Freedom of Expression and Promoting Tolerance: Learning Experiences from Early Childhood

Abstract

Starting from the important question ‘Is it really impossible or dangerous to speak about religion?’ in the first part this article highlights the importance of dialogue in education. It demonstrates how implementation of dialogical education can be beneficial for children and young people who learn to take up and face the challenge posed by multiculturalism and multi-religiosity in our modern societies. In the second part, this article provides a brief discussion of research in educational psychology about religious education and the ‘Philosophy for Children’ method, or ‘community of enquiry’. This specific area of research emphasizes the necessary integration of this method in religious education since it would be beneficial in terms of social cohesion, among other things.