What is the one belief about religion held by both cognitive scientist Daniel Dennett and christian conservative Charles Colson? That it should be taught in public schools. Boston University religion department chair Stephen Prothero makes the case in his new book Religious Literacy, arguing that Americans remain "the most religiously ignorant people in the Western world." His solution? Require high school courses in the Bible and world religion, educating Americans on a topic that will allow "more understanding" and more knowledgable "democratic engagement."

That's the kind of argument liberals can love, right? Knowledge designed to empower young people to make their own decisions and to foster communication across cultural divides. Prothero sure makes it sound simple. But is it?