The countries of Europe are undergoing a transformation process. South East Europe is particularly affected by this process. European unification gave new dynamics to the Eastern European countries. Their societies are confronted with questions and conflicts which were unknown to their Communist past. Initially, the interests of Western Europe were focused largely on economy. Religion did not play a significant role by designing the future of Europe. The importance of religions has been marginalised within the societies and is hardly acknowledged in public discourse.

In the reality behind the European religions are people who have influence on their politics with their ethical and political expectations and mobilise their supporters towards a specific political and ethical position. These religious organisations and their institutions organise themselves and act globally.

In Eastern Europe the different religions, which are often in competition with each other, are looking for new areas of influence and try to position themselves as favourably as possible in the new design of their society. This process is a challenge both the individual citizens, who are daily encountering different religions / religious trends, as well as the states whose task is to redefine the position of religions in their societies and serve justice to the religious aspirations of their citizens.

For various reasons these encounters create numerous conflicts and friction which are noticeable in the political and economic era. To agree on common values in terms of multitude religions that enable peaceful coexistence requires a special inter-religious competence in the field of politics and economy.

 Europe cannot avoid the problems and expectations of its citizens concerning to religions. The reasons behind are diverse, but the position of Islam in new Europe creates difficult discussion as whether Islam could be part of Europe. Independently from the history of Islam in Europe, the agreement between Islamic and European values and the attitude of Islam to democracy are being questioned. This tension between Islam and European values is one of the reasons for the isolation of Muslims and development of various prejudices within society. This isolation is given a theological basis by different, globally well networked organizations, and the hatred between the cultures and religions is solidified. Islam is being marginalized within the societies; furthermore it favors the position of nationalistic parties in Europe as well as the radical Islamic organizations. For many parties and organisations these tensions and hatreds bear key importance.

Participants at the Vienna Conference of October 2009 agreed that education cannot ignore the religious foundations of Europe. Schools are challenged c as well as they convey religious fundamentals. Religions must be part of the educational assignment of schools. From the example of many European countries we know that a peaceful future in Europe cannot be accomplished without peace between religions. Religious education at public schools can enable pupils to develop and advocate their own ethical and religious positions, tolerate other opinions and learn from other cultures and religions. Therefore, religious education is an important part of general education.