Young people’s dis/engagement with religion in contemporary society: implications for religious education in Botswana

This chapter examines how young people dis/engage with religion in contemporary society, and the implications of this dynamic on school Religious Education (RE) in Botswana. It demonstrates how the beliefs and experiences of contemporary young people in Botswana are influenced superficially by religions in their community since they lack knowledge about narratives of religions. The age of young people also determined their level of religious belief, with the younger appearing ‘secure’ in religion while the older being apathetic towards religion and increasingly reflecting a secular outlook. The findings challenge current practice in the design and delivery of RE based on what society thinks is needed rather than drawing on the concerns and contemporary needs of young people. The latter is nonetheless necessary if RE is to remain relevant for learners in an increasingly complex socio-cultural world impacted by competing forces in contemporary society such as modernity, religious belief, and secular influences.