This book analyses religious identity transformations through inter-religious relations. It aims to highlight the link between religious discourse and social cohesion, or the lack of such a link, and ultimately seeks to contribute to the dominant discourse on Muslim-Christian relations. The book is based on fieldwork in Indonesia and Tanzania, and is timely because of the growing tensions between Muslims and Christians in both countries. Its relevance lies in its fresh look at theories of religion and science. From its establishment as an academic discipline, the phenomenology of religion has dominated religious studies. Its theory of religion is 'realist' (religion is a reality 'in itself') and its view of science is objectivist (scientific knowledge is true if its representation of reality corresponds with reality itself). Based on Discourse Theory, the author argues that religion does not exist 'in itself'. Human practices and artifacts become religious because they are placed in a narrative context by the believers. By using discourse analysis as a research method, the author shows how religious identities in Tanzania and Indonesia are constructed, negotiated and manipulated in order to gain material or symbolic profit.

This book analyzes socio-religious transformation in Tanzania. Some scholars claim that religion has returned to the public domain since the collapse of Tanzanian socialism, and that there is a tension between Muslims and Christians. Based on focus group discussions in Dar es Salaam, author Thomas Joseph Ndaluka acquires insight into Muslim - Christian relations using Critical Discourse Analysis. He analyzes how Muslims and Christians identify and position themselves in relation to each other and the conditions which make them elevate their religious identity over other identities. Ndaluka reveals that some periphreal voices threaten social cohesion, but, in general, Muslims and Christians maintain friendly relations and avoid conflict. He also shows individualization or de-institutionalization as dominant trends in the country. However, educational institutions have remained strong and influence other institutions, such as the family. (Series: Interreligious Studies - Vol. 5)

The book aims to promote greater understanding of social cohesion amidst existing complexities of faith and identity, and what this portends for our future. The emphasis is on the importance of engagement across beliefs and cultures, the different generations and segments of population, and the diverse interests of people in a digital and interconnected world. The policy officials, religious leaders, scholars and society-at-large will be able to better appreciate the search for common ground and harmony, thereby strengthening their endeavours for coexistence.The book seeks to continue the conversations and deliberations at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) held from 19 to 21 June 2019 in Singapore. The three themes of the ICCS — Faith, Identity, Cohesion — stimulated significant discussions on the need for mutual respect, trust and understanding of each other's beliefs and cultures. Many ideas on the ways forward were raised and further discourse is necessary.An unprecedented line-up of academic, civil society, government, intellectual, policy, religious and youth leaders provided a wide array of perspectives on challenging issues faced by diverse societies around the world. The transcripts of the official speeches elucidate the vision of leadership and aspiration looking ahead. The book also features delightful photographs and graphic recordings of the key thrust articulated during the ICCS.

Language plays a key role in religion, framing how people describe spiritual experience and giving structure to religious beliefs and practices. Bringing together work from a team of world-renowned scholars, this volume introduces contemporary research on religious discourse from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives. It introduces methods for analysis of a range of different kinds of text and talk, including institutional discourse within organised religions, discourse around spirituality and spiritual experience within religious communities, media discourse about the role of religion and spirituality in society, translations of sacred texts, political discourse, and ritual language. Engaging and easy-to-read, it is accessible to researchers across linguistics, religious studies, and other related disciplines. A comprehensive introduction to all the major research approaches to religious language, it will become a key resource in the emerging inter-disciplinary field of language and religion.

Using approaches from sociology, media and religious studies, David Herbert compares recent public controversies involving or implicating religion in the UK (England and Northern Ireland), the Netherlands and France.

This book examines social identity transformations through interreligious relations in post-Reformasi Indonesia. It answers two questions: how do Muslims and Christians identify and position themselves and others; and what are the socio-cognitive effects of their identification and positioning? The objectives are, first, to gain insight into the relation between religious discourse and (the lack of) social cohesion, and, second, to contribute to a theory and method of studying interreligious relations. The study is based on 24 focus group discussions in Surakarta (Central Java), making a critical discourse analysis of them. The book concludes that the interviewees use various classifications to identify and position themselves and others, although these are not fixed but fluid, depending on specific situations and interests. The book advocates for a shift from the 'social identity' theory to a 'multiple identity' theory for studying religion and interreligious relations. (Series: Interreligious Studies - Vol. 6)

How do urbanization and development intersect with religious dynamics to shape contemporary African cityscapes? To answer this timely question, contributors from across Europe, North America and Africa are brought together to explore mega-cities including Lagos, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam and Kinshasa as powerful venues for the creation and implementation of religious models of urbanization and development. This book interrogates how religious socio-spatial models and strategies engage with challenges of infrastructural development, urban social cohesion, inequalities and inclusion. Chapters explore how faith-based practices of urban and infrastructural development link moral subjectivities with individual and wider aspirations for modernization, change, deliverance and prosperity. The volume brings together ethnographically rich and theoretically grounded case studies of religious urbanization across the African continent. It advances discussions of the ambivalent role of urban religion in development and documents the complex, multifaceted socio-cultural and political dynamics associated with religious urbanization in Africa.

This book looks at the relationship between religion and state in Tanzania as a feature of the Tanzanian social scene, from pre-colonial/colonial times to post-colonial times. It examines the changes in the character of religion and state relations, especially after independence, and the way these changes are experienced in different communities - particularly by African traditionalists, Muslims, and Christians. The book studies the nature of the relationship between religion and state, the way it is conceptualized and experienced, and the implications for the democratic aspirations of pluralist Tanzania. (Series: Interreligious Studies - Vol. 7) [Subject: History, African Studies, Religious Studies, Politics]