Teaching About Religion in a Democratic Society: An Analysis of the Quebec Ethics and Religious Culture Program

Abstract

In this article, the author reviews the Quebec Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) program, aimed to prepare students to understand religions, from the work of Nel Noddings on teaching about religion in democratic society. Both the ERC program and Nel Noddings concur that teaching about religion contributes to democratic values. However, they disagree on the teaching methods. The ERC program approaches religion phenomenologically, an approach for which it has been criticized in the past. Noddings recommends a more holistic approach based on philosophical, epistemological and critical teaching methods. These recommendations could help enhance the actual program and overcome some of its criticisms.