Differing moral views are dividing the country and polarizing the left and the right more than ever before. This book offers unique solutions to improve communication and understanding between the two factions to fix our fractured political system. Morality is at the heart of political contention in American society. Unfortunately, our polarized belief systems severely inhibit the achievement of bipartisan compromises. A Battlefield of Values: America's Left, Right, and Endangered Center provides a candid but nonjudgmental examination of what people think and believe-and how this informs our divisions over core values. By addressing how individuals believe rather than how they vote, the book illuminates why 21st-century America is so conflicted politically and religiously; exposes what matters most to those on the right and left of the political, religious, and cultural spectrum; explains why the members of the endangered center in American life-the moderates-are struggling to make sense of the great divide between conflicting ideologies; and predicts how a degree of reconciliation and detente might be possible in the future. Authors Stephen Burgard and Benjamin J. Hubbard build a powerful case for how authentic communication between political factions is integral to bettering our society as a whole. Along the way, they illustrate the impact of religion and media on American belief systems and also explore the inability of news media to serve as mediators of this dilemma. This work will fascinate lay readers seeking perspective on our current political stalemate as well as serve college students taking courses in political science, communications, journalism, anthropology, or religious studies. Provides a unique analysis that shows how our seemingly irreconcilable differences can be turned into assets for transforming the United States into a better country Offers informed perspectives of American conflict from authors with more than 50 years of experience combined in their respective fields Explores a future using religion, technology, and science to mend distrust and tune up our political system Presents information and concepts appropriate for an academic lesson plan or for any civics-savvy reader

Today, with all of the controversies surrounding religion in the schools and in the public sphere, it would seem more important than ever that teachers and librarians have a quick source to up to date, correct, unbiased information to give to patrons and students and to inform their classroom practices. The authors of this book (all are or have been professors of religion at various well known universities) do just that. Using this dictionary of religion and culture, teacher will have access to the understanding they need to build unbiased classrooms.The idea for this book came out of the experience of practicing classroom teachers in public schools as they tried to build classroom environments grounded in respect for the many cultures and religions represented. In his foreword for the book, school administrator, David Hubbard discusses the need to develop the trained eye in educators so that they can see their classrooms from the perspective of persons from all religious beliefs. The book is arranged to cover most all of the known (and little known) religions in America from the Bahai Faith to Zoroastrianism. Each section covers topics: Origins, Beliefs, Sacred Book/Scriptures, Practices, Main Subgroups, Common Misunderstandings and Stereotypes, Classroom Concerns, Population Data and Further Readings as well as noting current web page addresses if available. Though there are many guides to religions in America, this book has the unique niche of looking at each religion as it may affect teacher practice in the classroom and other student groups-thus its appeal to public and school libraries as well as classroom teachers and other youth leaders.

Today, with all of the controversies surrounding religion in the schools and in the public sphere, it would seem more important than ever that teachers and librarians have a quick source of up-to-date, correct, unbiased information to give to patrons and students. The authors of this book (all are or have been professors of religion at various well known universities) offer just that. The book is arranged to cover most all of the known (and little known) religions in America.

Today, with all of the controversies surrounding religion in the schools and in the public sphere, it would seem more important than ever that teachers and librarians have a quick source of up-to-date, correct, unbiased information to give to patrons and students. The authors of this book (all are or have been professors of religion at various well- known universities) offer just that. The book is arranged to cover most of the known (and little-known) religions in America. Each section includes: Origins, Beliefs, Sacred Book/Scriptures, Practices, Main Subgroups, Common Misunderstandings and Stereotypes, Classroom Concerns, Population Data, and Further Readings. Though there are many guides to religions, this book has the unique advantage of looking at each religion as it may affect the classroom and other student groups and activities.