Abstract:
In this study 1 have argued for a theoretical foundation of a coherent and
defensible religious education (RE). It has been said that for RE to be
accepted as a reasonable subject matter it should be researchable. But for a
subject to be researchable. or research based, it needs to be supported by
reason, a kind of reason that have a public and universal character. On the
other hand we need a conception of religion being capable of giving this
conception of reason, and adapting itself with its teachings. | have argued
that the Shiite idea of innatism is a good base for providing a theory of
reason upon which reason, while having an important role in human life, and
an intrinsic connection with religion, has some limitations that can only be
compensated by appealing to divine aspect of life and the path of God,
namely religion. To show that the Shiite innatist conception of reason can be
a good starting point | have argued that, this concept of reason comes from
the Shiite belicf that humans have a shared nature upon which they have the
same emotional and cognitive view. So | have discussed the place and the
weight of reason in Islam and Shiism, the idea of innatism, the innatist
conception of reason, and connecting reason and religion by suggesting the
innate human nature as the same root for both of them. By suggesting the
same divine nature for reason and religious belief, I argued that rational
principles are at the same time the divine rules for having the best sort of
life. That is reason and religion have the shared tasks for following the
intrinsic virtues. So we can conclude that a true religious belief, which is
supported by reason, as Shiite belief seems to be, can be a reasonable base
for making a religious education system. In this work I have referred mostly
to Allamah Tabatabaeci and Morteza Mutahhari, as the most influential
* - Associate Prof in University of Shahid Chamran, Iran,
E-mail: safaei_m(@scu.ac.ir
contemporary Shiite scholars, to explain the Shiite's belief as to the nature of
reason and religion.