When viewed on the internet, the waterslides and pools at Amman Waves look deserted, but when paying a visit they are filled with children, women and men in various kinds of swim wear. At Amman Waves women’s swim wear fashion ranges from small bikinis to swim-suits that cover every part of a woman’s body except the face, hands and feet. In this article these differences in covering are discussed and categorized in relation to Islamic law. It is argued that this variation in swim wear also has relevance for European societies since it shows possibilities for negotiations (agreement) between traditional Islamic ideals and ideals in modern Western societies.

This is the introduction chapter to the book: Your heritage and mine: teaching in a multi-religious classroom. The multi-religious character of most societies of our time challenges teachers and students within all levels of education to develop new models
for studying religion, ones which can more adequately equip students for their everyday life and professional careers in these societies. In such settings,a confessional study of religion may no longer be sufficient preparation.

This case study explores Asperger’s syndrome, religion and spirituality from a cognitive perspective. Asperger’s syndrome (AS) is a high functioning form of autism, and research has shown that the theory of mind (sometimes called ‘mindreading’) is reduced in individuals with AS. According to theories from the psychology of religion, this ability is needed to ’communicate’ with supernatural and invisible forces, such as gods or spirits. In interviews with four informants who are diagnosed with AS, this question, as well as their general reasoning on religion and spirituality is explored, examining if cognitive tools such as theory of mind (ToM), existential theory of mind (EToM) and hypersensitive agency detection device (HADD) seem to be at work.

This essay examines the didactic IE-method of ‘Children of Abraham’ from a gender perspective. The method aims at pointing out similarities between the Abrahamic religions for pupils through working with legends and texts that are relevant for both Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

This timely study explores the formulation of Islamic Religious Education (IRE) at three Swedish Muslim schools that offer extracurricular IRE from 1 to 3 hours per week. Its aim is to contribute knowledge of how IRE is formed as a confessional school subject within the framework and under the jurisdiction of the Swedish school system.