An Educator's Classroom Guide To America's Religious Beliefs And Practices

Today, with all of the controversies surrounding religion in the schools and in the public sphere, it would seem more important than ever that teachers and librarians have a quick source of up-to-date, correct, unbiased information to give to patrons and students. The authors of this book (all are or have been professors of religion at various well- known universities) offer just that. The book is arranged to cover most of the known (and little-known) religions in America. Each section includes: Origins, Beliefs, Sacred Book/Scriptures, Practices, Main Subgroups, Common Misunderstandings and Stereotypes, Classroom Concerns, Population Data, and Further Readings. Though there are many guides to religions, this book has the unique advantage of looking at each religion as it may affect the classroom and other student groups and activities.

VOYA

Religious discussion permeates every level of society, including the classroom. The authors' primary purpose in creating this helpful resource is to supply the public school teacher with accurate, at-a-glance information about religious beliefs in North America. The authors detail more than twenty religions, religious movements, or religious traditions ranging from African American Christianity to Zoroastrianism. Entries are arranged alphabetically, and each is divided into topics such as Sacred Books/Scripture, Common Misunderstandings and Stereotypes, and Classroom Concerns. Entries contain endnotes and print and online suggestions for further reading. Two appendixes-a paradigmatic school district policy on religion in schools and an interfaith calendar-round out the book's contents. This book does an exemplary job of combining correct, impartial information from authoritative sources with much-welcomed brevity. All three authors are university professors with backgrounds in comparative religion. They cover the broad scope of Christianity well, and the pieces are surprisingly detailed considering their brief length. But they shortchange other religions that have an affect in North America public schools. The authors' choices on what to include and exclude are mystifying. Although they admirably profile oft-ignored Rastafarianism and Baha'i, they also include entries for New Age and the amorphous Fundamentalism. The authors welcome suggestions for future editions, so hope remains for the inclusion of individual entries on African Caribbean religions such as Santerfa and the main subgroups of Judaism and Islam. Despite these faults, this reviewer knows no equal for the busy researcherwho yearns for Wikipedia's ease but shuns its dubious quality. Reviewer: Angelica Delgado

BENJAMIN J. HUBBARD ( Ph.D., University of Iowa) is professor emeritus of comparative religion at California State University, Fullerton where he was department chair for 15 years. He has been a frequent contributor on religion-related issues to the Los Angeles Times/Orange County and the Orange County Register. His specialties include Judaic studies, the interfaith movement, and religion and media studies.

JOHN T. HATFIELD (Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University) is professor emeritus of Ethnic and Women's' Studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is a past president of the American Academy of Religion's Western Region and of the Far Western Philosophy of Religion Society. His special interests include Native American religion, and religion and public education.

JAMES A. SANTUCCI (Ph.D., Australian National University) is professor and chair of the Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, Fullerton. For nearly 20 years he has edited the journal Theosophical History. He is an expert on Theosophy and other non-traditional religious movements, as well as the religions of South Asia (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism).