Beyond coexistence

Abstract

Toward a more ref lective religious pluralism su zan n e r o s e n b l i t h Clemson University, South Carolina, USA ab s t rac tIf a pluralistic democratic state such as the United States wishes to move beyond coexistence and toward a more reflective religious pluralism, then public schools must take epistemic issues seriously. Taking a cue from multicultural education, many have called for including the study of religion from a cultural perspective. I argue instead that, while studying religion from a cultural perspective is necessary, for a comprehensive education in religious studies it is not sufficient. In order to enable our youngest generation with the skills and tools to be knowledgeable, thoughtful and respectful citizens, students must grapple with the thorny matter of religious truths. k e ywo r d s education, multiculturalism, public education, religious pluralism, truthMutual respect requires a widespread willingness and ability to articulate our disagreements, to defend them before people with whom we disagree, to discern the difference between respectable and disrespectable disagreement, and to be open to changing our own minds when faced with well reasoned-criticism. (Gutmann, 1994: 24)