Category Archives: Latest News and Press

Grooming a Religiously Literate Next Generation: Faith Ed Heads to #2018PoWR Parliament of World Religions

  October 15, 2018 - 1:59 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter
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The need for improving religious literacy is higher than it’s ever been, given frequent reports of acts of religious bigotry, whether they’re aimed at Jews, Muslims, Sikhs or others, in the United States.

The Boston suburb of Reading recently had a rally against hate in response to swastikas found in the town’s high school. Someone had drawn them on a science table. This was just the latest in a string of incidents there, … Continue reading →

Speaking as a Religious Minority in Mormon Country

  July 1, 2018 - 5:16 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter, Updates
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Our stories were different, and yet Ossama, Sahar, Haroon and I had a commonality in our experiences. We all were religious minorities in America. Each of us had dealt with being stereotyped or maligned because we were not Christian and because those around us knew so little about our faiths. We knew too of incidents that had affected Muslims, Jews and other religious minorities in our own communities or nearby towns. Continue reading →

How Can Teachers Navigate Religion Without Controversy? Faith Ed Tour Continues

  November 3, 2017 - 11:21 am | Latest News and Press, Newsletter, Updates
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In the aftermath of the 2016 election and the rise in Islamophobic rhetoric, many educators have become well aware that they have to work even harder to educate themselves and the communities they serve about why they teach about world religions and how they’re doing it. Using Faith Ed and the reporting trips I did around the country, I prove some tips on how to avoid landing in controversy when teaching about religion, especially when Islam is on the lesson plan.
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Faith Ed Makes National TV & Other News

  May 9, 2017 - 2:34 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter, Updates
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Church/state battles rage on in America, and last week, author Linda K. Wertheimer spoke about religion and public schools on Primetime Justice with Ashleigh Banfield. Read more Faith Ed related news in the newsletter. Continue reading →

Writing for Change in Trump’s America

  April 4, 2017 - 4:48 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter
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Greetings to new and old subscribers,

When you don’t hear for me for quite a while, it’s usually because I’m busily writing this and that. Our country’s polarization has made me even more determined to write commentaries and articles that will provoke thought and ideally, prompt change in some way. That’s not that unusual, I guess, for a long-time journalist, but these times make the job of a writer more urgent.

In the past few weeks, I’ve published a few pieces. One continues the themes I wrote about in Faith Ed. While … Continue reading →

December Dilemma v. Thinking Broadly about Religion in Schools

  January 9, 2017 - 2:57 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter, Updates
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As I write this, K-12 schools are wrapping up classes or may have already finished them for winter breaks. In elementary schools, no doubt, many teachers have felt compelled to mention Christmas and Hanukkah in some way.

Look at the photo above, though. First-grade teacher Debbie Fagg at the Minneha Core Knowledge Magnet Elementary School in Wichita, KS, is teaching about Hanukkah in early November as part of a multi-week unit on three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. She brought the menorah … Continue reading →

Reflections from a Religion Writing Conference, Plus Major Award for Faith Ed

  October 7, 2016 - 12:54 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter, Updates
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Faith Ed wins a national religion book award and the author’s reflections on a national religion writing conference. Continue reading →

Faith Ed Book Review, Interview Round-up

  May 24, 2016 - 2:10 am | Latest News and Press
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Here are links to book reviews, when available online, and interviews:

Jewish Book Council review.

Boston Globe review by Kate Tuttle.

Wichita Eagle Review by former religion editor Tom Schaefer.

New York Times Sunday Book Review by Naomi Schaefer Reilly.

 Religion & Education has reviewed Faith Ed. and given it a nod in a foreword, too. Many thanks to the journal editor Mike Waggoner and reviewer Nicholas Piediscalzi. Here’s a snippet from the review, which also included Dr. Piediscalzi’s wonderful insight about … Continue reading →

Weighing in on Anti-Semitic chants, Brussels & More

  March 23, 2016 - 1:16 pm | Latest News and Press, Newsletter
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Once again, recent terrorist attacks highlight the need for more education about religion, so do events closer to home. Read the latest Faith Ed. newsletter to find out more & keep up with events. Continue reading →