A clear, accessible look at the Catholic perspective on public schooling in 19th‑century America.
This lecture by Thomas S. Preston surveys the issue from a Catholic viewpoint, arguing for religious education within a free, democratic society and outlining the grounds for state support of Catholic schools in a pluralist nation.
Grounded in the belief that faith and reason should be allowed to coexist, the talk contrasts Catholic teaching with Protestant approaches and discusses the role of revelation, the nature of faith, and the rights of families to educate their children in their creed. It also considers how different nations handle religious education and what that could mean for American policy.
- How Catholics see the proper place of faith in public life and education.
- Arguments for state support of religious schools without favoring a single denomination.
- Comparative look at education systems in France, Russia, England, and other nations.
- Practical considerations for civil rights, parental rights, and the common good.
Ideal for readers of history, religion, and education who want a window into 19th‑century debates about church and state in schooling.