Faith Ed

Faith Ed follows journalist Linda K. Wertheimer's investigation into how American public schools teach about world religions. Through visits to classrooms across the United States, she documents approaches to religious literacy education and examines both successful programs and controversial incidents. The narrative centers on several specific school districts and their experiences incorporating religious education into their curricula. Wertheimer interviews students, parents, teachers, and administrators while observing firsthand how different communities navigate the challenges of teaching about diverse faiths in a secular educational setting. Wertheimer weaves her own experiences as a Jewish student in a predominantly Christian Ohio school throughout her reporting. Her personal story provides context for the broader examination of religious education in America's public school system. The book raises fundamental questions about the separation of church and state, the role of schools in promoting cultural understanding, and how education can address religious intolerance in an increasingly diverse society. Through its exploration of these complex issues, Faith Ed contributes to ongoing discussions about religious literacy in American education.

Readers appreciate the balanced, journalistic approach to examining how religion is taught in US public schools. Multiple reviewers note the book presents diverse perspectives without pushing an agenda. Readers highlight: - Clear documentation of real classroom experiences - Historical context for religious education debates - Personal stories that illustrate broader issues - Focus on practical teaching methods Main criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited geographic scope (mostly Northeast US) - Could have explored more religions/communities - Lacks concrete recommendations for educators Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (47 ratings) Kirkus Reviews reader rating: 4/5 Sample reader comment: "The author presents multiple viewpoints respectfully while maintaining journalistic objectivity. Great insights into how different schools approach this challenging topic." - Goodreads reviewer Critical comment: "Good reporting but needed more diverse geographic representation beyond New England and Texas." - Amazon reviewer

Teaching About World Religions by Stephen Prothero A guide to approaching religious education in public schools through constitutional, pedagogical, and cultural frameworks.

God in the Classroom by Warren Nord An examination of religion's role in American education and the complexities of teaching religious literacy while maintaining church-state separation.

Gods in the Global Village by Lester R. Kurtz A sociological analysis of world religions in contemporary society and their intersection with educational systems.

Taking Religion to School by Frances R.A. Paterson A historical account of religious controversy in American public education from the 19th century through modern times.

The New Religious Intolerance by Martha C. Nussbaum An investigation into religious prejudice in educational settings and strategies for fostering understanding across faith traditions.

🔹 Linda K. Wertheimer spent three years visiting diverse schools across America, from rural Texas to urban California, documenting how they approach teaching about world religions. 🔹 The author's personal interest in religious education stems partly from her childhood experience of being one of the only Jewish students in her Ohio public school. 🔹 A controversy in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where elementary school students visited a mosque as part of a social studies field trip, served as one of the key inspirations for writing the book. 🔹 The book reveals that only 10% of Americans can correctly answer basic questions about the world's major religions, highlighting the need for religious literacy education. 🔹 Faith Ed examines a landmark 1948 Supreme Court case, McCollum v. Board of Education, which established important precedents about teaching religion in public schools.