In "Overcoming Religious Illiteracy," Harvard professor and Phillips Academy teacher Diane L. Moore argues that though the United States is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world, the vast majority of citizens are woefully ignorant about religion itself and the basic tenets of the world's major religious traditions. The consequences of this religious illiteracy are profound and include fueling the culture wars, curtailing historical understanding and promoting religious and racial bigotry. In this volume, Moore combines theory with practice to articulate how to incorporate the study of religion into the schools in ways that will invigorate classrooms and enhance democratic discourse in the public sphere.

Reviews

"Moore's new book is a vitally important contribution to the growing international literature on educating the public-especially the young-about religions. At a time when learning about religion is being debated in Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries and when international bodies such as UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Office for Security and Cooperation in Europe are giving close attention to teaching and learning about religions, Moore's important book will attract much attention internationally."-- Robert Jackson, DLitt Director, Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of Warwick and Editor of the "British Journal of Religious Education"

"Moore has brought insight, clarity, common sense, and long experience to one of the most important and contentious issues of our day-the question of religion in the public schools. Religious literacy goes to the heart of the purpose of education in a democracy that can no longer afford to remain uneducated about the world's religions. This book is a must-read for teachers, school administrators, parents, and every citizen concerned with the quality of American education."--Diana L. Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies and Director of The Pluralism Project, Harvard University

"Moore's lucid, thoughtful book wrestles with a fundamental educational question-what should we teach our children? She argues persuasively the critical importance of religious literacy for survival in the 21st century and goes deeply into the contentious debates around the teaching of religion in public schools. Moore convinces that we keep the teaching of world religions out of our schools at our own peril. Read it, debate it, act on it."--Steve Seidel, Bauman and Bryant Chair in Arts and Education, Graduate School of Education, and Director of Project Zero, Harvard University

"In a world fraught with religious and cultural conflicts, Moore models how to teach