Religious Education in Public School : Research Studies on the Situation in the United States

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In 2002 and 2003, I did the research on "Religious Education in the Public School" in Nashville, TN and San Francisco Bay Area. Because of the multi-cultural and multi-religious situation, the public school has reflected the value consciousness of the parents, and tended to become the "battle field" of culture war. Comparing to Japan, the United States has much necessity for the education on coexistence among the different religions.The separation of church and state in the United States prohibits the establishment of religion. However, the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion even in the public schools. American public opinion supports the education "about" religion in the public schools. Since the judge of the US Supreme Court in 1962, we cannot find any education about religion in the public schools.The main institution to promote the education about religion in the public school has not been the government or public school officials, but "the First Amendment Center" which is one of the private NGO. Here I can find the strength of democracy of the United States. In the near future, Japan may accept more immigrants, and multi-religious situation will increase. Japan should try to achieve the coexistence with the counties which believe many different religions. The education "about" religion in the public schools will become more important than now.