Forschungsprojekt ::

Religious Education and Non-Religion

Projektbeschreibung

For a long time, the prevailing assumption was that religion constitutes a quasi-anthropological constant: mutable in form and content, yet fundamentally persistent despite ongoing secularisation. Recently, however, this assumption has come under considerable pressure, leading to a paradigm shift, particularly in European contexts. We are witnessing a move beyond mere non-denominationalism towards genuine non-religion. This means recognising that a growing number of pupils experience no religious socialisation, develop no personal religious convictions, and possess only a rudimentary understanding of religion. For them, religion holds little to no relevance. Current trends show no indication that this secular dynamic is weakening.

Against this backdrop, this special issue of Paedagogia Christiana focuses on religious education. How can (confessional) religious instruction respond to advancing secularisation in its conceptual frameworks, didactic methods, curricular content, and pedagogical practices? We aim to assemble interdisciplinary contributions from pedagogy, theology, religious studies, ethics, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies. We welcome theoretical analyses that critically reflect on non-religion and its educational implications, as well as empirical research illustrating specific experiences in schools, families, and public spaces. International comparisons and case studies that propose new teaching models to address the rise of the "nones" are also encouraged. Our goal is not only to describe the phenomenon but also to provide a thorough diagnosis and creative perspectives that can advance research in religious education in an era of growing non-religion.