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Distance Education from Religions of the World

Internationally, religious institutions are developing distance learning for a variety of reasons and purposes. The religious applications of distance learning comprise three main areas: extending the reach of theological education (primarily for the training of clergy), expanding opportunities for higher education from religious-sponsored universities and colleges, and facilitating other lifelong learning opportunities for members of the laity. Although Amos noted in 1999 that “little has been written and published on distance education in North American theological education” (p. 126), that is still the case today. Despite an expanding usage of distance learning by religious institutions, there has been little published on any of these international efforts. Accordingly, this chapter is a synthesis of original research, the authors having contacted leaders and academics from international institutions affiliated with major world religions to discover more about their various applications of distance learning.