Neutralitet : En studie av ämneslärare i religionskunskaps förhållningssätt till momentet tro och vetenskap i religionskunskap 1 på gymnasiet

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this essay was to study how Swedish teachers of religion view and contemplate topics like diversity, neutrality, subject view and the relationship between religion and science, in teaching of the “religious belief and science” theme, at the upper secondary level. The “religious belief and science” theme is included in the basic religion course (Religionskunskap 1) in Swedish upper secondary schools and therefore it is likewise a mandatory course and, furthermore, theme, for Swedish students at this level. However, due to the multicultural nature of the current Swedish society, which includes people and students with a broad variety of cultural and religious backgrounds, it is arguably a complex task to teach a theme which include two such contrasted §phenomena, in a context which is based on natural science. Consequently, religion and religious beliefs risk being designated as abnormal. During this study, teachers were interviewed and asked about their experiences teaching this theme and about their views of the topics above, utilizing a qualitative research method. The results derived from this study were many and some results stood out. Regarding diversity among students and students´ backgrounds, the theme clearly requires planning and a certain attentiveness from teachers in order to neutralize and counteract intolerance among students. Furthermore, regarding neutrality and subject view, teachers´ own opinion and subject view in accordance to the theme seems to affect the teaching, even though teachers aspirations might be to appear neutral and to clearly take a neutral stand. Regarding teachers´ view on the relationship between religion and science, a majority of teachers consider both perspectives equally relevant and, additionally, that they bring unique perspectives on complex questions and matters.