Call for Papers: Journal of Religious Ethics

The Journal of Religious Ethics is seeking manuscripts for a projected focus issue on feminist moral philosophy and religious ethics. Here’s the invitation from the editors: We are interested in articles that address historical, methodological, and practical issues related to the intersection of feminist moral philosophy and the field of religious ethics. Our goal is to … Continue reading →

Free Virtual Issue on Secularism (Journal of Religious History)

Secularism A Free Virtual Issue   The interface between religion and secularism has in recent years generated both heat and light about the evolution of modern post-industrial, post-colonial societies. Local advocates of secularism have argued that neither Australia nor New Zealand are Christian nations and that secularism without religion forms the underlying ideology of the … Continue reading →

Two thought-provoking new introductions to religion

The Religion Toolkit A Complete Guide to Religious Studies John Morreall & Tamara Sonn 978-1-4051-8246-1 | November 2011 | Paperback | 376 pages “The Religion Toolkit is a unique one-stop resource. Morreall and Sonn’s toolkit will prove essential for all (students, media, policymakers and the general public) who want to understand religions and their impact … Continue reading →

The Experimental Economics of Religion

The Journal of Economic Surveys has recently published a paper entitled The Experimental Economics of Religion, by Robert Hoffmann. This paper surveys the experimental economics approach to the study of religion. The field has a place in the context of the scientific study of religion generally and the social psychology of religion in particular, but … Continue reading →

Wabash Center’s Internet Guide to Religion

We’ve just discovered a great resource for scholars of religion, put together by the folks at the Wabash Center, who have a long history of supporting higher education teachers working in the field of religion and theology: Internet Guide to Religion The site is a specially selected and annotated list of resources to anyone involved … Continue reading →

Scholarly Content on the Impact of 9/11

In the 10 years since the events of September 2001 a vast amount of scholarly research has been written on the impact of 9/11. Wiley-Blackwell is pleased to share with you this collection of free book and journal content, featuring over 20 book chapters and 185 journal articles from over 200 publications, spanning subjects across … Continue reading →

Vision Statement for the Indian Traditions Section

Here at Religion Compass, we’re delighted to announce the recent appointment of Meena Khandelwal as co-editor of our Indian Traditions section. Meena will be joining Maya Warrier as they both set about commissioning several new state-of-the-art articles every year on themes of most concern and interest to students and researchers in the area. Below, Maya … Continue reading →

Free Virtual Issue on the Geography and Sociology of Religion

Interdisciplinary research has much to offer scholars of different fields – widening perspectives and opening up avenues to new research. The burgeoning field of the geography and sociology of religion is one such field. As the global economy and increased migration result in more complex and rich societies, so the resultant intersections of cultures and … Continue reading →

The Death of God After the ‘Death of God’

A recent study released by a group of American scholars suggests that ‘religion’ may soon die out in nine countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland. The paper, delivered at a meeting of the American Physical Society and titled ‘A mathematical model of social group competition … Continue reading →

Double Black Diamond Jesus

Neil Elliot, a priest at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Trail, British Columbia, has become the first person in the world to earn a doctorate in ‘snowboarding’, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Already a Master of Arts in theology and Islamic studies, Elliot submitted a dissertation that examines the ‘spirituality’ of the winter … Continue reading →

Write for Religion Compass Exchanges

Are you a graduate student looking for an opportunity to write for a broad international audience? We want to hear from budding scholars who are looking for a chance to write about the phenomenon of religion for a popular blog, and who want to show how the ideas in religious studies can improve our understanding … Continue reading →

COMMENT: Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan

By Benedict Rogers (Reposted from one year ago. Extended version available here) Benedict Rogers is a writer and human rights campaigner with Christian Solidarity Worldwide based in London. He also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. On 11 August 1947, Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah spelled out his vision for … Continue reading →

NEWS: Faith and Education

A recent article by Andrew Penman in The Independent highlights some of the issues faced by parents when choosing a school for their children. Since writing his book School Daze: Searching for Decent State Education Penman claims he has suffered abuse and vilification. The primary focus for this opprobrium appears to be focused upon the … Continue reading →

NEWS: Recognition for Britain’s “Oldest” Religion

This week it has been announced that ‘[d]ruidry is to become the first pagan practice to be given official recognition as a religion’ in Britain. Recognition by the Charity Commission relates in the main to financial regulations, and indeed this rationale lay behind the Druid Network’s application. However, an additional benefit of this acknowledgement means … Continue reading →

NEWS: Preparations for the Pope’s Visit to the UK

Ahead of this week’s long awaited visit by Pope Benedict XVI the BBC has published his proposed itinerary. The first papal visit to the UK in 28 years includes a combination of private and public events focused around London, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Despite the ongoing controversy over child abuse allegations against members of the Roman … Continue reading →