The area between the Rhine and the Ruhr; the Ruhrgebiet, can be also called a (melting pot) potpourri of religions. It is shaped by widespread religious diversity which is also evident in the schools of the area. Religious Education (R.E.) is challenged to respond to this diversity by developing adequate models of mutual understanding and encounter and inter-religious dialogue. The issue at stake, however, is how established forms of confessional R.E. in school can open up for inter-religious learning and dialogue. In this article, the author argues that there is already a process of transition taking place within R.E. in North-Rhine Westphalia, replacing confessional R.E. with new forms of teaching religion in classes with religiously heterogeneous groups. Empirical evidence is given which shows that students are in favour of R.E. dealing with different religions. As a conclusion, modes of fostering inter-religious education must be developed by research and contextrelated processes of school development.