Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. It enables pupils to learn about other religious traditions and other world views that offer answers to those questions. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances pupils’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures. It enables pupils to think about this country’s faiths and values in a multicultural society. Religious education encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning. It challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, equality, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses. Religious education encourages pupils to develop their sense of self worth, identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a plural society and global community. Religious education has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. It enables pupils to develop respect for, sensitivity to and acceptance of others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice and racism. In the current climate, religious education also raises awareness of radicalisation and supports pupils who are feeling unsafe.