Our pluriform society is home to an increasing array of view points and traditions—many of which are informed and sustained by religious conviction. Grasping the fundamentals of world religions is, arguably, paramount for citizens of the 21st century. Yet how can students be equipped for such a task?
The challenge also is particularly pressing for Catholic educators, whose faith tradition, especially since Vatican II, has sought to formulate a theology of World Religions. Moreover, the move to integrate World Religions further into the Religious Education Curriculum has created greater demand for such theological knowledge, language, and vision. This presentation seeks to provide the basic perspectives on how Catholicism views and engages other faith traditions in the 21st century--and proffers various models and analogies for how these views can be presented in the classroom.