Mesa Charter School Teaches Religion, Group Says
A national group that advocates for the separation of church and state is criticizing one of Arizona’s oldest charter schools for using books that include controversial religious teachings in a 12th-grade history class.
Two books by Cleon Skousen, who is often cited by right-wing talk-show host Glenn Beck and the “tea party” movement, are required reading for seniors at Mesa-based Heritage Academy.
Skousen, a controversial figure who was prominent in the anti-communist movement of the 1950s and 1960s, wrote that God inspired America’s Founders to pen the Declaration of Independence, fight against British rule and develop the U.S. Constitution.
Two of his books, “The 5,000 Year Leap” and “The Making of America,” are required reading at Heritage.