Children and God in the multicultural society¹

1. This study is a part of a research project called ‘Young Peoples’ Philosophy of Life and the School’s Value Foundation’, led by Professor Sven G. Hartman at the Stockholm Institute of Education.

Abstract

What kind of perceptions of God do children have? Do they believe in God? Does change take place over time and is there a connection with changes in society? These questions are answered on the basis of texts and surveys involving children between 8 and 12 years of age in Sweden during 2002 and similar material from the years 1969, 1979 and 1987–90. Results show that children who do not know what to believe make up the largest group throughout the period. Perceptions of God are relatively stable over time but belief in Allah as well as personal relationships with God seem to be more common. The proportion of children who believe was visibly greater than the proportion of non‐believers in 2002, which disrupts the tendency running up to 1990 where the proportion of non‐believing children was on the increase and is greater than the proportion of believers. Issues about God also get a higher ranking order in 2002. A careful interpretation shows that a change has taken place. The number of children with foreign backgrounds has increased. While the tendency in ethnically Swedish schools remains the same, believers constitute the majority in multi‐ethnic areas, and also among Swedish children. This suggests an increasing interest and dialogue among all children in multi‐ethnic schools about religious matters. Great demands are placed on the teaching of religion and ethics in order to capture this increase in interest.

Keywords:

• Children
• conceptions of God
• secularisation
• multicultural society
• religious education

Notes

1. This study is a part of a research project called ‘Young Peoples’ Philosophy of Life and the School’s Value Foundation’, led by Professor Sven G. Hartman at the Stockholm Institute of Education.