Spiritual Education in a Divided World: Social, Environmental and Pedagogical Perspectives on the Spirituality of Children and Young People

Summary

In the era of globalization debate has turned to the vital need for a thorough understanding of its impact on the spirituality and health of the youth of today. Spiritual Education in a Divided World recognises the urgent need for effective research in this area. This exceptional volume takes an interdisciplinary approach to tackle the key questions. Bringing together leading international experts, including Zygmunt and Mary Grey, the book combines research and training issues with practical professional experiences.

The first section examines how globalized patterns of economics, conflict and consumerism are affecting the spirituality and imagination of children, young people and their families. In the second and third sections, practical responses from research and from professional experience are presented and critically evaluated.

Readers in professions across teaching, youth work, social work, chaplaincy, nursing, mental health, as well as those concerned with community economics and environmental issues, will find in this volume an exciting, diverse and coherent collection of essays which offers wider perspectives on their work.

This book was previously published as a special issue of The International Journal of Children’s Spirituality.

Table of Contents

PREFACE

1. Children Make you Happier ….and Poorer

Zygmunt Bauman (Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Leeds, UK)

DIAGNOSIS

2. The disenchantment and re-enchantment of childhood in the climate of globalisation

Mary Grey (D.J. James Professor of Pastoral Theology, University of Wales, Lampeter, UK)

3. The Child as Consumer: A North American problem of ambivalence concerning the spirituality of childhood in late capitalist consumer culture

Joyce Anne Mercer (Associate professor of Practical Theology and Christian Education, San Francisco Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union, California, USA)

4. Violence, Fundamentalism and Education

Mark Chater (Reader in Education and Tutor in Theology and Education, Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln, UK)

5. Green Issues in Education

Raven LeFay (Environmental researcher and campaigner, Dartington, UK)

PRAXIS

6. Impediments to the Realisation of Spiritual Education in Hong Kong, and their Possible Mitigation

Ping Ho Wong (Senior lecturer, Hong Kong Institute of Education)

7. Education for Hope in a Third World Culture: A Review of an Indigenous Educational Project in Uganda and its Spiritual Foundation

Michael McMurtary (Lay Pastor on Worship and Renewal, Emmanuel Church, Woking, UK):

8. "Just Tell Them Stories": The Nurture of the Spirit of the Child in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials

John Pridmore (Rector of Hackney Parish Church, Hackney, London, UK)

9. Wrestling with the Spirit(ual): Grappling with Theory and Location

Daniel Scott (Assistant Propfessor and Graduate Adviser, School of Child and Youth care, University of Victoria, B.C., Canada)

10. What is on a Child’s Spiritual Agenda?

Joyce Bellous (Associate Professor, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)

11. A Methodology for Addressing Spiritual Education within Religious Education

Clive Erricker (County Inspector for Religious Education, Hamsphire, UK)

12. Connection, Resilience and Empathy: the Spiritual Aspects of Education

Marian de Souza (Lecturer and Student Adviser, School of Religious Education, Australian catholic University)

13. Children’s Spirituality in Social Context: A South African Example

Cornelia Roux (Professor in Religious Studies and Religious Education, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa):

14. Creating an Idyllic World for Children’s Spiritual Formation

Karen-Marie Yust (Assistant Professor of Christian Education, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, USA)

15. "Spiritual Development" and Inclusivity: The Need for a Critical Democratic Approach

Jacqueline Watson (Research Assistant, Keswick Hall Religious Education Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK)

16. A Risky Business: The potential of groupwork for spiritual education

Cathy Ota (Research Fellow, Education Research Centre, University of Brighton, UK):

Editor(s) Bio

 Dr Cathy Ota is Senior Research Fellow in the Working With Others Research and Education Unit at the University of Brighton, UK. She is co-editor of the International Journal of Children’s Spirituality.

Dr Mark Chater is curriculum adviser with responsibility for Religious Education at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, based in London, UK, and is Honorary Research Fellow at Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln. He is a consulting editor of the International Journal of Children's Spirituality.