Often, discussion about religion centers on controversial cultural issues such as prayer in schools. Below are some resources from ReligionLink, a service of Religion Newswriters, addressing these issues. Although ReligionLink is designed for journalists, the information applies to educators as well.
- Whether abstinence-only sex education successfully decreases teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases is always a flashpoint issue. ReligionLink recently covered a pair of new studies reveals a complex answer suggesting complex answers. ReligionLink also covered abstinence-only sex education after a 2007 survey reported an increase in the U.S. teen birth rate.
- Homeschooling is booming, with religious and moral motivations pushing the trend. ReligionLink gathered resources, experts and background information about this growing segment of the educational world.
- Public schools and universities across the country consider Muslim students’ requests for religious accommodation during Ramadan, the holy month of prayer and fasting. ReligionLink covered recent controversies surrounding these accommodations and why the discussion matters.
- Public schools have emerged as a leading venue where divisions over sexual orientation are playing out. ReligionLink addressed state legislation, lawsuits and school district policies that grapple with several areas of concern.
- Students bring a vast array of spiritual beliefs to college campuses. But diversity can be complicated because it leads to questions about the implications of religious pluralism.
- In 2002, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Cleveland school voucher program in a decision that President Bush called a “landmark ruling” for parents, many voucher supporters thought a clear victory had been won. The road, however, has been much rockier.
- Teaching About Religion: Worldview Education offers resources regarding contemporary issues such as teaching intelligent design in science classes, embryonic stem cell research and the wording of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance.
- PBS broadcasts Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, delivering news coverage and analysis of national and international events in the religious world. Their website was an Official Honoree in the 2010 Webby Awards under the Religion and Spirituality category.
