Religion and Education

Article

100

What phrase does Davies use to describe religion in public education?

The “white elephant.”

200

Who were students asked about as an example for the survey? 

Dalai Lama 

300

what is the definition of Proselytisation 

The act of converting or attempting to convert someone from one belief system to another.

400

According to teachers in the study, why is religion avoided in classrooms?

 Fear of proselytisation and bias.

500

What act was Davies focusing on throughout the study and what did it say? 

• Education and Training Reform act 2006
• ‘Education in government schools must be secular and must not promote any particular religious practice, denomination or sect. This does not prevent the inclusion of general religious education in the curriculum of a government school. General religious education is defined as: ‘education about major forms of religious thought and expression characteristic of Australian society and other societies in the world’ (Davies, 2017) 

Reading

100

Which generation of students was studied in this article?

Gen Z

200

What method was used in the research?

Interviews/Surveys

300

What key skill does “religious literacy” involve?

Understanding and engaging with different religions.

400

What was one major finding about Gen Z’s religious identity?

It is highly diverse, with many non-religious, spiritual, or religious students.

500

What does the study say schools often fail to provide regarding religion?

Adequate teaching about religion as part of cultural literacy.

Shared Themes

100

What word describes negative assumptions about religions due to lack of understanding?

 Prejudice.

200

both articles argue that ignoring religion undermines what kind of skill?

Social literacy / intercultural understanding.

300

What do both articles see as a benefit of including religion in education?

 Promoting inclusion and critical thinking.

400

What was said about religious practice in the lecture 

religious practice is highly personal, and is constantly changing. it is up to individual interpretation. 

500

Why do both studies argue religion should be integrated into education?

To prepare students for life in a multicultural, globally connected society.

Real World Connections

100

how many religious affiliation did the 2021 census find are present across Australia? 

over 100 

300

What do students often rely on for religious knowledge when schools avoid teaching it?
 

Family, peers, and media.

400

list three of the things as future educators we should or shouldn't be doing that were suggested in the lecture

• DO learn more about the history of religious communities, especially in specific contexts, to understand why they practice in a particular way
•  DO take an interest in the spiritualties that young people profess
• DO NOT assume that a particular belief necessarily leads to only one way of practicing
•  DO NOT try to “guess” based on appearances
• DO find out about the diversity of ways that people practice their beliefs in relation to an issue (e.g. social class, gender, sexuality, race, etc.)
•  DO explore ways that beliefs can be actualised in educational practices that serve students (e.g., How can religious values be linked to what you are teaching?)