RELIGION

Scope & Guideline

Engaging with the Dynamics of Religious Thought

Introduction

Welcome to the RELIGION information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of RELIGION, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0048-721x
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1971 to 2024
AbbreviationRELIGION / Religion
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'RELIGION' focuses on the multifaceted nature of religious beliefs and practices across cultures and historical contexts. It aims to provide a platform for scholarly discourse that investigates the intersections of religion with various social, political, and cultural phenomena.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Religion:
    The journal encourages research that crosses disciplinary boundaries, integrating insights from sociology, anthropology, philosophy, and theology to explore complex religious phenomena.
  2. Cultural and Historical Contextualization:
    It emphasizes the importance of situating religious practices and beliefs within their specific cultural and historical contexts, allowing for a nuanced understanding of their development and significance.
  3. Critical Examination of Contemporary Issues:
    The journal addresses contemporary religious issues, including secularism, religious violence, and the impact of globalization on religious identities, thus contributing to current debates in the field.
  4. Exploration of Diverse Religious Traditions:
    It publishes works that explore a wide range of religious traditions, from mainstream religions to indigenous beliefs, fostering a comprehensive understanding of global religious diversity.
  5. Methodological Innovation in Religious Studies:
    The journal promotes innovative methodologies in the study of religion, encouraging researchers to employ new technologies and approaches, such as digital humanities and ethnographic studies.
The journal 'RELIGION' has seen significant growth in certain themes, reflecting current societal dynamics and scholarly interest in the field. These emerging scopes are indicative of broader trends in religious studies.
  1. Digital Religion and Media:
    Research on the intersection of religion and digital media is gaining traction, exploring how technology influences religious practices and community formation, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Religious Identity and Intersectionality:
    There is an increasing focus on how various identities (gender, ethnicity, class) intersect with religious beliefs and practices, providing a more nuanced understanding of individual and communal religious experiences.
  3. Religious Responses to Global Crises:
    Papers examining how religions respond to global crises, such as climate change and pandemics, are emerging as relevant and necessary, highlighting the role of faith in social resilience.
  4. Utopian and Dystopian Religious Visions:
    The exploration of utopian and dystopian themes in religious contexts is becoming more prominent, reflecting societal anxieties and aspirations related to modernity and spirituality.
  5. Religious Pluralism and Dialogue:
    There is a growing emphasis on interfaith dialogue and the study of religious pluralism, as societies become increasingly diverse and interconnected, necessitating conversations across religious boundaries.

Declining or Waning

While the journal 'RELIGION' continues to evolve, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence. These waning scopes reflect shifts in scholarly focus and societal interest.
  1. Traditional Theological Inquiry:
    There is a noticeable decline in papers focused solely on traditional theological inquiry, as contemporary scholarship increasingly prioritizes interdisciplinary and empirical approaches over purely theological discourse.
  2. Historical Studies of Major Religions:
    Research centered on the historical evolution of major world religions, while still relevant, is appearing less frequently as scholars shift towards more pressing contemporary issues and the study of lesser-known traditions.
  3. Focus on Religious Textual Analysis:
    The emphasis on textual analysis of sacred scriptures has diminished, as there is a growing interest in the lived experiences of individuals and communities in relation to religion.
  4. Secularization Paradigms:
    Discussions surrounding secularization theories are becoming less dominant, with scholars moving towards exploring hybrid identities and the interplay between secular and religious life.
  5. Monolithic Representations of Religion:
    The trend of depicting religion as monolithic is waning, with a shift towards recognizing the complexities and internal diversities within religious traditions.

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