The Ambiguous Embrace: Government and Faith-Based Schools and Social Agencies

Description

This text demonstrates that faith-based schools and social agencies have been particularly effective, especially in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable. However, many oppose providing public funds for religious institutions, either on the grounds that it would threaten the constitutional separation of church and state or from concern it might dilute or secularize the distinctive character of the institutions themselves. Charles Glenn tackles these arguments head on. He builds a comprehensive case for faith-based organizations playing a far more active role in American schools and social agencies. And, most importantly, he shows that they could do so both while receiving public funds and while striking a workable balance between accountability and autonomy.

Charles L. Glenn is Professor and Chairman of Administration, Training, and Policy Studies at Boston University School of Education. His previous books include The Myth of the Common School, Choice of School in Six Nations, Educational Freedom in Eastern Europe, and Educating Immigrant Children. Peter L. Berger is University Professor and Director of the Institute for the Study of Economic Culture at Boston University

"[T]houghtful and thought provoking."--Raymond Rohrer Roberts, Christian Century