REA2023 Diversity, Cultural Respect, and Religious Education
Channel: Religious Education Association
Date: 12/07/2023

Towards a Pedagogy of 'Just' Hospitality: A Theo-Ethical Proposal for Ministry with Children of Different Cultures

Heejin Choi (Knox College in the University of Toronto)

This research challenges the understanding of hospitality in the Christian faith community as it pertains to children who have marginalized experiences in a multicultural society. Considering today's context of power differentials among culturally different people, this study explores the concept of hospitality with a critical awareness of unjust power issues among children of different cultures. By imagining a way of ‘just’ hospitality, the study envisions a pedagogy that the faith community can practice in its ministry with children from different cultural backgrounds.

Religious rights and religious freedom - how do we set the agenda for Christian education? Examining the issues surrounding the proposed English Schools Bill from the perspective of Christian home educators

Sarah E Holmes (Liverpool Hope University)
Harriet Pattison

Christian home educators raised issues with the government’s proposed Bill, citing contradictory agendas of the state and home educators. Empirical research gathered insights from 462 respondents, revealing conflicting stances regarding control and responsibility of parents; many feeling that Christian beliefs and values integral to their child’s education were undermined. Despite the Schools Bill being temporarily suspended, it highlights the prevailing perceptions of Christian home educators and begs the question of who should decide what is appropriate - the family or the state?

Hospitable Education

Ina Ter Avest ("Z-in-gesprek", consultancy & coaching)

In the past the Netherlands was characterized as a pillarized society, with three ‘pillars’ (catholic, protestant and liberal) ‘living apart together’. Each pillar had its own education system, health care, and daily newspapers. A fourth ‘pillar’ was added in the 80’s of the last century: an Islamic pillar. Nowadays, however, pillarization is fiercely debated. In the same period a model was developed for inclusive education for all pupils irrespective of the (religious or secular) life orientation of their parents . Supportive aspects (like a well founded goal orientation of principal and team

Facilitated by Christine Hong (Columbia Theological Seminary).