[Objective] The purpose of this study is to examine the implications of the progression toward a non-religious era and to identify the orientations that religious education ought to pursue within this context. [Contents] In this paper, the reasons for the progression toward a non-religious era are traced to the shadow of religion—namely, the wars and conflicts historically associated with it—and the causes of non-religiosity in Korean society are identified as stemming from the misconduct and deviance of religious institutions and their leaders. The study further examines the religious landscape of the United Kingdom and the Nordic countries, where non-religious trends are particularly prominent, and analyzes their approaches to religious education. In times of transition, religious education requires a paradigmatic shift. Accordingly, this paper also delineates the directions that religious education in Korea must pursue as it undergoes such a transformation. [Conclusions] The progression toward a non-religious era is an inevitable development. However, this transition is not exclusively negative. By elucidating the underlying causes that have made such an era unavoidable, it becomes possible to identify critical turning points for reflection and reform. Moreover, this recognition invites a serious reconsideration of the future direction of religious education. It is imperative that the call for a paradigmatic shift in religious education no longer remain an empty slogan, but instead lead to substantive and meaningful change.