“Coming Out Religiously!” Religion, the Public Sphere, and Religious Identity Formation

Abstract

In this Presidential Address 2013 the author's plea is threefold. First, to strive for a legitimate place of religions and worldviews in the public square within the playing field of liberal-democratic societies. Second, to foster the religious or worldview identity formation of students as an inclusive part of the embracing personhood formation for all students in both public and denominational schools, and to strengthen the development of their self responsible self-determination in respect to religions and worldviews. Third, dialogue, encounter, and understanding each other should be seen as the devices, instead of policies and practices fostered by anxiety, fear, and disrespect. Thus, pedagogues, politicians, administrators, teachers, and leaders of religious and worldview communities and societal organizations should join forces for the best educational arrangements to let the religious and worldview identity formation of students flourish. This will also be beneficial for the common good, for society broadly speaking.