---
title: "Teaching About Religion in Public Schools: Where do We Go From Here?"
description: "Conference took place May 20-22, 2003 Freedom Forum Arlington, VA Keynote Speech Jon Butler, Yale University Teaching About Religion in Public Schools: History and Background on the U.S. Constitution Speakers: Charles Haynes, First Amendment Center Melissa Rogers, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Jennifer Norton, Argonaut High School Evelyn Holman, Bayshore, New York School […]"
date: "2003-05-20"
authors:
  - name: "Joseph Liu"
    job_title: "Guest Contributor"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2003/05/20/teaching-about-religion-in-public-schools-where-do-we-go-from-here/"
categories:
  - "Education"
  - "K-12"
  - "Religion & Government"
  - "Religion & Government"
  - "Religion & Politics"
---

# Teaching About Religion in Public Schools: Where do We Go From Here?

Conference took place May 20-22, 2003 Freedom Forum Arlington, VA

**Keynote Speech** Jon Butler, Yale University

**Teaching About Religion in Public Schools: History and Background on the U.S. Constitution** Speakers: Charles Haynes, First Amendment Center Melissa Rogers, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Jennifer Norton, Argonaut High School Evelyn Holman, Bayshore, New York School District

**Teaching About Religion Post 9/11** Speakers: Warren Nord, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Marjorie Green, Anti-Defamation League Joe Loconte, Heritage Foundation Shabbir Mansuri, Council on Islamic Education Mary Ellen Sikes, Institute for Humanist Studies Meera Viswanathan, Brown University

Moderator: E.J. Dionne, Jr., Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life

**Yes, But How? Teaching About Religion in History** Speakers: Susan Douglass, Council on Islamic Education Mynga Futrell, Objectivity, Accuracy, and Balance In Teaching About Religion Bruce Grelle, California State University-Chico Rebecca Hayes, Mary Washington College Kimberly Plummer, Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Moderator: Marcia Beauchamp, Education Consultant

**The Bible Controversy** Speakers: Barrett Duke, Jr., Southern Baptist Convention, Ethics and Religious Liberty Matthew Hicks, Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education David Levenson, Florida State University Judith Schaeffer, People for the American Way Christopher Thacker, Bible Literacy Project

Moderator: Melissa Rogers, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life

**Religion and Moral Education** Speakers: Linda McKay, U.S. Department of Education Marvin Berkowitz, University of Missouri, St. Louis Matthew Spalding, Heritage Foundation

Moderator: Diane Berreth, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

**Teaching About Religion: Beyond History** Speakers: Kathy Brownback, Phillips Exeter Academy Eric Holmes, Oak Hill Elementary Amanda Hughes, Ackland Museum Five Faiths Project

Moderator: Marcia Beauchamp, Education Consultant

**Religion and Science: Should Schools Teach the Controversy?** Speakers: Kent Greenawalt, Columbia University Law School Warren Nord, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Jay Wexler, Boston University Larry Witham, Journalist and Author

Moderator: Charles Haynes, First Amendment Center

**Preparing Teachers to Take Religion Seriously** Speakers: Judith Lessow-Hurley, San Jose State University Diane Moore, Harvard University Axel Ramirez, Utah Valley State College Sam Swofford, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Moderator: Charles Haynes, First Amendment Center

**Closing Comments** Moderators: Melissa Rogers, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Charles Haynes, First Amendment Center