Motive and Religious Education

On the topic of the Prothero essay, Joe Knippenberg makes the interesting point that the student's motive matters in our approach to teaching religion.  If our motivation is to become a better citizen, the outcome of the exploration is going to be much different than if our motivation is to satisfy a deeper existential longing.  So can a perceived need for greater civic virtue ever be a proper ground for "authentic" religious education?