Secular Principle: Dialogic RE from A Catholic Perspective

The Catholic Church calls for "educating to fraternal humanism" through Pope Francis' encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti. This vision of a pluralist society includes three realms: sacred, secular, and profane, where a fortified secular realm acts as a buffer. A socially productive pedagogy is advocated as a starting point for developing a procedurally secular society, supporting critical RE from liberal education and critical faith pedagogy from the Catholic tradition.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2021
Publisher: Peter Lang International Academic Publishers

The Catholic Church has recently issued a compelling call for "educating to fraternal humanism," as highlighted in Pope Francis' encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti. This vision of fraternal humanism seeks to create a pluralist society where all voices are valued and heard, in contrast to previous positions that either outright rejected pluralist societies or sought to Christianize them. This book presents an alternative Dominican Thomist perspective on a procedurally secular society, comprising three realms: sacred, secular, and profane. This society is grounded in human reasoning, where Catholic and liberal thinkers collaborate to build a harmonious and inclusive community.

In this procedurally secular society, the public sphere is pluralist and open to all voices. Drawing from experience and classroom research into dialogic RE interventions, the book advocates for a socially productive pedagogy as a foundational approach to developing a procedurally secular society. It identifies a common ground pathway that supports both critical RE from liberal education and critical faith pedagogy from the Catholic tradition, fostering a rich and nuanced understanding of religion and society.

By embracing fraternal humanism and promoting a procedurally secular society, the Catholic Church aims to create a more inclusive and harmonious world where diverse perspectives are respected and valued. This vision aligns with the Church's commitment to promoting dialogue, understanding, and social justice, and it offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussions about religion, society, and human flourishing.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 160 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789976434
Edition number: New ed