Abstract

Although Religious Education (RE) is a legal requirement in UK schools, it is an oft-neglected and misunderstood subject. It is important to seriously re-think this key subject at this time of low religious literacy and rising extremism, to protect communities from the consequences of hatred and misunderstanding. This book promotes a public discussion of what exactly is needed from a new model of RE within our education system to benefit wider society.

In this edited collection, the chapters are diverse and future-facing, informed by theory and practice and written by a variety of key leading practitioners and emerging national leaders in RE. It covers the most pressing and urgent issues for RE such as hate speech, educational reform, and the weakening of moderate religious institutions. Linking the chapters together with recurring themes and joining passages, the editors create a flowing and coherent discussion about the state of RE and offer choices and routes for readers to consider in terms of its future course.

Teachers of RE - and, indeed, the general reader - will appreciate the honesty and clarity of We Need To Talk About Religious Education. There is a refreshing newness among the contributors to this important volume, most of whom either continue to teach RE, or have done so in the fairly recent past.
Dennis Richards
Church Times
This wide-ranging and very readable set of contributions is highly recommended to all involved with or interested in the subject of religion education or religious education in schools, and its future. As well as making an excellent introduction to relevant issues for those preparing to teach religious education or to develop policy, it will be of interest to many working with issues of religious/religion education in a variety of national settings.
Robert Jackson
American International Journal, Reliigon and Education
This timely book assembles huge amounts of wisdom and experience. It is a valuable addition to a growing literature on the place of RE in our schools. I strongly endorse the message captured in the Postscript : be absolutely clear about the purpose of RE and teach it well. The rest will follow from this.
Grace Davie, Professor emeritus, University of Exeter
This diverse and accessible series of reflections provides an excellent route map navigating the complex terrain that is contemporary RE. It offers a range of radical solutions guaranteed to prompt debate about the future of the 'RE space' in a post-religious, post-secular contemporary world.
Alan Brine, Former HMI and Ofsted National Adviser for Religious Education
This book, in the words of two of its authors, does the same as effective RE in classrooms. It offers 'demanding material... a framework for talk, thought, misconceptions and deep engagement' and a discussion of 'unsafe topics'. It is timely and informed and everyone who cares about RE should read it.
Dr Joyce Miller Associate Fellow, WRERU