Abstract:
Many countries around the world, including Australia, have secularism expressed in their
identity. However, as these secular nations (as they understand themselves) shift into postsecular societies, it raises questions around the place and content of religious education and
instruction in secular settings: particularly in regard to the shadow side of theological views,
such as on the matter of hell. Acknowledging the valuable contribution religious education
offers by providing a space for children to question and search for meaning, how or indeed
should hell be taught to children in public (secular) schools?
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : In the context of the secular and/or
non-religious public reflex in society, there is a tension on the place of religious thought in
secular educational settings. As scrutiny increases of what, and how, religious material is
shared and taught, especially to children, the role and place of hell in this space must be
reviewed. This study provides a basis for Practical Theology in post-secular societies, utilising
the Australian context, to do so.
