Considers the question of family policy in terms of "conventional-progressive" interest group perspectives. The conventional perspective is that "family problems" are the result of "breakdown" and can be resolved by reestablishing the status quo ante. Progressive advocates argue that changes in citizens'…

This article is an update and expansion of "Can We Still Sing Christmas Carols in Public Schools?" published in MEJ in November 1976. It is a report of a survey to determine whether any significant new guidelines were being developed on the issue of using sacred music in schools. (Editor/KC)

This document contains four papers that address constitutional issues of religious diversity in the schools. The first paper, "Religious Diversity in the Schools--The Overview" (George J. Michel), provides an overview of religious diversity in American public schools, with a focus on the long history of cooperation with Christian churches. It…

Developments in the late 1830's and early 1840's concerning Franklin College, academic freedom, and slavery are traced. In the small eastern Ohio community of New Athens, there were political, economic, social, cultural, and religious influences that focused on the question of American slavery. The drama unfolded at the nondenominational but…

Recent trends and developments regarding the practice of religion in public schools are discussed in this report. Topics included are prayer, display of religious symbols and materials, holiday observances, weekend activities, distribution and study of scriptural literature, "parochiaid," and religious discrimination. The author…

Case law and the rulings of the National Labor Relations Board involving unit placement of religious faculty are reviewed. The rulings have been criticized by Roman Catholic religious orders as arbitrary, capricious, illogical, and illegal. Faculty unions wishing to exclude religious faculty from the bargaining unit have cited conflict of interest…

Analysis of a state-wide survey and in-depth interviews with 15 home school families in Oregon reveals that the impetus for home schooling may be tied to the effects of contemporary culture on personal belief. Characteristics of religious and New Age home school families are discussed. (BJV)

Observes the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on religion have been fairly consistent, but controversies arise from judicial interpretations of the Constitution's religious clauses. Traces history and development of major court decisions and religious issue rulings for both the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses. States religion in public schools…

Social studies textbooks currently used in Iran have been rewritten since 1979 to achieve the socialization of children into current Islamic political thought. An analysis of the content of current social studies textbooks concludes that explicitly political textbooks are used to teach state approved values and appropriate political behavior while…