Comprehensive Schools as the Frontier of Religious Education: Current Developments and Emerging Principles in Germany

Abstract The denominational model of religious education (RE) in German public schools faces pressure from demographic change, declining attendance, and concerns over dividing students by religion. Comprehensive schools, known for their diverse student bodies, have become key testing grounds for new RE models. This article highlights recent shifts in the German school landscape and the challenges RE teachers face in these settings. It suggests that the pedagogical approaches used in comprehensive schools may offer valuable insights for international exchange, as they align more closely with RE practices outside of Germany than previous models.