Religious Education and the Large Group Identity

Abstract

A quality upbringing and education are the foundation of economic and social development of every society. Educational system is a place where social values, aspirations and vision of the future are best presented. Education in post-conflict societies is, however, a focal point of determining the long-term development and stabilisation after a conflict. In such a society, education may initiate reconciliation, mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance, but it may also deepen segregation, intolerance and division. This double role of education–constructive and destructive–is described as “a two-faced education. When considering educational goals, it should be kept in mind that the goal of education is acquiring and developing essential competencies necessary for work and employment, as well as for active social and civil activities. The main argument of this article is that education forms individual and collective identities, as well as the feeling of belonging to certain groups named “large group identity”.