Teaching Religion in the Schools - The Modesto Model

I seldom watch CBS News, but I caught this story tonight that struck me as hopeful. In a rather evangelical Christian community (Modesto, CA), the schools require ALL students to learn about the world's major religions in order to graduate. Very cool.



You can read the text of the report at the CBS News site.

Key quote:

"The United States is one of the most religious countries on Earth. And yet Americans know almost nothing about religion," said Stephen Prothero, author of a new book, "Religious Literacy."

Prothero believes Modesto should be a model for the country, because America is paying a price for knowing so little about the world's religions.

"Religious illiteracy imperils our Democracy at home and it puts to a huge test our ability to conduct foreign policy overseas," Prothero said. "What's going on now in Iraq and in Iran and in Burma - these are religious people acting for religious reasons."

Tags: Religion, education, culture, schools, Modesto, California, world religions, Stephen Prothero, CBS News