Es muss sich etwas verändern! Religionsunterricht in Österreich – empirische Blitzlichter aus der schulischen Praxis und Überlegungen zur konzeptionellen Weiterentwicklung

Religious Education in Austria – Empirical Flashlights from School Practice and Considerations on Conceptual Further Development

Abstract

An orientation of denominational religious education in Austria that is future-compliant has become an intensively reflected topic. The article contextualizes argumentations and common suggestions for the changing religious education in German-speaking countries presented in recent years. Supplemented by empirically supported perceptions and desiderata of teachers, pupils and headmasters, impulses for a careful and organic development concerning either conceptual and organizational questions are given. First results show that forms of religious education which are sensitive to pluralism also require plural forms of organization and that there is a need for coordination of the 15 churches and religious societies currently involved. Furthermore, the results suggest that initial steps towards change are possible in the given legal framework.