What We Can Teach When We Teach (About) Religion

Abstract

Given the increasing diversity of religious beliefs and outlooks in the United States, John Dewey’s proposals regarding “a common faith” can help educators provide the tools for their students to think critically about these and other issues related to the changing religious landscape. Particular attention is given to three groups of students: those who are adherents of dogmatic or exclusivist religious communities; those who share the belief that no legitimate value judgments about religious faith are possible; and those religiously unaffiliated students who feel excluded from the possibility of religious faith.