The Cultural Politics and Practice of Interreligious Education

This theoretical paper reviews the literature on interreligious education over the past 26 years, examining its purposes, pedagogies, and practice. It identifies four primary goals of interreligious education: civic (developing democratic virtues and social cohesion), religious/spiritual (deepening faith identity through dialogue), personal (fostering self-determination and critical reflection), and political (potentially serving missionary or nationalistic agendas). The paper explores how interreligious education manifests in K-12 settings, addressing challenges and principles for effective practice. It concludes by identifying research gaps and offering insights for educators and policymakers seeking to implement interreligious initiatives.