Subsuming Unity of Reason and Religion and its Heuristics for Religious Education

The relationship between religion and rationality has been a controversial issue. Its implications are not limited to the realm of ideas but have extended to the social and political aspects. In this article, the relation between religion and reason has been examined inspired by the Islamic views. Two approaches have been considered: maximal rationalism and minimal rationalism (fideism). These two extreme views have been criticized for paving the path for examining religion, rationality, and relationships. This article consists of a subsumptive unity in which religion and reason are taken in a whole-part relationship. Accordingly, each part of religion is either in principle or in practice reasonable. We have argued that rationality is more expansive and encompasses religion. Finally, the implications of this view for religious education are explored. These include reasonable explanations of religious teachings, drawing pupils’ attention to the boundaries of reason, tolerating temporary cognitive and practical suspension of judgments, highlighting dialogue, and fostering critical questions.