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The work of a religious representative in a democratic legislature: A case study of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man in Tynwald, 1961-2001
No full textThe Isle of Man is a largely autonomous territory of the United Kingdom Crown, whose dominant constitutional body is the Tynwald. Tynwald, although meeting regularly as a single body, is for most purposes divided into two Branches – a directly elected House of Keys, and the Legislative Council. The latter includes among its members the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. This study draws upon the legislative debates of Tynwald between 1961 and 2001 to examine the nature of the Bishop’s role. Analysis shows that the Bishop was expected to contribute to debate in two major areas – moral issues and technical issues concerning the Manx Church. Additionally, the Bishops operated within expectations as to their modes of contribution. The strongest of these was that the Bishop should not become entangled in party politics. There was also a strong expectation that the Bishop should represent the Manx Church and Christianity more generally, although this expectation does not seem to have been realised in relation to non-Christian religions. There is also evidence that the Bishop was also entitled to use both secular and religious modes of argumentation, and that he should not have expected to the be the only religious voice in Tynwald, or even the uncontested voice of the Manx Church
Brian Bocking: A Popular Dictionary of Shinto
No full textThis book is more than a popular dictionary of Shinto. The title arises, one may suppose, because the publisher would like it to reach a wide range of general and educational readers. There are indeed others in an untitled series by the same publisher dealing with Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. As a specialist in Japanese religions, on the other hand, Brian Bocking (Bath College of Higher Education, Bath UK) is aware of the need for an academic dictionary of Shinto. Thus the book is a compromise, but a successful compromise. For example, there is no extensive bibliography appended, but the introduction skilfully refers to a number of useful works for further reference. The author himself says in the Acknowledgements that he found it difficult to write a book with no footnotes. This seems extreme. How many dictionaries have footnotes? What this means is that academic writers cannot endlessly cover themselves against misunderstanding when compiling dictionaries. They have to take decisions. But Brian Bocking\u27s decisions are good decisions. The picture of Shinto which emerges from these pages is clear, correct and valuable
Die Selbstbeschränkung des religiösen Subjekts. Überlegungen und empirische Befunde zu den Grenzen religiöser Individualisierungsprozesse
No full textEsoterische Uberzeugungen und Ansatze der Lebensbewaltigung sind heute selbstverstandlicher Teil der Alltagskultur. Beobachtet werden sie nicht nur bei Menschen, die sich auserhalb der Kirchen religios verorten, sondern immer wieder auch bei Kirchenmitgliedern. Dieses Phanomen hat viel Aufmerksamkeit gefunden und teils zur Erwartung einer rapiden Ausbreitung moderner individualisierungsprozesse gefuhrt. Mogliche Grenzen derselben, etwa im Kontext exklusivistischer Religiositat, haben dagegen kaum Beachtung gefunden. Sie sind Gegenstand der vorliegenden explorativen Studie. Nach Vorüberlegungen zu den Konzepten individualistischer und exklusivistischer Religiositat geht diese anhand von zwei Untersuchungsstrangen der Frage nach dem Zusammenhang zwischen einer Zugehorigkeit zu einer spezifischen Glaubensgemeinschaft und der individuellen Haltung gegenuber Esoterik nach: Einerseits werden die Positionen verschiedener Glaubensgemeinschaften (Neuapostolische Kirche, Pfingstler, Zeugen Jehovas, romisch-katholische Kirche, evangelische Kirche) gegenuber Esoterik komparativ untersucht. Andererseits werden die personlichen Haltungen von Anhangern und Mitgliedern der Gemeinschaften gegenuber verschiedenen esoterischen Uberzeugungen und Praktiken verglichen. Erwartungsgemas ergeben beide Untersuchungsstrange Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen, die sich im Wesentlichen entsprechen. Vergleiche zwischen den Gruppen und mit ALLBUS 2002-Daten fur Westdeutschland bestatigen u.a. die Erwartung einer hohen Ablehnung von Esoterik unter Zeugen Jehovas und Pfingstlern und damit auch die Grenzen moderner Individualisierungsprozesse. Erganzende korrelative Analysen zum Verhaltnis von Zentralitat der Religiositat sowie Gottesbild und Haltung gegenuber Esoterik ergeben schwache, jedoch durchweg konsistente Zusammenhänge
Religion or Worldview: Enhancing Dialogue in the Public Square
No full textDiscussions involving religion’s place today in politics, the academy, the media, even in shaping public policy, in essence the public square, is not without its controversy, misunderstandings and challenges. At what point, however, does use of the term religion become counter-productive or serve to impede that discussion. At what point does its use limit our understanding of the variety of other beliefs and values equally at play in the public square? Might a more inclusive term, implemented at certain times and in certain situations, be more helpful in understanding the variety of beliefs, values and principles operating in the public square? This paper suggests that use of the term worldview, rather than exclusively religion, might enhance dialogue, broaden the discussion and expand the parameters to create a more level playing field, and to examine other perspectives which contrast or compete with religion in the public square
Alfonso Riobó Serván: El derecho de libertad religiosa en la República Checa y en la República Eslovaca
No full textOne of the most significant projects in the area of confessional law studies in both the Czech and the Slovak Republics, was published in Spain in 2005. Alfonso Riobó Serván, of the State Ecclesiastical Law Institute at the historic Universidad Complutense in Madrid, is closely acquainted with the central European environment. Since his expertise is in the local legal panorama, he possesses an extensive knowledge of the legislation as well as of the original sources. Riobó’s work comes as the climax of several years of research, resulting not only in an impressive, systematic work, but also in the overcoming of local barriers through fruitful scientific cooperation. This book provides a complex introduction to the various legal aspects of religious freedom in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Special emphasis is given to the author\u27s view of religious liberty as a fundamental right, praising freedom as a basic value to be respected and guaranteed to churches, religious societies, and individual believers. Moreover, this approach does not consider confessional law and complex configurations between the State and churches only in the light of a formal view on legal norms, without paying due attention to their major function in the service of human rights and social life. The emphasis put on religious liberty provides for a more coherent approach that encompasses state-church relationswith respect to all relevant religious entities. The author limits himself to positive legal provisions that comply with the previously mentioned view
Alternative therapy, Dianetics, and Scientology
No full textSince orthodox medicine sets the standard for what is acceptable within the medical arena, some alternative medicines integrate into medicine while others remain separate or face too much scrutiny to continue practicing. In the 1970s, Morely and Wallis (1976) recognized Dianetics and Scientology as a “marginal medicine,” and from the 1960s to 1970s several government organizations worldwide investigated the group. Consequently, Scientology retreated from the medical arena, claiming that it was a religion and establishing boundaries to insulate itself from regulation. Despite Scientology’s attempted retreat, Dianetics and Scientology doctrines and practices continue to reflect concerns and actions that belong to what Tovey and Adams (2001) identify as the social world of alternative medicine. In this article, I outline Scientology’s position within the medical arena, how that position has transformed over time, and Scientology’s isolation from the dominant social world within that arena (specifically scientific medicine)
Claus Bernet: "Gebaute Apokalypse". Die Utopie des himmlischen Jerusalem in der Frühen Neuzeit
No full textDieses bemerkenswerte Buch, die Dissertationsschrift Claus Bernets, aktualisiert die Utopieforschung, genauso wie es gerade für religionswissenschaftliche Untersuchungen historischer Zusammenhänge in Europa immer wieder wichtige Grundfragen aufwirft und bisherige Kategorialisierungen kritisiert, um zu einer nicht allein von der Kirchengeschichte gestalteten europäischen Religionengeschichte im Sinne Burkhard Gladigows vorzustoßen. Schließlich wird auch eine reichhaltige Fülle an Quellenmaterial erschlossen, das noch keine Berücksichtigung in der Forschung gefunden hatte.Allerdings verweist auch Monika Neugebauer-Wölk in ihrem Vorwort darauf, es werde „nur implizit deutlich, dass es sich hier auch um einen Beitrag zur Entwicklung der Grundlagen einer neuen Religionsgeschichte handelt“. Dieser scheint entsprechend den Forschungsgebieten der Doktormutter den Verfahrensweisen der Hermetic Studies nahezustehen, insbesondere bezüglich des Interesses an ‚Devianz‘:„Die Geschichtswissenschaft steht heute mehr denn je vor der Herausforderung, eigenständige religionsgeschichtliche Parameter und Zugangsweisen zu entwickeln. Und es ist nur nahe liegend, dass es zunächst deviante Strömungen sind, an denen neue Verfahren und Blickrichtungen erprobt werden können“ (beides S. XII)
Walking With God: Realism, Fanaticism, and the Future of Jewish Law
No full textSince the mid-twentieth century, converging factors have enabled haredi (“ultra-orthodox”) Jews to exert considerable influence on more moderate forms of observant Judaism. In the area of Jewish law, this has led to a shift from rabbinic realism, characterized by contextual and lenient rulings, to fanaticism, which views stringency as the only authentic mode of Jewish legal interpretation. This paper examines two historically moderate communities particularly affected by haredization: modern Orthodoxy in America and Sephardic Judaism in Israel. From these case studies, it will become clear that without significant efforts to revive and promote a middle-of-the-road approach, observant Judaism will continue to be dominated by fundamentalist views
Seven Logical Consequences of Interreligious Dialoguing: A Taxonomy of Praxis Possibilities
No full textDespite the incredible amount of literature written about interreligious dialoguing, scant critical attention has been devoted to mapping out the potential logical consequences of the enterprise. This is regrettable, especially given the high hopes many expect to achieve through participation. The critical literature from various traditions was reviewed using textual criticism as the analytical lens. Seven logical outcomes were subsequently identified and explicated herein using the following taxonomy. Namely: (a) nothing happened, (b) understanding, (c) insightfulness, (d) tolerance, (e) conversion, (f) frustration, and (g) defection. It was concluded that the a priori understanding of these potential outcomes would significantly moderate future delegate expectations. In addition, professional awareness of the range, depth and contours of these dialogic consequences had important ramifications for both participant preparation and event organisation. Practical suggestions for dealing with various impediments were proffered as appropriate. Further research into this important praxis area was recommended
Karl Jettmar (†) & Ellen Kattner: Die vorislamischen Religionen Mittelasiens
No full textDas anzuzeigende Werk blickt auf eine mittlerweile über dreißigjährige Entstehungszeit zurück und wurde unter verschiedenen Titeln sowie unter wechselnder Angabe der vorgesehenen Autoren seit langem angekündigt. Die in dem Buch behandelten Themenkomplexe sind allesamt für den Religionshistoriker interessant und auch wichtig genug, um im Rahmen der wohl bedeutendsten rein deutschsprachigen Schriftenreihe auf dem Gebiet der Religionswissenschaft gewürdigt zu werden. Allerdings weckt der Titel zunächst gewisse Erwartungen, die – bedingt durch die Konzeption des Bandes und dessen Stellung innerhalb der gesamten Reihe – nicht in vollem Umfang erfüllt werden. Wer eine ausführliche Darstellung des mittelasiatischen Buddhismus, des nestorianischen Christentums oder des Zoroastrismus in diesem Gebiet erwartet, wird möglicherweise überrascht sein, welche Themen tatsächlich ausgewählt wurden