This volume deals with theodicy as a subject-matter for religious education. In order to enable people to reflect on the theodicy issue, to deal with their religious doubts and perhaps even to cope with suffering, it is very important that religious education is attentative to the problem of evil. But is it possible to 'learn' theodicy? And, if so, what does 'learning' mean in this respect? What kind of aims and objectives are desirable and attainable here? These theoretical issues are addressed in the first part of this book. The second part reports on empirical research conducted on the...

The author formulates a communicative concept of the Christian tradition to individuals, particularly in the situation of mourning. The empirical exploration shows that texts on the "absence of God" are of great significance to individuals in grief.

In many respects children and youths receiving religious instruction in our culture resemble extraterrestrial beings doing an orientation course. Religion and religiosity are unknown quantities which they have hardly encountered at home. Religion seems something else, something greater. This book is a study of the foundations of religious education, centered around six concepts: religion in a globalizing society, religious tradition, religion, the religious self, learning through participation and interreligious learning.