Defending Religious Diversity in Public Schools: A Practical Guide for Building Our Democracy and Deepening Our Education

by Nathan Kollar

Overview

This volume shows how and why our public schools should prepare to understand and deal with religious diversity in the United States and the world.

Defending Religious Diversity in Public Schools: A Practical Guide for Building Our Democracy and Deepening Our Education makes a powerful case for exposing students to the multiplicity of faiths practiced in the United States and around the world—then offers a range of practical solutions for promoting religious understanding and tolerance in the school environment.

Nathan Kollar's timely volume centers on the common issues associated with respecting religion in people's lives, including religious identities, the religious rights of students, bullying and other acts of intolerance, and legal perspectives on what should and should not happen in the classroom. It then focuses on the skills teachers, counselors, and administrators need to master to address those issues, including forming an advocacy coalition, listening, cultural analysis, conflict resolution, institutional development, choosing a leader, and keeping up to date with all the latest research developments from both the legal and educational communities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313359989
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	07/22/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	427 KB

About the Author

Nathan R. Kollar is professor emeritus of religious studies at St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY, adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Education, University of Rochester, NY, and cofounder and chair of the Board of the Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College, Rochester, NY.

What People are Saying About This

Daniel Di Domizio

Professor of Religious Studies

Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee

"Nathan Kollar has cut through the legal debates to address the core of the issue: people's attitudes towards religious diversity. Kollar not only marshals an impressive body of research, but he also provides strategies to address the formidable challenges to educating students to appreciate the religious 'other.' A most valuable resource for creating a genuine civility in this aspect of our public life."

—

Daniel Di Domizio

Professor of Religious Studies

Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI

V. V. Raman Emeritus Professor of Physics and Humanities

"Dr. Nathan Kollar has written a very timely book. As our nation grapples with the problems associated with our multi-faith framework, we need to reflect on ways to achieve the ideal of harmonious state in which people of different faiths can live in peace and with mutual respect. With specific examples and guidelines this book will help teachers in their efforts to inculcate sound enlightened values in our children towards that goal. Koller is inspired by the idea that 'If we are hurt because of our divisions, we and our children must be healed of these divisions.' Let us not forget that when we are no more they will have to either live in peace or in discord. This book must be read by ball educators."

Daniel Di Domizio Professor of Religious Studies Cardinal Stritch University Milwaukee

"Nathan Kollar has cut through the legal debates to address the core of the issue: people's attitudes towards religious diversity. Kollar not only marshals an impressive body of research, but he also provides strategies to address the formidable challenges to educating students to appreciate the religious 'other.' A most valuable resource for creating a genuine civility in this aspect of our public life."

V. V. RamanEmeritus Professor of Physics and Humanities

"Dr. Nathan Kollar has written a very timely book. As our nation grapples with the problems associated with our multi-faith framework, we need to reflect on ways to achieve the ideal of harmonious state in which people of different faiths can live in peace and with mutual respect. With specific examples and guidelines this book will help teachers in their efforts to inculcate sound enlightened values in our children towards that goal. Koller is inspired by the idea that 'If we are hurt because of our divisions, we and our children must be healed of these divisions.' Let us not forget that when we are no more they will have to either live in peace or in discord. This book must be read by ball educators."

Daniel Di DomizioProfessor of Religious StudiesCardinal Stritch UniversityMilwaukee

"Nathan Kollar has cut through the legal debates to address the core of the issue: people's attitudes towards religious diversity. Kollar not only marshals an impressive body of research, but he also provides strategies to address the formidable challenges to educating students to appreciate the religious 'other.' A most valuable resource for creating a genuine civility in this aspect of our public life."

Editorial Reviews

A carefully considered approach will contribute to the creation of an educated, pluralistic population where individuals are attentive, respectful, and hospitable to everyone, regardless of individuals' religious practices, and will help students develop the skills to listen to those who differ religiously from themselves. Kollar offers teachers, counselors, administrators, parents and other interested citizens a discussion of the issues and suggests a number of practical solutions for promoting religious understanding and tolerance in the school environment.” —Reference & Research Book News

From the Publisher