This article describes the difficult times for faculty members and others who are committed to academic freedom. Among a number of examples, the author presents the bills introduced by state legislatures across the country that aim to restrict faculty activity in the name of protecting student freedom. Such legislative initiatives use the language…

The differences between inquiry from a religious perspective and from a nonreligious perspective are examined, and specific implications that these differences may have for curriculum inquiry are discussed. Two separate viewpoints are presented. (JN)

Reports on the origins and importance of the "Three Doctrines Discussions" of the Chinese Tang dynasty (618-960). Shows how their evolution and decline parallel shifts in the balance of political power. Argues that these debates functioned rhetorically to enhance and legitimate the emperor's political power. (HB)

The two religion clauses of the First Amendment of the Constitution clearly declared the objectives of the framers, toleration and separation, but the means whereby these objectives were to be achieved were left to be decided through the dynamic processes of the courts. The history of these two clauses reveals that Americans are still seeking to…

This speech describes one superintendent's attempt to resolve a community disagreement concerning Christmas concerts held at Manhasset, New York, elementary schools the previous December. The newly appointed superintendent formed a nine-member, blue-ribbon task force, headed by a liberal Catholic, to study existing school district policies and…

Addresses the question of whether student prayer groups should be allowed to use school facilities. The Equal Access Act allows all noncurricular student groups to meet, whereas four federal appellate court decisions ban prayer groups on the basis that separation between church and state outweighs students' right to free speech. (WTH)

Supports teaching literature from a religious point of view. (JL)

Addresses the world population problem by highlighting three crucial areas: the relationship between population growth control and national security issues, the role of American leadership in resolving the problem, and the barriers to effective action. One barrier discussed in detail is the Roman Catholic Church's stand on abortion and…

Observes that efforts to censor young adult literature in the schools are continuing. Reviews recent controversies concerning attempts to remove particular books from schools. Examines the role of school administrators and the religious right in book-banning campaigns. Concludes that censors have succeeded by dividing and conquering their…

In 1925, Williams Jennings Bryan, a former congressman from Nebraska and a former Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson, spent two agonizing weeks defending his religious faith that cost him his life a month after. Bryan was a prosecutor of high school teacher John Scopes, who had violated Tennessee state law by teaching the theory of evolution.…

Discusses the types of current confrontations regarding censorship in the schools and lists several reasons why issues involving censorship are occurring more frequently in recent years. (CHC)

A profound clash of values is occurring in public schools. Although specific disputes revolve around religion, creationism, sex education, values education, and educational reform, broader battle concerns public school's role in ensuring balanced, open curriculum that provides for free exchange of ideas. Will toleration emerge as critical national…

Included in the many problems of current televangelism which are cause for concern are the constant appeals for donations. Under current circumstances, with tremendous sums of money needed to use television for religious purposes, televangelists resort to sensationalism for mass appeal rather than to spreading the gospel. This ethical problem…

Discusses difficulties the author encountered teaching literature to physics students in a Catholic college. Presents methods used to clarify for physics students difficulties emerging from a tension between Catholic theology designed to confer a "Christian identity" on students and a particular way of teaching physics, literature, and other…

Describes fifteenth-century Spain's tendencies that proved central to the Columbian enterprise: experience as a conquering and colonizing kingdom, interest in Atlantic expansion, and missionary inclination. Argues that Columbus's arrival in Spain came at the perfect time in Spanish history. Stresses Spain's long history of religious war, conquest,…