ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the place of religious and non-religious worldviews in education, in a world of religious and cultural diversity. It explains key concepts and provides a brief international overview. The chapter presents a summary history of religious education (RE) policy and practice in England. It explains the recommendations of recent reports, and explores a number of issues relating to religion in education, including the ‘faith schools’ debate. ‘RE’ is an ambiguous term as it is used internationally to cover both traditional initiation into a particular religious tradition, and the more recent non-confessional, multi-faith and multi-worldview academic subject, sometimes called ‘inclusive’ or ‘integrated’ RE. The amazing diversity of religions/worldviews and their significant impact on individuals and societies requires that schooling enables children and young people to engage sensitively but critically in an informed way with this area of human experience. State funding of ‘faith-based’ schools is one example of a controversial issue at the interface between religion and education.
