RE rooted in the principal’s biography

Critical incidents in the biography of principals appear to be steering in their innovative way of constructing InterReligious Education in their schools. In this contribution, the authors present the biographical narratives of 4 principals: 1 principal introducing interreligious education in a Christian school, and 3 principals constructing a way of living apart together from a Christian, Islamic, and humanist point of view respectively. To understand (Verstehen) the principals’ narratives and their innovative initiatiatives, the authors take as their theoretical frame of reference the concept of criticial incidents, the dialogical self theory, and the concept of materialized religion. From the analysis of the principals biographies, the authors arrive at a tentative conclusion that a solid education in a life orientation (be it humanistic, Christian, or Islamic) paired with an authentic curiosity toward “the other” seems to be preconditional for innovative actions in RE preparing pupils for a future they themselves are going to build.