Three Phases of Religious Education: Learning, Evaluation and Commitment

Abstract

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IS analysed into three phases: Learning, Evaluation and Commitment. What has to be learned has logical priority and is to be understood in terms of a basic conception, in several dimensions, of world-faiths, abstracted from the living religions a pupil meets. What is learnt can then be evaluated, both as a personal life-option and/or as one making factual claims about the universe. On the latter alternative evaluation becomes the application of truth-criteria and a scheme of such criteria is set out and defended. Pupils finally need to know what is involved in proceeding from belief to a substantive faith commitment, if they should so desire. Teachers should also encourage pupils in a commitment to religious reflection as a life-long quest.