Introduction

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part presents the interpretive approach written for the American journal Religion & Education, and published in 2004 and focuses on the representation of religions. It argues that religions are complex social realities, whose meaning changes over time, varies in different cultural situations, and has never been universally agreed. The interpretive approach was never intended to be an all-encompassing philosophy and methodology for religious education. Fundamentally, it aimed to provide tools for understanding religious language and practices. The key principles and concepts of the interpretive approach emerged as a result of a combination of practical experience as a teacher, teacher trainer, broadcaster and researcher, with reflections on reading from a variety of sources.