ABSTRACT
Religion is an important resource for spirituality. It is not the only source, but to omit religion in a spiritual search is to ignore a central and enduring strand in humanity’s quest for meaning and right living. Religion is the place where spiritual energies, organised around ritual, symbol, narrative, doctrine and ethical code have been most systematically honed and shaped. Religious Education has, therefore, a major contribution to make to the spiritual dimension of the curriculum. Spiritual development, though, needs more than the study of religious and spiritual content. It requires a personal engagement with the material studied. It is much more than just learning about the facts of religion. The learner needs to confront and have an opinion on the truths of religion. This is a study which looks for resources and inspiration for one’s own life way. The possibility of undertaking this engaged, personally involved kind of study is closely related to the nature of the learning experience. Some kinds of teaching and learning enhance it, others tend to obstruct.
