teacher is going to find it very hard not to take sides. Subtly or not, they're almost certainly going to show a bias. Teachers should introduce speculations and controversies for discussion - this is education for the real world. How can that be education for the real world, when? Religious controversies are detached from or tangential to the real world, and religion itself is a private affair, and very sensitive. A better education for the real world would be to advise them thus: "Don't discuss religion if you can possibly avoid it, and if anyone tries to discuss it with you, tell them you're not interested." Lack of it, I think, is a factor leading to the sort of polarisation and extremism that we see in the USA. I don't think so. In fact, I think that assertion is quite groundless. Religious polarization in Northern Ireland was not caused by lack of RE lessons in schools. Around Europe, there are many different approaches to RE in schools. In some countries (such as most of Eastern Europe), it is optional, but only a few attend. In some countries (such as Germany), pupils from different religious backgrounds take different lessons, in at least one country France, it's prohibited outright. There's no obvious pattern that would give a clear indication that any of these approaches is more conducive than any other to religious harmony in society at large. "You haven't given me the slightest clue as to what you think RE should do"