Teaching Religion in Sin City

Las Vegas is measured out in neon signs and billboards. The public charter school where I teach English and Comparative Religions is eight miles from the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. It is three miles from "Vegas Vic," the folksy neon cowboy on Fremont street. It is four miles from the Little Darlings strip club and its billion-bulb billboard, which in June of every year advertises employment opportunities to my graduating high school seniors: "Now hiring class of 20XX!"