To the Point
Teaching Religion in Public Schools
One of the biggest costs of America's wars over religion is ignorance. Polls show that many Americans know little about the world's major religions, including their own. What role does the study of religion play in schools? Do the media have a responsibility to do more in-depth reporting on religion as a way to better understand the role that religious beliefs play in conflicts and foreign policy? Also, a Moscow tycoon is convicted of embezzlement, and pressures mount on the president of the Ivory Coast to step down. Sara Terry guest hosts.
By Sara Terry • • 51m ListenOne of the biggest costs of America's wars over religion is ignorance. Polls show that many Americans know little about the world's major religions, including their own. What role does the study of religion play in schools? Do the media have a responsibility to do more in-depth reporting on religion as a way to better understand the role that religious beliefs play in conflicts and foreign policy? Also, a Moscow tycoon is convicted of embezzlement, and one month on, the election crisis in Ivory Coast could mean renewed conflict in West Africa.. Sara Terry guest hosts.
Banner image of Students at Harry S. Truman Elementary School in Allentown, Pennsylvania: Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Office Max
In this episode
3 storiesMoscow Tycoon Convicted of Embezzlement
In Moscow today, Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been found guilty on embezzlement charges. The former billionaire oil tycoon, who was once Russia's richest man, is already serving a prison sentence for tax fraud. The Khordokovsky trials are widely seen, both within and without Russia, as an indicator of who's controlling power behind the scenes.
Read the story8 minThe Cost of Ignorance: Teaching Religion in Public Schools
Public nativity scenes and debates about language dominate the culture wars this time of year but, amid the skirmishes over proper greetings and public displays of religious belief, one of the most overlooked casualties is the fact that Americans are surprisingly ignorant about the world's major religions.
Read the story35 minThe Latest on the Turmoil in Ivory Coast
Nearly a month after the presidential run-off election in the Ivory Coast, President Laurent Gbagbo shows no sign of giving up power, even though his opponent, Alassane Ouattara, is widely perceived as the victor.
Read the story8 min
