Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- Education, Religion and Religions in Education -- The Secular Principle—A Guiding Compass -- Ideologies and Inclusion -- RI, RE and R&E—An International Snapshot -- The Philosophy of Plural, Critical Pedagogy -- Religion, Schools and Politics—The Mix in Australia -- RI and RE in Australian Schools—The State of Play -- Secular Failure—A History From Two Australian States -- De-Secularisation—A History from Queensland -- Inside Australian RI—Intent And Implications -- Summary and Conclusions -- References -- Index.

Cathy Byrne presents the secular principle as a guiding compass for religion in government schools in plural democracies. Using in-depth case studies, historical and contextual research from Australia, and comparisons with other developed nations, Religion in Secular Education provides a comprehensive, at times confronting, analysis of the ideologies, policies, pedagogies, and practices for state-school religion. In the context of rising demands for students to develop intercultural competence and interreligious literacy, and alongside increasing Christian evangelism in the public arena, this book highlights risks and implications as education develops religious identity – in individual children and in nation states. Byrne proposes a best practice framework for nations attempting to navigate towards socially inclusive outcomes and critical thinking in religions education policy.