Der Heilige Geist – Das ist mehr so ein Engel, der hilft Gott

The Holy Ghost has hitherto seldom been a topic in religious communication. This is clearly revealed by a detailed analysis of school textbooks and the legal requirements for religious education carried out in Lower Saxony. Also in research relating to child theology, the Holy Ghost has until now hardly been considered. In 33 interviews, therefore, 4th and 8th grade pupils are questioned with regard to their pneumatological concepts, and their own personal spiritual beliefs elicited and examined against the background of academic pneumatology. It becomes clear how differently theologians, school textbooks and pupils treat the subject and how urgent the need is for something to be done from the perspective of religious education if pneumatological content is not to disappear completely from the religious curriculum. The book concludes with new didactic ideas drawn up in the light of the empirical survey for the “Holy Ghost” topic in religious education.