ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an enhanced awareness of strategies for addressing the status of teaching about religion in rapidly diversifying public elementary and secondary school settings. It focuses on the status of both religion, education as essential for human development. Religion, typically defined as a belief in some form of a higher being, supernatural power, has seemingly always occupied a central role in the lives of humans and the societies or cultures. In fact, high-profile stories are often in the news addressing controversies dealing with the status of religion in public elementary and secondary schools, whether allowing it to be taught, permitting students to pray and engage in religious activities. The chapter aims to enhance educator awareness of issues involving the legal status of teaching religion in schools at a time when religious strife appears to be growing in many parts of the world.
