Mellom empati og eksotisme: Hinduisme som «den andre» i KRLE på 6. trinn

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative classroom study on how sixth-grade students in two religiously diverse Norwegian classrooms engage with Hinduism in the subject KRLE (Christianity, religion, worldviews and ethics) Neither the students nor the teacher had a Hindu background. Through classroom observations, interviews and observing a joint excursion to a Hindu temple, the study explores Hinduism's position as "the other" in religious education. Drawing on theories of religion, empathy, exoticism and othering, the article analyzes how students respond to unfamiliar and unexpected religious practices and ideas. The study contributes to the broader discourse on religious education by providing insights into how students engage with and understand religious diversity.