Diskussioner förda kring kursplanereformer i Religionskunskap - genom linsen Religion och Livsfrågor, tidsskrift publicerad av Föreningen Lärare i Religionskunskap 1967-2020

Abstract

This study analyses the Religious studies subject in Sweden based on discussions held between 1979-1982, 1993-1996 and 2010-2013 in the publication Religion och Livsfrågor, published by Föreningen Lärare i Religionskunskap, an organization for teachers in the subject Religious Studies in Swedish schools. The study inquires about the role religious education plays in the Swedish school system, how it is justified, what knowledge and abilities are of importance and how the subject contributes to the nurturing of democratic citizens. This is done through an inductive content analysis of 48 issues of the publication with a specific focus on articles. The study discusses these aspects with the theoretical perspectives Critical Religion, the World Religions Paradigm and Religious Literacy in mind. The results show an ambition to make a subject that builds religious literacy through challenging current representations of religion in the meeting between people. They also show a progression from an existential studyof- religions to a scientific study-of-religions.