Conducts an ethnographic study, collecting life stories from people with mental retardation living at London's L' Arche community (a center of group homes with disabled and nondisabled residents). Uses Robert Cole's methodology of interpretive narrative, and explains the procedure. Argues that these life stories provide insight that can help…

This article discusses Supreme Court cases bearing upon the legal parameters for permissible government regulation of religious elementary and secondary schools. Two legal strategies of religious interests, traditional and radical, are described, followed by a discussion of strategies at the state level. (TE)

Notes that traditional views of nineteenth century comparative education (a period of Eurocentric "borrowing") neglect western selection and transfer of educational models to the Third World ("selective lending"). Traces the first three decades of colonial Zaire's experience--beginning in 1877--which illustrate the…

Considers the role of lay vocation (here broadly defined as the servanthood of nonordained persons within and without the church) in everyday life and religious education. Discusses the relationship between lay vocation and the holiness movement, a perfectionist doctrine that arose in U.S. Protestantism in the late 19th century. (MJP)

Articulates an ethical and theological basis for ethnographic research in faith communities. Interviews with nine ethnographers reveal that both research and researcher are changed by the research act. Argues that ethnography is an opportunity for ministry that is empowering and educational. (MJP)

Argues that too often liturgy and religious education posit an idyllic notion of the reign of God and fail to address the injustice, oppression, and violence endemic to much of modern life. This amounts to a dichotomy between the sacred and the secular. Proposes several corrective measures. (MJP)

Examines and defines the world of play for children and considers what lessons and applications this might have for adults and their spirituality. Particularly notes that the "what-if" and "as-if" dimensions of play can be used as energizing and liberating aspects of a more active adult spirituality. (MJP)

Examines the ways in which African Americans link personal stories with biblical and heritage stories to decide future life directions. Maintains that these activities help people develop a spirituality of hope and restore relational contexts for storytelling and story listening in an age where these contexts have disappeared. (MJP)

Observes the pitfalls and possibilities of using feature films as educational tools for religious exploration. Praises film for its ability to synthesize a number of cultural, moral, and narrative elements. Lists several simplistic and reductionist approaches to be avoided. (MJP)

Asserts that there has been growing interest in the last three decades in public education and its relationship to democracy. Discusses the development and importance of schools established by the Society of the Sacred Heart in frontier Saint Louis. Concludes that these schools pushed the limits of universal education. (ACM)

Examines the nature and activities of the Christian Schools Campaign. The campaign worked to influence educational legislation in England concerning public funding for religious-based schools. Assess the campaign's effectiveness in influencing the 1993 Education Act, which opened the possibility of public funding. (MJP)

Explores three characteristics of the Catholic tradition that offer students ways to become more attentive to role of faith in their lives. These include the juxtaposition of faith and reason, the movement towards inclusivity, and an understanding of sacrament as the mediation of the Divine through bodiliness. (MJP)

Discusses the educational philosophy of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and its impact upon the women of Nigeria and Ghana. This religious instruction allowed them to attain a liberated means of self-expression and leadership faithful to their cultural heritage as African women and their formation as Christians. (MJP)

Examines the relationship between indicators of collective identity (collective self-esteem, religious involvement, involvement in ethnic organizations) and prejudice towards the other group among Jewish and Arab college students. Collective identity variables largely were unrelated to prejudice among the Jewish students. Findings for the Arab…