‘When You Pray, Go To Your Private Room’ A Reply to Adrian Thatcher

Abstract

In a previous issue of BJRE the experiential approach in religious education was attacked as ‘deeply flawed’. This article responds by showing that the author has radically misunderstood the methodology. Experiential education does not have dualistic assumptions; unlike most other approaches to education it gives particular prominence to embodiment in learning. Its use of the metaphor of ‘inwardness’ points towards depth; it also echoes an emphasis found throughout the western religious tradition. Finally, the alleged link with privatized and quietistic religion is shown to be false. The methodology is in fact a powerful and educationally responsible way of responding to the requirements of the Education Reform Act