'These religions are no good - they're nothing but idol worship': mis/representation of religion in Religious Education at school in Malawi and Ghana

• Published in: British journal of religious education Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 155 - 173
• Main Authors: Matemba, Yonah, Addai-Mununkum, Richardson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03.04.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Academic Discourse; citizenship; Citizenship Responsibility; Classroom Communication; Comparative religion; False information; Foreign Countries; Misconceptions; misrepresentation; multi-faith RE; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Religion; Religious Education; Secondary School Students; Stakeholders; Student Attitudes; sub-Saharan Africa; Teacher Attitudes; Malawi; Ghana; Sub-Saharan Africa
• ISSN: 0141-6200; 1740-7931
• DOI: 10.1080/01416200.2017.1329706

This article draws data from two complementary studies in sub-Saharan Africa to highlight the problem of religious misrepresentation in (multi-faith) Religious Education (RE) at school in Malawi and Ghana. Employing Michael Apples' conception of selective tradition, the article is critical of the confrontational disputation inherent in the RE in the two countries. The misrepresentation is analysed under themes related to classroom discourse and the nature of religion. It argues that RE could actually be counter-productive and thus end up misrepresenting religions instead of promoting them. Unless there is a radical shift in the areas identified, the subject will continue to present a distorted picture of religion and thus fail in its civic responsibility as a curriculum area that is perhaps best placed to inculcate pro-social values towards citizenship in a world of religious diversity.