Religion in Textbooks and among Young Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This article presents three studies of religious beliefs and practices among young Norwegian Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus related to the presentation of these religions in religious education textbooks. Drawing on analyses of textbook presentations and group interviews with young informants from the three religions, the studies show that there are similarities as well as divergences between the textbook presentations and the descriptions given by the informants. By showing how textbooks may emphasize aspects of religions that the informants find marginal or exotic, this article adds to the understanding of the complex challenges posed to religious education by an increasingly multicultural context.