Religion and Public Education: Rival Liberal Conceptions

Abstract

Current liberal thought concerning the study of religion in public schools is divided. On the one hand there are thinkers like Warren Nord who argue that it is important to show respect toward religion in public schools, and that by not including the study of religion in public schools in a particular way, religion is grossly disrespected. On the other hand there are thinkers who appeal to John Rawls’s theory of political liberalism and argue for the exclusion of the study of religion in public schools. This view also holds that it is important to show respect toward religion; however, it contends that showing respect need not extend to the inclusion of the study of religion in public schools. Though both of these views sit comfortably underneath the liberal umbrella, neither view is one liberals ought to support. In both cases the kind of treatment they think religion must be accorded in public schools in order to show it respect is seriously flawed in ways that not only undermine their projects of treating religion respectfully, but also undermine any serious commitment to individual autonomy.