Zbornik Radova Filozofskog Fakulteta u Prištini (Jan 2013)

Religious education in holistic concept of education as a possible answer to global challenges of humanity

  • Anđelković Petar M.

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2013, no. 43-2
pp. 277 – 299

Abstract

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Figure of humanity, at the beginning of the new millennium, under the influence of globalist monstrous machinery, all prefer negative utopias of Franz Kafka and George Orwell facing with the darkest perspectives of these authors. The crisis dissipates and cancels a series of conceptual and ideological constructs and values: tradition, morality, humanism. The doom of dehumanisation and the loss of the human figure threaten us. In these bad times, in 'Time of Snake' educational profession, especially religious education belongs to one of the most important roles in society. What educational and human characteristics should a good teacher of religious education have today? Can we allow ourselves to be weak people and bad teachers in these difficult times? All of this suggests that the call of religious education teacher is determined by the narrow methodological principles of gnoseology, ethical, axiological and deontological principles, which (like Kant's moral imperative) religious educationalist must be guided in their research and human society and its educational mission of prophethood. Transfer of religious knowledge does not go and does not need to go first to achieve simple mechanical formula of memorising religious or uncritical adherence to a social norm (without consideration of the content), but seeks to help children and young people discover the fullness and sense of social life. When we understand the 'why' we can boldly deal with any 'how.' Religious education teacher with his whole being, in appearance, is to testify about what they speak. Education is a lively learning that is not only taught from books, but also from the source of life, and in this case, it is the society in which we live. Question of education, what is well known, is a very important question for every human community. If one should easily accept alternative educational solutions which are so generously offered, with financial help, that would mean that we give up on all of our values and tradition by which we are recognised in the world. That means that we will wonder around and seek new identity with small chances of finding it. Well known is the message that when people are no longer capable of passing ideals to their youths, the community is dying. We can guide our Serbian damaged ship through dark caves, between Scylla (sacrificing yourself to the great dragon - 'golden ox' or 'Trojan horse' ), Charybdis (loneliness and separation) like Noah from incoming flood, if we truly and honestly go back to our religion, our roots, our beginnings, our orthodoxy. Religious education in holistic concept whose accent is on humane and not technical education (knowledge=verity) should be given an important place.

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