Hinduism- eller är det här det enda liv jag har?

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to examine whether a problem exists in the way that Hinduism and Sikhism are presented in Religious education books for upper secondary schools (A-course) with regard to eurocentrism and if they reproduce a we and they mindset regarding ethnicity .The essay also looks at whether the books in question follow the school curriculum with regard to certain points such common values , respect for all people, cultural diversity and the ability to see oneself as part of a global perspective(Lpf94). We have examined books that have been published between the year 2000 to 2007 and have used the theories of Edward W Said and Richard King as a basis to support our research and analysis. Two reports by Skolverket have also been used as well a report by Masoud Kamali commissioned by the government The results show that there is a definite tendency to portray Hinduism and Sikhism in an Eurocentric way with many references to “us here” in the west and so forth, hence creating a boundary between west and east and thereby reproducing a way of thinking that reflects this. Keywords: Orientalism, Othering Eurocentrism, Hinduism, Sikhism