ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the importance of religious literacy, which refers to the knowledge and understanding of beliefs, practices, and cultural significance of different religions. With globalization and immigration leading to greater religious diversity, religious literacy has become a crucial topic in academic and public discourses. Appreciating religious diversity, engaging in respectful dialogue, and understanding historical and cultural contexts are vital aspects of religious literacy, which is crucial in healthcare to provide culturally sensitive and person-centred care. The lack of religious literacy in education and training results in professionals lacking the necessary skills to work with people from diverse backgrounds, and interdisciplinary collaborations are required to tackle these challenges effectively. The chapter also concludes that cross-country learning and knowledge-sharing initiatives are essential to achieve wider goals.