Religion in Diverse Societies

Religion in Diverse Societies: Crossing the Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust contributes to existing cutting-edge research on the constructive way in which religion can support the promotion of respect, dignity, and justice for all people, considered as essential features in shaping sustainable, diverse, and peaceful societies. Through a combination of theoretical perspectives and theological analysis, applied to "real-life" contexts, the diverse contributions examine the role of religion in helping to achieve this and thereby challenge the attitudes and practices that create walls of prejudice and distrust. This timely volume provides a critical discussion of the complex role of religions in the public and political spheres in a range of global contexts and furthers the inter-religious, international, and interdisciplinary understanding of how religion can contribute to promoting and helping create inclusive and diverse societies.

Pauline Kollontai is Professor Emeritus at York St John University, UK, and a Fellow at Wesley House College, Cambridge. She is co-author of On the Significance of Religion for Human Rights (2023), and co-editor of the book series Religion Matters. Sue Yore is a senior lecturer in religion at York St John University, UK. She is the author of The Mystic Way in Postmodernity: Transcending Theological Boundaries in the Writings of Iris Murdoch, Denise Levertov, and Annie Dillard (2009).

1. Humanitas for the 21st Century: The Role of Religion in a Values-Led Public Discourse on Global Challenges 2. From the Mystical Internal to the Political External: Revisiting Dorothee Soelle's Concept of Mysticism and Resistance as a Way of Moving Beyond Dualistic Thinking 3. On Love, Hope, Faith. Rediscovering Ancient Virtues for Today's Triple Crisis 4. Religious Communities Working Together on Fair Trade to Counter Prejudice and Distrust 5. The Problem of Polarization in US Politics and the Theology of the Common Good 6. Precious Blood Spirituality as Resource for Crossing Boundaries of Prejudice and Distrust in the United States 7. Tamil Buddhist Strivings for Freedom: Exploring the Religious Initiatives of Pandit C. Iyothee Thasar 8. What Kind of Public Theology?: A Contextual Reimagination in Times of Coup and Nationalism 9. Faith-Based Higher Education and Peacebuilding: A Case from Myanmar 10. The Christian Ministry of Reconciliation and Settler Decolonization in Aotearoa New Zealand 11. From Fear to Trust Between Islam and the West: Positioning Faith-Based Organizations in International Relations 12. Towards a More Inclusive Understanding of Human Rights for Non-Muslims in a Muslim State: Sunni-Hanafi Perspective 13. Challenging the Religious Political Discourse and Practice of Racism in Israel