THE FUTURE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ON THE FLEMISH SCHOOL CURRICULUM: A PLEA FOR INTEGRATIVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR ALL

After an elaboration of the paradigm shift concerning religious education in Europe, we will give a critical presentation of the Belgian and Flemish system of religious education. The article continues with a discussion of diverse proposals to change the religious education system in Flanders, and concludes that the introduction of an independent, nondenominational, and obligatory subject about religions, ethics, citizenship, and philosophy is the most promising option. In addition, denominational religious education can still be offered as an optional subject. This double system seems the best approach to cope with the educational challenges, the freedom of religion, and (religious) education in Flanders today.