Perspectives on Tolerance in Education Flowing from a Comparison of Religion Education in Estonia and South Africa

Y

7

Foreign Countries; Religious Education; Comparative Analysis; Cross Cultural Studies; Barriers; Social Attitudes; Social Bias; Educational Change; Democracy; Civil Rights

Estonia; South Africa

The question that prompted this investigation into religion education (RE) in Estonia and in South Africa was whether two countries from such totally different parts of the world, with such vastly different populations and cultures though with somewhat parallel histories, had tackled the same or similar problems regarding the provision of RE in their schools, particularly with respect to the matter of tolerance in diverse societies, and in which ways the solutions they came up with agree with or differ from each other. The question was premised by the assumption that people are the same the world over, and that their problems regarding the provision of RE in schools and the quest for (inter)religious tolerance might be roughly the same, of course depending on the prevailing local and historical circumstances. While the upshot of the comparison itself will be available for discussion during the conference presentation, the purpose of this paper will be to present and discuss some of the parallels, resemblances and differences with respect to RE and the issue of (inter)religious tolerance, and to tentatively advance reasons for what has been observed and concluded. At least five (5) themes pertaining to (inter)religious tolerance that emerged from the comparison will be tabled for discussion: intolerance and state domination--societies in transition; diversity an asset, tolerance and nation. [For complete volume, see ED567118.]

As Provided

13

2016

ED567141