The Public significance of religion / / edited by Leslie J. Francis, Hans-Georg Ziebertz.

• Superior document: Empirical studies in theology, v. 20
• Author: International Society for Empirical Research in Theology. Conference
• TeilnehmendeR: Francis, Leslie J.; Ziebertz, Hans-Georg, 1956-
• Year of Publication: 2011
• Language: English
• Series: Empirical studies in theology ; v. 20.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (507 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This book reflects on the idea that religion represents a force in the public realms of society. The empirical evidence reveals a regained relevance for and commitment to religion re-emerging in secularized countries, but also that it does so in a new form: unexpected, foreign, and maybe even dangerous. If religion regains public significance in social debates, what are its characteristics in terms of topics and interests, actors and parties? How is this experienced and evaluated by different groups in society? What are the motives of religious groups and churches to re-enter the public domain and are they effective? What is the importance of religious groups claiming participation (consulting, steering, and dominating) in public debates? How do different religious and nonreligious groups evaluate the impact of religion on the public environment, and under which conditions can it be regarded to be functional or dysfunctional? Scholars who address these questions do so from a theological or a religious studies’ perspective. They reflect on the phrase ‘public significance’ of a religion in its political, cultural, and typical religious dimension. The book points out what tendencies can be observed when different religions profile themselves competitively in public debate, and to what extent ethnic and national identities intervene in this interreligious interaction.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / L. Francis and H. Ziebertz -- Dispute About The Public Significance Of Religion: An Opening Reflection / Hans-Georg Ziebertz -- Conservative Christianity In The USA: Interpretive And Normative Perspectives / Richard R. Osmer -- Religious Capital And Public Accountability: Challenges To Empirical Theology / Hans Schilderman -- A Sociological Perspective On The Public Significance Of Religion: From Secularization To ‘Publicization’ / David Herbert -- Framing The Gods: The Public Significance Of Religion From A Cultural Point Of View / R. Ruard Ganzevoort -- Separation Of Church And State And Freedom Of Religion: Left To The Gods? An Empirical Study Among Dutch Young People / Johannes A. (Hans) Van Der Ven -- Varieties Of Religious Solidarity / Hans Schilderman -- Church, Public And Bioethics: Religion’s Construction Of Public Significance Through The Bioethical Discourse / Ulla Schmidt -- Factors Predicting Engagement With Society Among Anglicans In England / Andrew Village -- Maintaining A Public Ministry In Rural England: Work-Related Psychological Health And Psychological Type Among Anglican Clergy Serving In Multi-Church Benefices / Christine E. Brewster , Leslie J. Francis and Mandy Robbins -- The Changing Public Face Of The Church Of England: The Changing Experiences Of Clergywomen / Mandy Robbins -- The Public Significance Of Religion And The Changing Context Of Family Life In Britain 1983–2005: An Examination Of Marriage, Cohabitation And Divorce / Emyr Williams and Leslie J. Francis -- Interpreting God’s Activity In The Public Square: Accessing The Ordinary Theology Of Personal Prayer / Tania Ap Siôn -- How Christian Students In Tamil Nadu Think About Power-Driven Religious Conflicts: A Meaning-System Approach / Chris A.M. Hermans , Francis-Vincent Anthony , Carl Sterkens and William Van Der Veld -- Cross-Religious Participation In Rituals And Interpretation Of Religious Pluralism: A Comparative Study Among Christian, Muslim And Hindu Students In Tamil Nadu, India / Francis-Vincent Anthony , Chris A.M. Hermans and Carl Sterkens -- Plurality In Unity: A Comparative, Quantitative Study Analyzing How Catholic Teachers Of Religion From Five European Countries Perceive Other Religions / Ulrich Riegel -- A Public Issue Still Denied: Religion In German Preschool Education / Friedrich Schweitzer -- The Significance Of Religion For Adolescents: Conception Of And First Results From The VROID-MHAP-Study / Christoph Käppler , Sabine Zehnder , Aristide Peng , Taylor Christl and Christoph Morgenthaler -- Subject Index / L. Francis and H. Ziebertz.