The diversity of experience in the religious upbringing of children from Christian families in Britain

Abstract

Unlike the 1944 Education Act, the 1988 Education Reform Act permits the study of different Christian denominations. The research reported gives information on aspects of Christianity in the experience of a group of eight to thirteen year old children from different denominational and ethnic backgrounds in Coventry. Using ethnographic field data, the article outlines some children's perceptions of the Holy Spirit, Baptism, Holy Communion and Saints, the responses illustrating a diversity of practices and belief, but showing a unity of belief in ‘God and Jesus’ and a general involvement in public worship. Each child's particular experience of Christian upbringing could be plotted on the four axes of ethnicity, denomination, belief and ritual practice. It is suggested that curriculum material based on Christian children's experience could be included in studies of Christianity forming part of religious education programmes in schools.