With religious diversity on the increase, Christmas carols and crosses have raised controversies for America's public schools. But debate has been raised to a new level by an Arabic "themed" school in Brooklyn, New York and a Hebrew "charter" school in Hollywood, Florida. "Another school year, another round of controversy about religion in public education" reads an article in this coming Sunday's New York Times Nagazine about the two schools. Both schools say they will focus only on language and culture. Critics say it's inevitable they'll be teaching Islam and Judaism at taxpayer expense. It's question as old as the Constitution. Are there guidelines to help public schools from crossing the line that separates church and state?
Language, Culture - and God - in Public Education
Credits
Guests:
- Noah Feldman - Professor of Law, Harvard University
- Mona Eltahawy - syndicated columnist - @monaeltahawy
- Kevin 'Seamus' Hasson - Attorney with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
- Barry W. Lynn - Americans United for Separation of Church and State