Pursuing Freedom through Religious Education in a Digitalized World

In the digital age, religious education has the potential to empower individuals to think critically, question thoughtfully, and make independent choices. Yet digitalization also shapes—and sometimes constrains—the ways people develop spiritual, ethical, and critical thinking capacities. This facilitated conversation session explores the dynamics between freedom and digitalization within the context of religious education. Participants will discuss how religious education can support autonomous decision-making while remaining attentive to the communal values of religious traditions; how to cultivate critical and creative thinking when students have unprecedented access to religious knowledge through digital tools and AI; how to guide learners in the ethical use of technology; and how to nurture global awareness while helping students preserve their local and spiritual identities. The session aims to generate practical strategies and theoretical insights that align with both AAR’s focus on freedom and REA’s emphasis on digitalization.