The objective of this Master’s research project was to examine religious dialogue from the point of view of multi-religious families and different faith-based organizations. This research attempted to raise awareness of the multiple benefits of religious dialogue society-wise, of the general diversity of faith-based systems and of the role that multi-religious families play. Furthermore, it was studied how different faith-based organizations and other societal factors relate to multi-religious families, and how these relationships could be improved.   This is a qualitative research, to which a few quantitative elements were included. These elements were implemented in the two online surveys that were used for the collection of data, as well as during the data handling process. In addition to a comprehensive analysis on religious dialogue, this research considered the concepts of faith and ethnomethodology. These three underlying theories did not only support the research findings, but were actively used as the basis for the development of the surveys and their analysis. Although this research was based on a Finnish context, it can easily be generalized to any given society because of its impartial and universal basis.   The surveys were designed together with a Finnish NGO called Familia ry, and the findings of this research will be used to help them develop their future work.

We live in a so-called late-modern age where religion and various world-views are something one must relate to in society, no matter what one thinks of that and wherever one lives in the world. This statement applies not least if we are to be able to live in consensus with each other and if we want a world with fewer conflicts, which I, without any evidence, claim that the majority of the world´s population wants.     The fact that people with different truth claims, religions an world-views live side by side as today, is not a new phomenon globally and historically, but the Christian conformity that was formerly the practice in the West has today been replaced by a multitude of world-views through increased immigration and through increased secularization.     The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and describe the mission of religious philosophy in a late-modern, multi-religious, pluralistic world. And in the first place to find out what the three religious philosophers Kevin Schilbrack from USA, Mikael Stenmark from Sweden and Nick Trakakis from Australia say about this. By comparing their perceptions with each other, I want to point out similarities and differences and see why I mean that the discipline should be developed for one or the other direction.     I advocate that religion of philosophy continues to work with the methods by which one seeks to understand, describe and explain different religions ans world-views, as well as critically review, assess or evaluate them. This is because the philosophy of religion is to be taken seriously in order for philosophy of religion to take society seriously. Religion of philosophy should also study lived religion as a complement to the textculture.     Moving the starting point to the religion you are studying can also be of benefit to the study of religious philosophy in order to get a more accurate picture of foreign religions. The advantage of what I advocate here is that in the future we can get a philosophy of religion that is not normative, defined that it has the starting point in theism, that the confessional is the norm, or relativistic.

SAMMANFATTNING Ida Carlgren & Josefine Ferm Pedagogiskt förhållningssätt till religiös mångfald En jämförande studie mellan två skolor Antal sidor: 31 Syftet med vårt arbete är att utifrån en definition av begreppet mångreligiöst undervisningsperspektiv undersöka förutsättningarna för en undervisning i skolämnet religion, som främjar både lärandet och utvecklingen av ett tolerant förhållningssätt hos eleverna. Vi har valt att utgå från en huvudfrågeställning som är: Vilka problem uppfattar skolorna vid integration och hur arbetar de med dem? För att ringa in problemen utgår vi från följande frågeställningar: Vilka styrdokument ligger till grund för undervisningen i religion? Hur främjar religionsundervisningen tolerans och förståelse över de etniska och religiösa grupperna? Utifrån dessa områden formulerade vi sedan de frågor som vi använde vid intervjuerna. Metoden vi använde oss av var öppenriktad intervju. Sedan vi analyserat intervjusvaren kom vi fram till resultatet. I vår undersökning sökte vi efter problem kopplade till religion i skolan, till vår förvåning uppfattade ingen av respondenterna några sådana i sin religionsundervisning. Vi har därför lyft fram de problem som vi uppfattade att skolorna hade, men som de inte själva såg, i vår diskussionsdel. För att sammanfatta vårt huvudsakliga resultat kom vi fram till slutsatsen att bara för att en skola uppfattar sig som mångreligiös innebär inte det att det mångreligiösa tas tillvara i undervisningen. / ABSTRACT Ida Carlgren & Josefine Ferm A pedagogic perspective on attitudes towards religious diversity A comparative study between two schools Number of pages: 31 The purpose of our study is, from a definition of the term multi religious teaching perspective, to examine the conditions for an education in the school subject religion, which promotes both the learning as well as the development of a tolerant attitude among the students. We have chosen to start from problems like for example: Which problems do the schools apprehend in integration issues and how do they handle them? To narrow down these problems we have chosen to work from following questions. What control documents, national or local, underlies the teaching in the subject religion? How does the education in religion promote tolerance and understanding over the ethnical and religious groups? Then we reformulated these question fields into questions that we later on used for the interviews. The method we used was open directed interview. After we had analysed the answers from the interviews we reached the results. In our study we searched for problems connected with religious education in schools, to our surprise none of the respondents had apprehended any of those connected to their teaching in religious education. Therefore, we have enthroned the problems that we observed, but the teachers did not, in our discussion part. Just because a school is known as a multi religious school does that not necessary mean that the multicultural perspective is to be seen as a resource in the teaching.

<p>SAMMANFATTNING</p><p>Ida Carlgren & Josefine Ferm</p><p>Pedagogiskt förhållningssätt till religiös mångfald</p><p>En jämförande studie mellan två skolor</p><p>Antal sidor: 31</p><p>Syftet med vårt arbete är att utifrån en definition av begreppet mångreligiöst undervisningsperspektiv undersöka förutsättningarna för en undervisning i skolämnet religion, som främjar både lärandet och utvecklingen av ett tolerant förhållningssätt hos eleverna.</p><p>Vi har valt att utgå från en huvudfrågeställning som är: Vilka problem uppfattar skolorna vid integration och hur arbetar de med dem? För att ringa in problemen utgår vi från följande frågeställningar: Vilka styrdokument ligger till grund för undervisningen i religion? Hur främjar religionsundervisningen tolerans och förståelse över de etniska och religiösa grupperna? Utifrån dessa områden formulerade vi sedan de frågor som vi använde vid intervjuerna.</p><p>Metoden vi använde oss av var öppenriktad intervju. Sedan vi analyserat intervjusvaren kom vi fram till resultatet. I vår undersökning sökte vi efter problem kopplade till religion i skolan, till vår förvåning uppfattade ingen av respondenterna några sådana i sin religionsundervisning. Vi har därför lyft fram de problem som vi uppfattade att skolorna hade, men som de inte själva såg, i vår diskussionsdel. För att sammanfatta vårt huvudsakliga resultat kom vi fram till slutsatsen att bara för att en skola uppfattar sig som mångreligiös innebär inte det att det mångreligiösa tas tillvara i undervisningen.</p> / <p>ABSTRACT</p><p>Ida Carlgren & Josefine Ferm</p><p>A pedagogic perspective on attitudes towards religious diversity</p><p>A comparative study between two schools</p><p>Number of pages: 31</p><p>The purpose of our study is, from a definition of the term multi religious teaching perspective, to examine the conditions for an education in the school subject religion, which promotes both the learning as well as the development of a tolerant attitude among the students.</p><p>We have chosen to start from problems like for example: Which problems do the schools apprehend in integration issues and how do they handle them? To narrow down these problems we have chosen to work from following questions. What control documents, national or local, underlies the teaching in the subject religion? How does the education in religion promote tolerance and understanding over the ethnical and religious groups? Then we reformulated these question fields into questions that we later on used for the interviews.</p><p>The method we used was open directed interview. After we had analysed the answers from the interviews we reached the results. In our study we searched for problems connected with religious education in schools, to our surprise none of the respondents had apprehended any of those connected to their teaching in religious education. Therefore, we have enthroned the problems that we observed, but the teachers did not, in our discussion part. Just because a school is known as a multi religious school does that not necessary mean that the multicultural perspective is to be seen as a resource in the teaching.</p>

Text in Afrikaans / Summary in Afrikaans and English / This study is an attempt to analyse and describe syncretism as an encompassing phenomenon from a historical-educational perspective. In recent times, the ideas of globalization, the influence of modern science, as well as certain ideas concerning modern education, are closely related to the manifestation of syncretism. A study of various exemplars from the past and present disclosed the essences of syncretism, thus unveiling the religious growth-motives that underlie syncretism, which also played an important role in the development of Western civilization and the modem world. The multi-faith idea (the idea of unity and synthesis), the idea of secularization, and the idea of relativity, were identified as prominent characteristics of syncretism. The identification and analysis of the essences of syncretism and supporting religious principles. become possible when syncretism is set in opposition to the Biblical and reformational thought processes. Bible-based education provides an alternative to syncretism in a fast changing and post-modern world. It gives perspective on the instruction to people to care for and develop God's creation. The intrinsic characteristics of Bible-based education were used as evaluation criteria in an attempt to expose syncretism. The characteristics of Bible-based education which also provide a framework for establishing a corrective to the problematic educational situation, are the following: • the acknowledgement of the Holy Trinity as central to man's existence; • the Bible/Holy Scriptures as essential for a Christian world and life view; • the essence of a Christian anthropology; • education as the fulfilment of God's covenant with man; • the directive role of Bible-based norms; • the transfer of culture through education • Biblical cosmology as an expression of the Christian faith; • the reformational aspect of Bible-based education. In the evaluation of syncretism, it was discovered that the relationship between man and the Holy Trinity would be negatively affected if the Christian religion were not regarded as the only source of truth concerning the salvation of man and the true meaning of life. The influence of syncretism necessitates a reformational and antithetical approach, which constantly emphasises the importance of the educator's role in the teaching and education of the child in the modem educational system. / In hierdie studie word gepoog om die sinkretisme as omvattende verskynsel vanuit 'n histories-opvoedkundige perspektief te ontleed en te omskryf. Die globaliseringsverskynsel, die inwerking van die modeme wetenskap en bepaalde idees in die moderne onderwys hang saam met die manifestasie van die sinkretisme in die eietyd. In 'n eksemplariese verlede- en eietydse studie is grondig ondersoek ingestel na tendense en verskynsels wat die wesenlike van die sinkretisme openbaar. Religieuse grondmotiewe in die Westerse beskawingsontwikkeling het 'n wesenlike bydrae gelewer tot die opkoms van die sinkretisme van die moderne wereld. Die wesenskenmerke wat prominent in die eksemplariese ondersoek betreffende die realisering van die sinkretisme gemanifesteer het, was die multireligieuse/intergeloofsidee en sintesedenke (eenheidsidee), die sekulariseringsverskynsel en die relatiwiteitsverskynsel. Die identifisering en ontleding van die wesenskenmerke van die sinkretisme en ondersteunende religieuse grondmotiewe word moontlik indien die sinkretisme teenoor die Bybelse en reformatoriese denkhouding gestel word. Bybelgefundeerde onderwys bied 'n altematief vir die sinkretisme in 'n snel veranderende en postmodeme wereld en gee perspektief aan die mens se beheersingsopdrag in die skeppingswerklikheid. Die wesenskenmerke van Bybelgefundeerde onderwys is as evalueringskriteria aangewend in 'n poging om die sinkretisme in sy ware gedaante te ontbloot. Die wesenskenmerke wat terselfdertyd die raamwerk vir die daarstel van 'n korrektief vir die problematiese onderwyssituasie bied, is: • God Drie-enig as sentrale uitgangspunt; • die Bybel/Heilige Skrif as essensieel vir 'n Christelike lewens en wereldbeskouing; • die Christelike mensbeeld (antropologie) as voorwaarde vir Bybel-gefundeerde onderwys • onderwys en opvoeding as die bevestiging van God se verbond met die mens; • die rigtinggewende rol van Bybelgefundeerde norme; • kultuuroordrag en Bybelgefundeerde onderwys; • die Bybelse skeppingsleer as 'n uitdrukking van die Christelike geioof; • die refonnatoriese/gereformeerde inslag van Bybelgefundeerde onder­wys In die evaluering van die sinkretisme is bevind dat die mens se grondverhouding met God Drie-enig aangetas word indien die Christelike godsdiens nie as die enigste bron van waarheid betreffende die mens se redding en toekomsverwagting beskou word nie. Die inwerking van die sinkretisme noodsaak in die moderne onderwyssisteem 'n reformatoriese en antitetiese denkhouding wat die mens deurlopend opskerp ten opsigte van sy rol as opvoeder in die opvoeding en onderwys van die kind. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (History of Education)

Multicultural education is only one of the major changes, which have occurred since the inception of the new democracy in South Africa. However, this inevitable change has resulted in many challenges for both educators and educational institutions. A literature study was done to discuss and clarity concepts of multicultural education, culture, race, ethnicity, bias and anti-bias. The perspectives, principles and history of multicultural education in the United States of America, Britain and South Africa were also investigated. An exploratory study, using a qualitative research design, was done to investigate educators' viewpoints on multicultural education in schools. The results of the investigation indicate that there is a lack of tolerance in schools and that educators require training and intervention strategies to help them cope with the changes in a multicultural education system in South Africa. Recommendations regarding training and policy implementation were discussed and intervention strategies for educators have been given. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (with specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)

Text in Afrikaans / Summary in Afrikaans and English / This study is an attempt to analyse and describe syncretism as an encompassing phenomenon from a historical-educational perspective. In recent times, the ideas of globalization, the influence of modern science, as well as certain ideas concerning modern education, are closely related to the manifestation of syncretism. A study of various exemplars from the past and present disclosed the essences of syncretism, thus unveiling the religious growth-motives that underlie syncretism, which also played an important role in the development of Western civilization and the modem world. The multi-faith idea (the idea of unity and synthesis), the idea of secularization, and the idea of relativity, were identified as prominent characteristics of syncretism. The identification and analysis of the essences of syncretism and supporting religious principles. become possible when syncretism is set in opposition to the Biblical and reformational thought processes. Bible-based education provides an alternative to syncretism in a fast changing and post-modern world. It gives perspective on the instruction to people to care for and develop God's creation. The intrinsic characteristics of Bible-based education were used as evaluation criteria in an attempt to expose syncretism. The characteristics of Bible-based education which also provide a framework for establishing a corrective to the problematic educational situation, are the following: • the acknowledgement of the Holy Trinity as central to man's existence; • the Bible/Holy Scriptures as essential for a Christian world and life view; • the essence of a Christian anthropology; • education as the fulfilment of God's covenant with man; • the directive role of Bible-based norms; • the transfer of culture through education • Biblical cosmology as an expression of the Christian faith; • the reformational aspect of Bible-based education. In the evaluation of syncretism, it was discovered that the relationship between man and the Holy Trinity would be negatively affected if the Christian religion were not regarded as the only source of truth concerning the salvation of man and the true meaning of life. The influence of syncretism necessitates a reformational and antithetical approach, which constantly emphasises the importance of the educator's role in the teaching and education of the child in the modem educational system. / In hierdie studie word gepoog om die sinkretisme as omvattende verskynsel vanuit 'n histories-opvoedkundige perspektief te ontleed en te omskryf. Die globaliseringsverskynsel, die inwerking van die modeme wetenskap en bepaalde idees in die moderne onderwys hang saam met die manifestasie van die sinkretisme in die eietyd. In 'n eksemplariese verlede- en eietydse studie is grondig ondersoek ingestel na tendense en verskynsels wat die wesenlike van die sinkretisme openbaar. Religieuse grondmotiewe in die Westerse beskawingsontwikkeling het 'n wesenlike bydrae gelewer tot die opkoms van die sinkretisme van die moderne wereld. Die wesenskenmerke wat prominent in die eksemplariese ondersoek betreffende die realisering van die sinkretisme gemanifesteer het, was die multireligieuse/intergeloofsidee en sintesedenke (eenheidsidee), die sekulariseringsverskynsel en die relatiwiteitsverskynsel. Die identifisering en ontleding van die wesenskenmerke van die sinkretisme en ondersteunende religieuse grondmotiewe word moontlik indien die sinkretisme teenoor die Bybelse en reformatoriese denkhouding gestel word. Bybelgefundeerde onderwys bied 'n altematief vir die sinkretisme in 'n snel veranderende en postmodeme wereld en gee perspektief aan die mens se beheersingsopdrag in die skeppingswerklikheid. Die wesenskenmerke van Bybelgefundeerde onderwys is as evalueringskriteria aangewend in 'n poging om die sinkretisme in sy ware gedaante te ontbloot. Die wesenskenmerke wat terselfdertyd die raamwerk vir die daarstel van 'n korrektief vir die problematiese onderwyssituasie bied, is: • God Drie-enig as sentrale uitgangspunt; • die Bybel/Heilige Skrif as essensieel vir 'n Christelike lewens en wereldbeskouing; • die Christelike mensbeeld (antropologie) as voorwaarde vir Bybel-gefundeerde onderwys • onderwys en opvoeding as die bevestiging van God se verbond met die mens; • die rigtinggewende rol van Bybelgefundeerde norme; • kultuuroordrag en Bybelgefundeerde onderwys; • die Bybelse skeppingsleer as 'n uitdrukking van die Christelike geioof; • die refonnatoriese/gereformeerde inslag van Bybelgefundeerde onder­wys In die evaluering van die sinkretisme is bevind dat die mens se grondverhouding met God Drie-enig aangetas word indien die Christelike godsdiens nie as die enigste bron van waarheid betreffende die mens se redding en toekomsverwagting beskou word nie. Die inwerking van die sinkretisme noodsaak in die moderne onderwyssisteem 'n reformatoriese en antitetiese denkhouding wat die mens deurlopend opskerp ten opsigte van sy rol as opvoeder in die opvoeding en onderwys van die kind. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (History of Education)

Multicultural education is only one of the major changes, which have occurred since the inception of the new democracy in South Africa. However, this inevitable change has resulted in many challenges for both educators and educational institutions. A literature study was done to discuss and clarity concepts of multicultural education, culture, race, ethnicity, bias and anti-bias. The perspectives, principles and history of multicultural education in the United States of America, Britain and South Africa were also investigated. An exploratory study, using a qualitative research design, was done to investigate educators' viewpoints on multicultural education in schools. The results of the investigation indicate that there is a lack of tolerance in schools and that educators require training and intervention strategies to help them cope with the changes in a multicultural education system in South Africa. Recommendations regarding training and policy implementation were discussed and intervention strategies for educators have been given. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (with specialisation in Guidance and Counselling)