How one school district found religion

[Joel Sogol]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060522/cm_usatoday/howoneschooldistrictfoundreligion     Americans have never been in greater need of understanding religious differences and cultivating respect for religious freedom. The events of 9/11 transformed America's relationship with Muslims at home and abroad, a surge in immigration from Asia and Africa has increased the nation's religious diversity, and cultural conflicts between secularists and religious conservatives occur like clockwork.   So you might think the last thing school districts would want is to bring religion into the classroom. Better to play it safe, and avoid lawsuits and angry parents by limiting any mention of faith to the private sphere. But school officials in Modesto, in Northern California, decided not to play it safe. In 2000, the religiously diverse community took a risk and, in an almost unheard-of undertaking for a public school district, offered a required course on world religions and religious liberty for ninth-graders.     Joel L. Sogol Attorney at Law 811 21st Avenue Tuscaloosa, Alabama  35401 ph: (205) 345-0966 fx:  (205) 345-0971 email:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]     Ben Franklin observed that truth wins a fair fight -- which is why we have evidence rules in U.S. courts.

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