Discourses of Religion and Secularism in Religious Education Classrooms

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This book explores how students and teachers discuss religion within the framework of Religious Education in Sweden, often regarded as the "world's most secular country." Through participant observation in upper secondary schools, it examines the discourses of religion that emerge in classroom settings. The analysis addresses the role of nonconfessional integrative Religious Education in a pluralistic, multireligious, and secular society. It covers the religious landscape, various educational perspectives, and the evolution of Religious Education, while also considering secularist, spiritual, and nationalistic discourses. Religious Education serves as a crucial subject that navigates the complexities of knowledge in a diverse society, tackling contentious issues related to diversity and secularity. In this mandatory, integrative, and non-confessional subject, students of various religious and secular backgrounds learn together. The curriculum encompasses major world religions, significant non-religious worldviews, and ethics from a non-confessional standpoint. This setting fosters interaction among individuals with differing beliefs about religion. The book raises critical questions about which discourses of religion dominate the classroom and how these influence the goals of Religious Education, particularly in promoting understanding and respect for diverse perspectives in a multifaceted society.