An Inquiry into the Justification for Full-Time Religious Schools in the Liberal Democratic State

This chapter has seven parts. First, I introduce a thought experiment, and I discuss its implications for the justifications for full-time religious primary and secondary schools in the liberal state. Next, I look at six diff erent justifications for full-time religious education and find them lacking. Finally, I argue that the justification for religious education must come from liberalism itself and not from religion. I also explore the educational requirements of liberal citizenship and show how these must constrain the practices of full-time religious schools, and I examine the implications of this argument for the enablement and support of full-time religious schools in liberal societies.