Teaching Religion in Multi-Religious contexts. religious education as a means of protecting minors: What is its legal status?

Abstract

The context for this analysis is a study carried out in Italy which concluded that the teaching of the Catholic religion at school may be adapted to current religious pluralism only through a new methodological approach; a hermeneutic-existential renewal that, although typical of the teaching of the Catholic religion in Italy, may be seen as paradigmatic for three reasons. Firstly, because it is capable of comparing various religious confessions without erasing or reinforcing their differences. Secondly, because it respects the historical roots and social value attributed to religion in all states, bearing in mind that the challenge of religious multiculturalism cannot be reduced to which religion is to play a role in the public sphere, but consists of identifying which religion has the appropriate cultural weight to ground constructive interreligious dialogue. Thirdly, because it can also foster legal reflection on the religious identity of each citizen and on their religious duties.