Developing the Religion and Worldviews Curriculum as Education for Democracy

Abstract In democracies, to be democratic is a condition not a style of education. Regarding English religious education (RE), the Commission on Religious Education (CORE) proposals drew criticisms including a lack of curriculum coherence. But coherence means with the school’s values, not just clarity on content or progression. A subject should look outward for its purpose(s), which is more apparent in RE internationally. The Big Ideas resource has the potential to overcome CORE’s openness on content or progression but needs situating in broader social concerns. A Religion and Worldviews curriculum must be developed as education for democracy wherever the society sees itself as democratic.