One way that this situation may be addressed is for...

One way that this situation may be addressed is for educators and students to become better informed about the different beliefs and practices of adherents of different religions; this should include the differences of belief and practice within particular traditions that pertain to culture and geographical location, for instance, recognizing that differences exist between Muslims from different countries just as differences exist between Christians from different countries.

As well, it could be beneficial to examine elements of different traditions that bear similarities to one another and which may provide a unifying component. In this respect, it may be possible to begin with the perennial philosophy contained in all the great wisdom traditions.

In the mid twentieth century, an extensive study by Huxley (1954) alerted western scholars to this very feature: Philosophia perennis… the metaphysic that recognizes a divine Reality substantial to the world of things and lives and minds; the psychology that finds in the soul something similar to, or even identical with, divine Reality; the ethic that places man’s final end in the knowledge of the immanent and transcendent Ground of all being - the thing is immemorial and universal (Huxley, 1945, p.

9). Huxley described two thought patterns to all the main religions, the esoteric and the exoteric. The first subscribes to the metaphysic of a divine Reality at the core of being; it is the spiritual, almost secretive face of religion and is practised by only a few adherents. The second is the exoteric form which is the public form by which the religion is usually identified, that is, through its rituals, practices, architecture and so on.

Arguably, it is this latter form in today’s world that tends to exclusivity; it provides a boundary around its followers which promotes a sense of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Thus, in the hands of some, the exoteric form may encourage divisiveness but we need to keep in mind that the essence of esoteric thinking is connectedness. 4. Further, it is important to recognize the role of engagement with people who are different in moving the individual from tolerance to empathy and compassion. 5.

Finally, it would be useful for religious educators to encourage discussions, forums and research that will lead to public debate about the significance of inter-religious studies for all children which, potentially, could promote social and spiritual capital in pluralist contexts. B.