自20世紀末起，各國際組織及民主先進國家，對於公立學校中的宗教教育益加重視。雖有面對差異、相互理解、重視個人生命經驗和宗教自由的共同趨勢。卻也面對世俗化和多元歧異的挑戰，以及誤解和偏見。本文論述，公立學校中的宗教教育具脈絡特性。在解決困境上，須回到個別處境以及基本的民主理念，平等和自由。並營建一個自由開放、公平參與、相互理解的場域。在一多元民主的處境中，此為處理宗教教育相關問題的先決條件。

The significance of religious education in public school has been reconsidered by contemporary democratic states and major international organizations. An efficient religious education can reduce misunderstanding and conflict. It helps to enhance mutual understanding and mutual respect. It contributes to the realization of human rights and may develop ways of cooperation. However there are challenges of diversity, misunderstanding, and prejudices. In order to overcome these challenges and develop an efficient model of religious education in the public school of a plural democratic society the contextual characteristic of religious education should be recognized and a free, equal, and open public sphere for collective deliberation should be established.