ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book attempts to assist the teacher in the classroom to think positively about the requirements of law and the recommendations of others for an inclusive approach to the children in school. Amongst the religions considered are those of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. For most statements made about particular Faiths, there will be found devout members of that Faith who will claim to have a differing belief and style of life to that stated in the book. The book shows that family patterns vary. The extended family is of central importance in the Indian sub-continent, whilst the nuclear family is more common within the Western nations. The contemporary classroom in many county schools, especially in urban areas, is rather complex in religious terms. Religion, far from ‘dying’ has far more diverse forms and expressions than the average person realises.
