ABSTRACT
Teaching religion is a unique enterprise. It is an academic subject, yet the transmission of knowledge alone fails to achieve the goal of educating a student in the Catholic faith. It is difficult to gauge whether a student has successfully learned the lessons taught in the religion classroom. The full effect of the religious educator’s efforts may not become apparent for decades or even a lifetime. Religion teachers not only transmit a body of knowledge but give witness to their most deeply held values and convictions. A student who fails to achieve academically may nevertheless have a profound spirituality and a close, personal relationship with Jesus. The distinctive nature of religious education makes it one of the most difficult subjects to teach. Many challenges confront those who teach religion in Catholic schools.
