This article argues that the issue of religious control of schools is becoming more and more important with every day that passes. We have a situation where one-third of our state schools are faith schools, and the New Labour Government seems intent on increasing their number. It is the author's contention that the state should not be allowed to…

Discusses the role played by preaching in early medieval religious culture. The author describes how Caesarius of Arles instigated the use of short, vivid statements of Christian theology as sermon endings. The endings reinforced the orthodox image of Christ in the minds of the illiterate population and counteracted the influence of Arianism. (AM)

This document discusses the authors' preparation for 100th Anniversary Celebration of The Religious Education Association (REA). A brief overview of the authors' involvement in religious education is summarized. Through preparation for this meeting, the author was invited to facilitate a workshop on "Faith and Culture." 30 women from Kenya,…

Why has it been so difficult to define the goals of Jewish informal education? Often informal educators define their work in terms of the goals of Jewish socialization. Those terms have worked to attract funders' support, but also limited the educational creativity of this field. This article argues for a dual defining of goals: socialization and…

In this article, the author discusses how contemporary popular culture influences religious meaning of people in pluralistic society. One such powerful media that influences religious beliefs is the television. Meaning making about faith, how people make meaning, and the nature of those meanings are central concerns of religious education and…

Describes a process to help adults in local British churches consider and develop new patterns of Christian education in the context of mutual support. (Author)

The author discusses the treatment of religion in the context of a pluralistic, democratic society. He explains why three myths surrounding the study of religion have mitigated against the development of a religious, and perhaps a moral, sense among prospective teachers. (MT)

A disabled man recounts negative experiences in his church's Sunday school and confirmation class. (CL)

Presents historical themes relevant to religious education of older adults. Draws on themes in Jewish, Christian, Confucian, and other world religions to show that religious bodies have shown respect for the elderly, especially for their abilities as teachers and counselors. Asserts that increased numbers of older adults in religious bodies can be…

Asserts that studies of classroom climates concluded that religion is seldom discussed in public schools. Sees this as inconsistent with important precedents of society; says public schools ought to provide opportunities for students to discuss religion, broadly defined, in scholarly fashion throughout their normal school routine. Delineates 10…

This article focuses on the influence of Wilfred Cantwell Smith's presentation of the nature of faith on James W. Fowler's faith-development paradigm. Smith contended that, in the pre-modern era, terms translated by the English words "faith" and "believe" denoted a personal allegiance that did not require assent to any objective assertions. Two…

The Enlightenment rejection of the Cartesian mechanistic understanding of animals was accompanied by a (re)new(ed) anti-cruelty sentiment. Compassion, however, fell victim to the triumph of reason leading Western culture toward an era of cruelty to animals on an unprecedented scale. What was absent in Enlightenment thought, even among proponents…

In this article the author argues that for 150 years Jewish education has negotiated the tensions between modernity and Judaism by means of liberal religion, ultra Orthodoxy, and secular Zionism. All three are in crisis today due to the rise of postmodernism. Jewish educational thought therefore needs to create new syntheses between Jewish and…

Children's religious education is traditionally oriented to initiate children into a religious tradition. The idea--that the child must first receive input and then, when growing up, can start thinking critically--is based on images of children as "not-yet-adults" who should be socialised and protected. Here I will develop an ethical reflection on…

In the past two years, every magazine on the newsstands has featured nanotechnology. The articles usually speak of nanotech as the latest emerging platform technology that will substantially transform the material and social world, just as electricity and nuclear science did previously. What is usually not mentioned in these articles is reference…