Religious socialisation and the ongoing quest for a human rights culture in South Africa.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the role of religious socialisation, approached from a social learning perspective, towards establishing a human rights culture in South Africa. On the basis of longitudinal survey research conducted among Grade 11 learners in the Johannesburg and Pretoria region, who in general report fairly high levels of religious socialisation, both from incidental and intentional learning, and despite some differences between learners from private (Anglican and Catholic) and public schools, we can conclude that religious socialisation and praxis relate positively towards some political (participation and interest in politics) and environmental rights attitudes. Religious socialisation and praxis, however, relate negatively towards a number of civil rights attitudes (including the freedom of religion) and the rejection of oppression. In comparison with the first survey in 1995/1996, more negative relations between religious socialisation and praxis and human rights attitudes are found in the second survey in 2000/2001.