Teaching about religion in public schools can be risky, but it’s worth it

On Friday, a Virginia school system made news by shutting down in response to hate mail and other backlash about a world geography lesson on Islam. Some parents had vehemently protested an assignment for students to practice calligraphy by writing the shahada, or Muslim statement of faith. While such a dramatic reaction from administrators may be unprecedented, teachers facing controversy as they try to teach about religion is common.

In this case, like others, school district officials stood by the teacher. Educating about religion has long been a part of the curriculum in Virginia schools and elsewhere. Most states passed standards during the past two decades requiring that students be educated about the world’s religions as part of social studies and geography. Some teachers were teaching about world religions long before the standards existed.

In writing a book about schools’ efforts to teach about religion, I found that Islam is singled out for fear in the classroom. Regardless of the teacher’s approach, opponents often claim that children are being indoctrinated into a faith they see as evil. Many argue against teaching Islam by saying they feel public schools have abandoned Christianity.

While schools have steadfastly refuted claims of indoctrination, the controversies reveal a reality: Teaching about religion is complicated. With lots of gray areas.

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