Exploring the Value of Special Religious Education in Multifaith Australia among Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews and Baha’i

Abstract This article analyses the value of religious education in Australian government schools, including the contribution of the combination of Special Religious Education/Instruction (SRE/RI) and General Religious Education (GRE) to contemporary society. It is based on qualitative, grounded research with 58 interviews representing the six major faith groups in Australia—Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, and Baha’i, as well as drawing on McCrindle’s quantitative and qualitative data in an unpublished report co-written with the authors. The findings show that SRE contributes to values education, religious identity development and health and wellbeing. The SRE classes multiculturalise the schools and provide support to students who experience religious bullying in schools.