Student Spirituality and Educational Authority

This article explores the situation of student spirituality in the secular educational system, and considers some of the philosophical, emotional and practical challenges it presents to educational authority. Students are increasingly interested in spirituality, and yet the secular system finds it h...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Tacey, David (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Taylor & Francis 2002
In: International journal of children's spirituality
Year: 2002, Volume: 7, Issue: 2, Pages: 171-182
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article explores the situation of student spirituality in the secular educational system, and considers some of the philosophical, emotional and practical challenges it presents to educational authority. Students are increasingly interested in spirituality, and yet the secular system finds it hard to absorb, direct or respond to these interests. In the recent past, it has often dealt with this uprising of spiritual interest by dismissing it as 'New Age' activity, not worthy of respect. But we have to move beyond such glib and dismissive assertions to examine the real dynamics at the heart of this revolutionary moment, in which the maps of culture, belief, and knowledge are being redrawn. The post-modern era is one in which 'spirit' demands to be taken seriously, and we can only move forward by listening deeply and attentively to the new impulses stirring in youth and culture. Student spirituality and theoretical Marxism may appear to be diametrically opposed, but closer scrutiny finds that they have much in common and spring from a similar radical source. Educational authority at all levels is challenged to take the challenges of spirituality seriously, to allow it to change what constitutes learning.
ISSN:1469-8455
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal of children's spirituality
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/1364436022000009082