Interreligious learning as a precondition for peace education: lessons from the past: John Amos Comenius (1592-1670

Abstract
During the last decades the concept of interreligious education has been developed in which exploration and personal identity formation form important aspects. The increasing multi-cultural and multi-religious society requires open, respectful, and tolerant attitudes for which schools have to prepare. Therefore, theorists on interreligious education emphasize that education should have an inclusive stance toward the truth: no religion can claim to grasp the whole truth. But, would this not lead to relativism? In this article the authors investigate J.A. Comenius’ (1592–1670) contribution to this question. He was a pietistic Christian theologian, educationalist, and school reformer who was victim of several religious clashes. His whole life he was wondering how education could contribute to enhance peace and wisdom among citizens. For him God was the ultimate truth. Therefore religion played an important role is his considerations and solutions. The authors are of the opinion that for more than one reason Comenius can be an inspiring partner in dialogue for contemporary theorists on interreligious education.