Defendants have adopted and are implementing content standards and a curriculum framework that are the foundation of the history-social science education provided to all California public school students. The content standards, adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) in 1998, explain the teachings of major world religions, their virtues and central figures, and the belief of adherents in the divine origins of their faiths. This is true for all religions covered except Hinduism, which is not portrayed as virtuous, does not include mention of religious figures, and is described as an “intellectual tradition” without reference to a belief in divine origins....East Bay Times reports on the lawsuit. [Thanks to Glenn Katon for the lead.]
Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Suit Challenges Treatment of Hinduism In California School Curriculum
Suit was filed this week in a California federal district court challenging on 1st and 14th Amendment grounds the treatment of Hinduism in the California public school curriculum. The complaint (full text) in California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials v. Torlakson, (N CA, filed 2/8/2017), contends: