Distinction, Identification, and Recognition: Teachers on Orthodox Protestant Schools on their Faith and Religious Others

Strong religious schools emphasize their own religious community and faith. However, in the interest of social
cohesion, it is important to know what the teachers in these schools believe about religious diversity. We conducted
sixteen in-depth interviews with Christian primary school teachers about the Christian faith and their beliefs regarding
religious others. People’s relationship with God is a central issue in their beliefs, and beliefs about religious others
speak to issues of distinction, identification, or recognition. However, teachers show ambivalence when it comes to
concrete encounters. We consider it valuable that teachers are stimulated to actively discuss contrasting beliefs.