Whose Kids Are They Anyway?: Religion and Morality in America's Public Schools

Raymond R. Roberts makes a liberals case for teaching religion and morality in public schools by first examining the intersection of religion and public education. He shows how proposals for moral education in public schools are shaped by definitions of religion. He argues that the public educations critics overstate the failures of public education because they examine public schools in isolation from negative trends in the family the economy the media etc. From there he describes how a theory of spheres of influence gives us a better perspective from which to understand public education including its relationship with religion. A thoughtful and provocative exploration of key worldviews that have helped shape the national debate about moral education in public schools. --Charles Haynes Senior Scholar First Amendment Center Dr. Roberts timely work effectively examines diverse religious perspectives that shape the moral education debate currently engaging our public schools . . . He directly confronts those issues related to religion and morality in the public schools in a democratic society. --Warren Strandberg Professor of Education Virginia Commonwealth University [Roberts] examines the sensitive subject of the role of public schools in the character formation of children. Through a theological lens [he] rejects the prominent myths associated with public school failure. --Jan Resseger Minister for Public Education and Witness Justice and Witness Ministries A Covenanted Ministry of the United Church of Christ Whose Kids Are They Anyway? ponders the issues of faith in public schools in a calm open-minded manner. If you are a believer in public education and also a believer in something larger than yourself Ray Roberts will show you the resolution of seemingly insolvable issues. --Gregg Easterbrook Senior Editor The New Republic author Beside Still Waters and Visiting Fellow The Brookings Institution [Roberts] exposition of competing views lays out typical alternatives in a clear and understandable way. His critique is fair and penetrating inviting discussion and further conversation. --C. Benton Kline President and Professor Theology Emeritus Columbia Theological Seminary A careful and illuminating analysis of some leading perspectives on the question and a promising way to move forward. --Douglas F Ottati M. E. Pemberton Professor of Theology Union Theological Seminary Richmond Virginia Raymond R. Roberts is a Presbyterian minister who has served congregations in Virginia and Pennsylvania and has served on several public education advisory panels at the state and local levels.