Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying

“With the tremendous increase in hate crimes based on religion the world over, it is urgent to understand the issue of religious bullying among young people, and attempt to prevent it in school when the seeds are often planted. Alice Chan’s book on religious literacy as a means of combating religious bullying will not only serve as a tool for addressing bias-based aggressive behavior but also makes a timely and significant contribution in filling the gap in literature in religious bullying. This research indicates that courses on religious literacy have potential, but they are not sufficient in preventing bullying. The intersection of several factors makes it essential to have a social and structural environment that supports the educational strategies.”

-- Dr. Ratna Ghosh, Distinguished James McGill Professor and W.C. Macdonald Professor of Education, McGill University, Canada

"Religious diversity is an important element of contemporary social life. It is therefore vital that there is space for religious identities and practices in social institutions, civil society and everyday exchanges between people. Drawing on empirical research in California and Quebec, Alice Chan makes a compelling argument for religious literacy as a key to living together. Chan makes a passionate argument for the case that religious literacy enhances the possibility of better understanding one another and as a consequence a richer and more inclusive society."

-- Dr. Lori G. Beaman, Canada Research Chair in Religious Diversity and Social Change, Professor in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies at the University of Ottawa, and Director of the Nonreligion in a Complex Future Project

"In Alice Chan’s wonderful book, Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying, she asks one basic question: Can religious literacy inform religious bullying? Her answer is an unmistakable YES. However, the yes also reflects a well-researched understanding of complexity. Chan shows us how knowledge can help and hurt depending on how it is taught, learned, and experienced in specific communities. Using two case studies seldom if ever compared—Modesto, California and Montreal, Quebec—Chan looks at curriculum and at the context in which that curriculum is taught and learned. Making it clear that bullying, religious or otherwise, comes from multiple sources, Chan provides a thoroughly researched guide for educators and anyone concerned with building a diverse, respectful, and thoughtful community."

-- James W. Fraser, Professor of History and Education, New York University, USA

“With the tremendous increase in hate crimes based on religion the world over, it is urgent to understand the issue of religious bullying among young people, and attempt to prevent it in school when the seeds are often planted. Alice Chan’s book on religious literacy as a means of combating religious bullying will not only serve as a tool for addressing bias-based aggressive behavior but also makes a timely and significant contribution in filling the gap in literature in religious bullying. This research indicates that courses on religious literacy have potential, but they are not sufficient in preventing bullying. The intersection of several factors makes it essential to have a social and structural environment that supports the educational strategies.”

-- Dr. Ratna Ghosh, Distinguished James McGill Professor and W.C. Macdonald Professor of Education, McGill University, Canada

"Religious diversity is an important element of contemporary social life. It is therefore vital that there is space for religious identities and practices in social institutions, civil society and everyday exchanges between people. Drawing on empirical research in California and Quebec, Alice Chan makes a compelling argument for religious literacy as a key to living together. Chan makes a passionate argument for the case that religious literacy enhances the possibility of better understanding one another and as a consequence a richer and more inclusive society."

-- Dr. Lori G. Beaman, Canada Research Chair in Religious Diversity and Social Change, Professor in the Department of Classics and Religious Studies at the University of Ottawa, and Director of the Nonreligion in a Complex Future Project

"In Alice Chan’s wonderful book, Teaching Religious Literacy to Combat Religious Bullying, she asks one basic question: Can religious literacy inform religious bullying? Her answer is an unmistakable YES. However, the yes also reflects a well-researched understanding of complexity. Chan shows us how knowledge can help and hurt depending on how it is taught, learned, and experienced in specific communities. Using two case studies seldom if ever compared—Modesto, California and Montreal, Quebec—Chan looks at curriculum and at the context in which that curriculum is taught and learned. Making it clear that bullying, religious or otherwise, comes from multiple sources, Chan provides a thoroughly researched guide for educators and anyone concerned with building a diverse, respectful, and thoughtful community."

-- James W. Fraser, Professor of History and Education, New York University, USA