L. Philip Barnes is Emeritus Reader in Religious and Theological Education at King's College London and Visiting Scholar in the Institute of Irish Studies, Queen's University Belfast.

Introduction: Entering the Debate; Section 1: History, policy and purposse; 1. Aims of religious education; 2. Religious Education in the United Kingdom and Ireland; 3. Agreed Syllabuses and the role of Standing Advisory Councils on religious education; Section 2: Educational Issues and Religious Education; 4. Compulsion, conscience and the right of withdrawal; 5. Religious education and collective worship: a reconnection?; 6. Faith schools; 7. Religious education and education for democracy; 8. Spiritual and moral development; 9. Can and should religious education promote 'warmer' community relations?; 10. Empirical research; 11. Developments in European religious education - between marginalisation and a sustainable perspective; Section 3: Issues in teaching and learning in religious education; 12. Constructing Religion; 13. Religious literacy and/or religious education?; 14. Multi-faith religious education: A theoretical and practical conundrum; 15. Argumentation and religious education; 16. Relating science and religion; 17. Relationships and Sex Education

This essential book provides a comprehensive introduction to current debates in religious education. Exploring the rich variety of opinions and ideas that constitute and impact upon religious education, both novice and experienced teachers will benefit from deepening their theoretical knowledge and understanding through reading Debates in Religious Education. This second edition has fully updated all chapters and included an additional thirteen new contributions, providing a provocative yet informative introduction to current debates and allowing teachers to reach informed decisions about how they approach this subject.
Responding to recent controversy and challenging assumptions about the place of religion in education, expert contributors cover key topics such as:
The aims of religious education
Religious education in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Agreed syllabuses and the role of Standing Advisory Councils
Educational issues, such as the right of withdrawal, collective worship, and faith schools
Teaching and learning in religious education
Multi-faith religious education
Relating science and religion.
With its combination of expert opinion and fresh insight, this essential text is the ideal companion for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial training, continuing professional development or Master's-level study.