Greek-Cypriot teachers’ perceptions of religious education and its contribution to peace: perspectives of (in)compatibility in a divided society

Abstract

This paper explores the ways in which a group of primary school teachers in Cyprus interprets religious education and its contribution to peace. In particular, this phenomenological exploratory study: first, examines how teachers perceive religious education and whether this conceptualization is considered to be (in)compatible with peace in the context of a conflict-affected society; and, second, shows some of the tensions that exist in the aims of religious education between the desire to encourage mutual understanding and exposure to religious pluralism, on the one hand, and the political demands for entrenching ethnic cleavages, on the other. Although these tensions are largely contextual, they nevertheless raise two important issues that are worthwhile to consider for religious education and peace in conflict-affected societies: first, the ‘naturalization’ of religion and religious instruction, on the one hand, vs. the recognition that some models of religious instruction (i.e. confessional teaching) might actually limit the space within which teachers can make contributions to peace, on the other; and, second, the tension between the different models of religious education within a conflict-affected society and particularly which model would strategically and politically serve best the purposes of peace in the short- and long-term.

Keywords:

• Religious education
• divided societies
• peace education
• primary school teachers
• phenomenological study

Notes

1. The total number of teachers in each school district from which teachers have been selected is: Nicosia 1198, Limassol 828, Larnaca 564, Famagusta 229, Paphos 403.

2. The urban area of Famagusta is currently occupied by the Turkish troops, so there is no access to it.

3. Even though ‘mullah’ is a Muslim person educated in religion, in the context of Cyprus it is often used to describe all Muslims or Arabs in a derogatory way.

4. We are indebted to an anonymous reviewer for suggesting these questions.