Are you interested in how education about Hinduism in U.S. schools is viewed by Hindus, themselves? Do you appreciate learning from marginalized voices? Do you value historical insights? If any of these applies to you, then you will almost certainly appreciate Hindu at Heart: Education, Faith, and What it Means to Belong in America by […]
Book Review
Cross Purposes: Using Jonathan Rauch’s Book with High-Schoolers
Guest Post: Jon Resendez For most of my 18-year teaching career, I have taught Religious Studies classes to high school juniors and seniors at a public high school in Irvine, CA. One of the many challenges in teaching a class like this is that students come into the course from all faith backgrounds, including non-belief. [...]
Ten Theories of Religion: Book Review
Guest Blog: Jane Fitzpatrick, Contributing Writer for Religion Matters Ten Theories of Religion by Daniel L. Pals introduces several of the most commonly encountered themes in the study of religious traditions and a host of historically significant anthropological and philosophical attempts at defining religion. Pals originally published Seven Theories of Religion in 1996, and his […]
Ramadan Book Recommendations for Kids in Schools
Guest Post: Vicki Garlock, founder World Religions 4 Kids Ramadan is a month-long Islamic holy period that begins with the sighting of the new moon. During the month, observant Muslims fast during daylight hours, read the entire Qur’an, connect with family and friends, share with those in need, and visit the mosque for prayers and […]
Soul Hunters: Siberia and the Spirit World
Guest Blog: Jane Fitzpatrick, Contributing Writer for Religion Matters Danish anthropologist Rane Willerslev documented his personal experiences with a group of Siberian hunters called the Upper Kolyma Yukaghirs in his book, Soul Hunters. He primarily studied their hunting practices, which demonstrated the group’s distinct views of the world: spirits, along with humans and animals, persistently […]