Religion and Society-Advances in Research
Scope & Guideline
Bridging the Gap Between Belief and Social Change
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Approaches to Religion:
The journal encourages submissions that utilize interdisciplinary methodologies, integrating insights from anthropology, sociology, history, and cultural studies to explore the complexities of religious phenomena. - Material and Non-Material Aspects of Religion:
A core focus is on both material and non-material dimensions of religious practices, including rituals, artifacts, and beliefs, and how these elements interact within different cultural contexts. - Contextual Analysis of Religious Practices:
The journal emphasizes the importance of contextualizing religious practices within their specific sociocultural environments, highlighting how local traditions shape and are shaped by broader social dynamics. - Exploration of Secular and Non-Religious Identities:
There is a growing interest in exploring secularism and non-religious identities, examining how these frameworks coexist with and impact traditional religious practices. - Ethnographic Fieldwork and Case Studies:
The journal often publishes ethnographic studies and case analyses that provide in-depth insights into contemporary religious practices and their societal implications.
Trending and Emerging
- Digital Religion and Online Communities:
There is an increasing interest in the study of digital religion, examining how religious practices and communities are evolving in online spaces, particularly in light of recent global shifts towards virtual interactions. - Indigenous and Local Perspectives:
Emerging themes focus on indigenous religious practices and local belief systems, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing religion within specific cultural frameworks and recognizing the voices of marginalized communities. - Gender and Religion:
Research exploring the intersections of gender and religion is gaining traction, highlighting how gender dynamics influence religious practices, identities, and experiences. - Secularization and New Forms of Spirituality:
An emerging trend is the examination of secularization processes alongside new forms of spirituality, revealing how individuals navigate belief systems in increasingly secular societies. - Religious Pluralism and Interfaith Dialogue:
There is a growing emphasis on religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue, reflecting societal shifts towards inclusivity and the recognition of diverse belief systems in a globalized world.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Religious Institutions:
There seems to be a decreasing focus on traditional religious institutions, such as churches and mosques, as the emphasis shifts towards more fluid and personal expressions of spirituality and belief. - Historical Theology:
The exploration of historical theological debates and classical religious texts is less prominent, suggesting a shift towards contemporary issues and lived experiences rather than historical analyses. - Monolithic Views of Religion:
There is a noticeable decline in papers treating religion as a monolithic construct, moving instead towards recognizing the plurality and diversity within religions, which may lead to less focus on comparative religious studies. - Global North Perspectives:
Research that primarily centers on Global North perspectives is diminishing, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of Global South voices and experiences in the study of religion. - Static Definitions of Religion:
The journal appears to be moving away from static definitions of religion, favoring more dynamic and evolving understandings that reflect lived experiences and cultural shifts.
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