The New Consensus Movement and Its Role in Overcoming the Controversy and Conflict over the Place of Religion in the U.S. Educational System

Religion-related controversies have a long history in American public education. In the 1980s the debate was dominated by a growing concern over the failure to address the issue of religion in the educational system. This motivated a number of political and religious bodies to convene to reach a consensus on the most fundamental issues concerning the place of religion in public schools. The result was the so called New Consensus on teaching about religion and religious liberty. The article presents the background of the movement, its provisions and impact on religious liberty in the US public educati