Religious Education or Education about Religion?

Overview & Synopsis

In this reply to Agbaria's reflections on religious authority I first make a distinction between three forms of authority: theological, sociological and educational. Defending the need for a purely educational account of authority, I develop with Arendt a thing-centered approach towards education. This allows me to transcend the traditional opposition between teacher -- and student-centered views in education. From this perspective I argue for making a further distinction, viz. between "religious education" and "education about religion." I will defend the last approach towards teaching about religion and conclude this reply by making some suggestions regarding what this teaching entails with reference to religious painting.