ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the processes that helped shape the religious identity of a youth whose lived experiences and identities represent multiple cultures and religious affiliations. It examines a young woman’s engagements in multicultural and multi-faith spaces and related religious literacy practices across time. Religious life is a key context for developing sophisticated language and literacy competencies that are beneficial to literacy engagements in school and other social contexts. The concept of embodied practices of religion and spirituality as an identity-making process is also supported by research. Theory and research confirm that formal knowledge of sacred texts; embodied practices; sustained engagement, including dialogue, in religious communities of practice; and identity agents, such as parents and religious teachers, are key to youths’ generation of religious identity. The chapter discusses deeper knowledge about why and how religious leaders and other identity agents are important in youths coming to religious faith.
