What are the key debates in Religious Education teaching today? "Debates in Religious Education" explores the major issues all RE teachers encounter in their daily professional lives. It encourages critical reflection and aims to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers to think more deeply about their practice, and link research and evidence to what they have observed in schools. This accessible book tackles established and contemporary issues enabling you to reach informed judgements and argue your point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding. Taking account of recent controversy, and challenging assumptions about the place of religion in education, expert contributors cover key topics such as: (1) Effective pedagogy in RE teaching; (2) Exploring thinking skills and truth claims; (3) The relationship of science and religion in the classroom; (4) The place of school worship in contemporary society; (5) The role of RE in spiritual and moral development; and (6) Diversity in the RE classroom. With its combination of expert opinion and fresh insight, "Debates in Religious Education" is the ideal companion for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial training, continuing professional development and Masters level study. This book begins with "Entering the Debate," an introduction by L. Philip Barnes. Part 1, History, Policy and Purpose, contains: (1) Why Religious Education Matters (Brenda Watson); (2) RE in the United Kingdom and Ireland Introduction (L. Philip Barnes) (i) England and Wales (David Lundie) (ii) Northern Ireland (David Armstrong) (iii) Scotland (Stephen McKinney) (iv) Republic of Ireland (Kevin Williams); and (3) Agreed Syllabuses (William K. Kay). Part 2, Educational Issues and Religious Education, contains: (4) Diversity (L. Philip Barnes); (5) Gender (Gemma Odell); (6) Faith, Education and Whole School Issues (Trevor Cooling); (7) Faith Schools (J. Mark Halstead); (8) Citizenship and Human Rights (Mark Pike); (9) Spiritual and Moral Development (Tony Eaude); (10) Social Cohesion (Rosemary Woodward); (11) Humanism (Marius Felderhof); (12) Research (Leslie J. Francis); and (13) European Developments (Robert Jackson). Part 3, Issues in Teaching and Learning in Religious Education, contains: (14) Constructing Religion (Roger Homan); (15) Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans (David Aldridge); (16) Pedagogy (Vivienne Baumfield); (17) Differentiation (Nigel Fancourt); (18) Thinking Skills (Elina Wright and Andrew Wright); (19) Assessment (Lat Blaylock); (20) Information and Computer Technologies (Paul Hopkins); and (21) Science and Religion Michael Poole.