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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > General
Seeking Sanctuary brings together poignant life stories from fourteen lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) migrants, refugees and asylum seekers living in Johannesburg, South Africa. The stories, diverse in scope, chronicle each narrator’s arduous journey to South Africa, and their corresponding movement towards self-love and self-acceptance.
The narrators reveal their personal battles to reconcile their faith with their sexuality and gender identity, often in the face of violent persecution, and how they have carved out spaces of hope and belonging in their new home country. In these intimate testimonies, the narrators’ resilience in the midst of uncertain futures reveal the myriad ways in which LGBT Africans push back against unjust and unequal systems.
Seeking Sanctuary makes a critical intervention by showing the complex interplay between homophobia and xenophobia in South Africa, and of the state of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) rights in Africa. By shedding light on the fraught connections between sexuality, faith and migration, this ground-breaking project also provides a model for religious communities who are working towards justice, diversity and inclusion.
This is above all a practical book. It discusses with a wealth of
illustration and insight such subjects as the organization of the
intellectual worker's time, materials, and his life; the
integration of knowledge and the relation of one's specialty to
general knowledge; the choice and use of reading; the discipline of
memory; the taking of notes, their classification and use; and the
preparation and organization of the final production.
Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought
engages students with anecdotes, primary and secondary sources, an
accessible writing style, and a clear historical approach. The text
focuses on India, China, and Japan, while showing the relationships
that exist between Eastern and Western traditions. Patrick Bresnan
consistently links the past to the present, so students may see
that Eastern traditions, however ancient their origins, are living
traditions and relevant to modern times.
This volume takes as its object not religion as such but a set of
interventions that raised to scholarly consciousness some of the
intellectual problems and political stakes in the representation of
religion. Its point of departure is Wilfred Cantwell Smith's early
critique of European and North American productions of 'religion'
as an object of knowledge. Selections take up something of the form
and consequences of Smith's argument as the task of making explicit
the historically determined status of religion's use as a category
for describing and differentiating humans, their behaviors and
social practices. Thematic links are made between classic
interventions in Religious Studies and related fields of critical
inquiry (including essays by Walter Benjamin, Roland Barthes, Joan
Wallach Scott, and Jonathan Z. Smith) and their contemporary
interlocutors. Framed innovatively by the themes of cultural and
scholarly mapping, the critique of texts and textuality, and
sexualized, racialized, and gendered constructions of the body,
with each section prefaced by original contributions from leading
scholars in the field (e.g. Amy Hollywood and Burton Mack),
Readings in the Theory of Religion will prove indispensable to
students and scholars in every sub-field of critical and cultural
studies of religion.
Why do people study religion? How have they studied it in the past?
How do we study religion today? Is the academic study of religion
the same as religious education? These and many other questions are
addressed in this engaging introduction to the discipline of
religious studies, written by two experienced university teachers.
The authors have crafted this book to familiarize novice students
with key concepts and terminology in the study of religion. More
advanced students will find a varied array of theoretical
perspectives and methodological approaches to the field. Topics
include: definitions of religion perspectives in the study and
teaching of religion how religion began to be studied: traditional
perspectives - philosophical and theological how people experience
religion: perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and
perception - phenomenological and psychological studying religion
within communities: Social and cultural perspectives -
anthropological, sociological, political and economic judging
religion: critical perspectives -feminist approaches, the
interaction of popular literature and religion contextual
perspectives - historical and comparative. The book encourages
students to think critically about the theories and methods
presented. Students will find arguments for the strengths and
limitations of these approaches, understand connections among
religious studies and other intellectual movements, and develop
their own ideas of how they might want to go about the study of
religion. Summary boxes, a timeline, a glossary and other pedagogic
aids help students grasp key concepts, along with a companion
website at www.sastor.com.
Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful
introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and
law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed
to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys
of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete
subject areas. This Advanced Introduction sets out the difficulty
of defining religion itself and the subsequent impact this has on
creating laws which regulate and protect it. Taking a global
comparative approach, Frank S. Ravitch guides the reader in how
this unique interaction plays out in differing legal systems
including in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Providing further context
by contrasting specific case studies, the book provides a rounded
and coherent exploration of the complexities of law in relation to
religion. Key Features: Addresses the many issues surrounding
religious exceptions to general laws Considers the extent of
separation between government and religion, and the role of courts
in deciding religious questions Looks at the ways in which law may
govern discrimination by government or by private entities, based
on religion or religious concerns Explores the multifaceted
interactions between religion and law in many areas, including
human rights; public schooling; health and property; tax
exemptions; and clergy abuse This foundational book offers a
platform for researchers and students in the fields of law,
political science, ethics, and religious studies. It also provides
valuable insight for lawyers, judges and legislators with a focus
on law and religion. .
Written by Clare Lloyd - an experienced teacher and examiner, and a
trusted author - this new textbook fully supports Component 3 of
the Eduqas AS and A Level Religious Studies specifications. Drawing
on the most recent guidance, it will help students prepare for exam
success. It is clearly laid out, accessible and concise, containing
exactly what students need and no more. AO1 and AO2 content is
separated and activities help students develop both skills. It also
includes extensive exam support, including annotated model
paragraphs.
Exploring the manifold relationships between religion and public
administration, this topical book conceptualises and theorises the
diverse influence of religions on the functioning of public
administrative systems across the globe. International and
comparative in approach, this book analyses the social and public
dimensions to religion and its interplay with public administration
as a field of social scientific inquiry and an area of professional
activity. Taking methodological agnosticism as its sociological
perspective to the study of the religious experience, chapters
focus on Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shintoism, Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam to examine diverse religious compositions
across both secularised and non-secularised societies and political
regimes. The book uses a distinctive theoretical lens to analyse
the influence of religions on organisational fit, public service
motivation, individual and organisational behaviours and values,
bureaucratic discretion, government funding, the delivery of public
services, and the dynamics of social cohesion overall. It provides
a fresh perspective on religion as a source of legitimacy and basis
of accountability, responsibility, and delegation of power in
public administration, institutional quality, and ethics. Students
and scholars interested in the religious dimensions to public
administration, policy, governance and management will find use in
this book’s theoretical analyses. Its empirical findings will
also be valuable to policymakers working in public administration
and leaders of faith organisations engaged in public services.
This book explores the interface between HIV, AIDS and religion and
makes a significant contribution to a growing body of scholarship
that recognises the importance of religious engagement with the
reality of HIV and AIDS. In many communities, the spiritual
narrative is far more compelling than its bio-medical equivalent,
making interdisciplinary collaboration crucial. The project that
gave birth to this book brought together scholars from the fields
of religion and theology and activists from local communities. Its
content captures the collaborative character of the book and each
chapter is accompanied by a practitioner response. Existing
scholarly literature was analysed and interrogated in the context
of local community knowledge. The task was to understand what work
has been done; and to discern what remains to be done. The book has
a strong African focus with local forms of Christianity and Islam
featuring prominently.
The fire of love in some of its different forms is described in
graphic detail in this book by Kenneth Payne. How does a God of
love come into our lives - or does he? These personal encounters,
from which the author has drawn strength and inspiration, act as an
antidote to terrible events and anxieties of the present time. This
is an encouraging book to read.
Welcome to the Church of St Mary Magdalene Our church and this book
tell of the lives of ordinary people throughout the centuries,
living, working and worshipping together. Its history reflects the
unique significance of Stilton as both an agricultural settlement
on the edge of the Fens and a staging point on the Great North
Road. Through here have passed travellers of all descriptions, from
Roman legions to Civil War armies and Napoleonic prisoners of war.
So for a small church in a small parish, St Marya s retains
memories of a surprising number of interesting people, the times in
which they lived and their a footprints in the sand of timea that
they left behind. Come and explore for yourself. Talk to some of
todaya s parishioners and discover why St Mary Magdalene continues
to be a thriving and dynamic church at the heart of village life.
Most of this book was at some point or other written as articles
which could be read as stand-alone items so one way of reading this
book would be to simply read it - a section at a time and hopefully
with Bible in hand, looking up the passages I have used. Would that
all walked with God and acknowledged his sovereignty! It is one of
the great human tragedies that people generally choose to go their
own way and that the relationship with their Maker is broken. If we
are to 'put the world to rights' we must start with ourselves and
ensure that our relationship with God is put right first and then
we must continue to search out a path which will keep us in step
with Him and ultimately bring us upon a path which will lead to a
time and place on earth where all is right with God. First we must
get to know God. Second understand the nature we have and how we
are separated from Him. Thirdly it is necessary to understand that
God has provided a way by which sin's breach has been resolved
through the saviour God has provided; Jesus Christ. And finally, we
need to know where we are headed. And who is going with us. It is
important to acknowledge at this point that the answers to all our
questions are in the Bible. How should we regard this book?
What does God want to say and do in your worship service?As a
pastor or worship leader, planning a meaningful, relevant, and
theologically rich worship experience for your church is of the
upmost importance. How do you meet the demands of the modern
congregation without getting in the way of what God is doing
through worship?Created to Worship: God's Invitation to Become
Fully Human is a resource that provides a theology of worship in
the Wesleyan tradition. This book will help you plan for a worship
service in a discerning manner, while answering the question, 'What
does God want to say and do today?'
Amazing Grace Volume Three speaks about the life and work of the
English evangelist Gary Punch. Gary Punch can be described as
London's best loved evangelist, preaching the gospel of Christ to
thousands of people on the streets of London in a professional,
dedicated and caring way. This book is also a tribute to Gary's
wife Susan Punch. I do hope you enjoy reading it!
Dated 1909, A dialogue took place between a man and his Lord,
stretching beyond the imaginations of all and superseding the works
of man Allama Iqbal raises a series of complaints titled; Shikwa.
The East was swept back in total astonishment as the controversy
had begun. But little did they know that where there is a complaint
surely a response will follow and it sure did. 1913 was the year
the Allama Iqbal reclaimed his lost glory with the much awaited
responce publication of Jawaab-e-Shikwa. It was claimed a
`masterpiece'. It would be unjust not to translate it and relay
such a unique, classical piece of work of Iqbal's.
This book examines the foundation of the London Jews Society (LJS)
in 1809, and the construction of Palestine Place in 1813 at Bethnal
Green in East London. The early supporters of the LJS from 1815
were Anglican Evangelicals, including William Wilberforce and
Charles Simeon. A mission centre was established at Palestine Place
on a five-acre site, which incorporated an Episcopal Jews' Chapel;
separate schools for boys and girls; staff houses; a missionary
training college and a House of Industry, which provided work for
converted Jews, especially by printing leaflets and books.
Christian Philosemitism is a new genre of research into the
development of the positive response by Evangelicals towards the
Jews from the Puritan era. Lewis Way has been chosen as the leading
example of Evangelical Anglican philosemitism between 1810 and
1840. The London Jews Society (LJS) was founded in 1809, Way was
actively involved from 1811 and his substantial financial gift
rescued the Society from ruin in 1815. Christian Philosemitism
developed from the Puritan period and was strengthened by the
Readmission of the Jews in 1656. A new impetus was given at the end
of the eighteenth century, when in the challenging context of the
social, religious and political upheaval in England following the
French Revolution the LJS was founded.
THE HOLY CLONE examines the claims of the Bible from the
perspective of modern scientific progress. The outcome is a
radically new interpretation of this old and familiar material. In
recent decades, the profound broadening of our technological
horizons has been accompanied by new academic and archaeological
developments in biblical research. When these factors are put
together, and related to events in recent history, it is proposed
that a seemingly incredible and challenging view of the Bible
begins to emerge. An awesome picture starts to form that promises
to place traditional beliefs in a very new light. The advent of new
technologies such as human cloning and time travel - and their
potential implication - investigated in relation to this updated
biblical scenario. This book is addressed to a general readership,
and it offers an unprecedented and astounding new insight into
enduring enigma of the Bible. When seen from our present viewpoint,
biblical information strongly suggests that the prophesied return
of Jesus Christ, and the retribution of the `Last Judgment', is
already taking place in our own time; and that it is now possible
that he is alive on earth today - in his actual flesh. The Bible
states that Christ's initial return will be covert, and protected
by the secrecy. This book also proposes that the traditional idea
of the Holy Spirit may represent the effects of a created program
that materialised with the Big Bang. These extraordinary and
startling ideas are powerfully supported by new scientific,
historical and biblical evidence. The book is illustrated by the
author.
Most people, on hearing a quotation from the Bible whether in a
church service, or elsewhere, would assume a serious face and
seldom laugh. Yet this is not always the case. Father Ken Payne
manages to draw on the amusing side of someof the Gospel passages.
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