Religious Education in Asia Spiritual Diversity in Globalized Times

The book examines ancient religious traditions and modernity in a globalized Asia that is as much in need of a moral compass as it is economic development. Religious education has been an aspect of many societies over time and irrespective of culture. Yet as globalization advances local values are challenged every day by internationalized discourses and global perspectives. It is this context that provides the rationale for this edited book. It seeks to understand what forms religious education takes in Asian contexts and what role it continues to play. On the one hand, the societies which are the subject of this book reflect ancient religious traditions but on the other they are responsible for a significant portion of the world’s economic development. The book will appeal to researchers interested in the current state of religious education in Asia, policymakers with responsibility for religious education and teachers who practice religious education on a daily basis.

1.Introduction: Religion, modernities and education: Contexts for Asia’s religious education, Kerry J. Kennedy & J.C.K. Lee 2. Religious education in China: Religious diversity and citizenship building, Zhenzhou Zhao and Nazim Aman 3. Taiwanese students’ attitudes to religious education and its impact on civic values, Chris Hin Wah Cheung 4. Changing religious education in Hong Kong: Emergence of Madrasah learning, Wai-Yip Ho 5. Religious harmony in Singapore schools: Issues and challenges, Charlene Tan 6. Character education: The future key for developing Indonesian citizens with character, Theodorus Pangalila 7. Religion, ideology and education in Thailand, Thithimadee Arphattananon 8. Leadership quality for an integrated religious school in Malaysia, Umi Kalthom Abdul Manaf 9. On the complexities of current religious education in Korea, Chae Young Kim 10. The mission of evangelization of Catholic educational institutions in the Philippines: Challenges, opportunities and hurdles, Pilar IsidoroRomero 11. Religious education in Bangladesh: History, politics and curriculum, Miron Bhowmik & Goutam Roy 12. Conclusion: Religious education as a regional influence on life and development in Asia, J.C.K. Lee & Kerry J Kennedy

Kerry J. Kennedy is an emeritus professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Advisor (Academic Development) at The Education University of Hong Kong. He is also a distinguished visiting professor in Curriculum Studies in the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg. John Chi-Kin Lee is Vice President (Academic) and Provost, UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction as well as Director of Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK).