ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides both aims and subject material into specific schemes of work—but without falling into the trap of trying to provide a blue print. It focuses upon five complementary approaches to religious education: thematic work, world religions, Christian festivals, the Bible and biography. Of these the strongest emphasis has been placed upon two—world religions and the Bible—because it is around these that teachers express most concern. New approaches to religious education do involve children looking beyond the traditional Christian content of Religious Education (RE) and thus puts the teacher in interesting but often unfamiliar territory. The Bible, for so long almost the text book of RE, will remain for very many teachers the central element in their religious education work.
