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This article examines the cultural significance of prayer in African societies, arguing that it extends beyond religious contexts and influences various aspects of everyday life, politics, and cultural industries. The authors emphasize that prayer serves multiple purposes, including social control, identity formation, creative expression, and catharsis. They propose animation theory as a framework for studying prayer performances, highlighting its transformative power in shaping social and political orders. The article aims to challenge the notion that prayer is solely a religious practice and showcases the diverse ways in which it is practiced across different religious traditions and countries in Africa. [Extracted from the article]

Closely, the stylistic diversity is connected to modern fine arts as a diverse technical movement that calls for change by refusing all forms of old traditions, values and norms. Thus, it refuses its reality, which is affected by political, economic, social and psychological aspects. Moreover, the reality leads to disintegration, self-destruction, and constant threat which are accompanied by anxiety and instability. The international artist revolted against society, language, sacred things, rules of mind and culture, and he or she opened up the fine arts with the works they contain (painting and sculpture) to their other arts to produce visual views that bear an alien characteristic and openness to the environment of its modern creative visual views. Due to the vital and aesthetic significance of this topic, the researcher sought to address it in her study. For this reason, the research problem was established according to the following question: (What is the stylistic diversity that changed the form and concept of modern fine arts?). Based on the research question, the researcher formulated the significance of research and the need for it to shed light on the important aspects in which this study was prepared. Then, she prepared the aim of this study where the researcher sought to reveal the stylistic diversity that changed the form and concept of modern fine arts. Also, the researcher determined the objective, spatial, and temporal limitations of the research. In addition, the researcher defined the terms for the keywords of the research. The researcher mentioned (the cognitive framework of modern artistic methods) and (the philosophical rules that explained the development and diversity of modern artistic methods), including visual semiology and its impact on modern stylistic diversity. She mentioned the art of an event and image and the development of social media. The researcher discussed (the stylistic diversity adopted by modern artistic currents). The findings of the current study are: (1) The abolition of artistic naturalization in modern fine arts due to their openness to each other and the production of hybrid arts, (2) Stylistic diversity led to the diversity of environmental spaces with an open visual view and (3) the variety of methods and techniques that took on an alien characteristic which were used by the artist in most of his or her viewed works. Finally, the researcher presented the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tefillin are a religious article worn by Jewish men during daily prayer. Tefillin dermatitis secondary to potassium dichromate sensitivity is recognised, but data remain sparse. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of tefillin dermatitis. Methods: Patients who underwent patch testing with the European baseline series in a tertiary dermatology clinic in 2009–2023 and were diagnosed with tefillin dermatitis were identified by file review and their clinical data recorded. Results: Of 1679 consecutive male patients tested, 25 (1.49%) were diagnosed with tefillin dermatitis, accounting for 15.34% of all potassium‐dichromate‐positive patients (163/1679). Mean pre‐symptomatic duration of tefillin use was 38 ± 16.9 years, and mean follow‐up time, 3.1 ± 2.9 years. Patients presented with an eczematous rash on body areas in direct contact with the leather box or straps of the tefillin. An id reaction was noted in 32%, and sensitivity to other leather accessories, in 44%. Fourteen patients (56%) switched to chromate‐free tefillin: symptoms resolved completely in 11 (79%) and partially in 2. Limitations: Retrospective cohort design. Conclusion: This is the largest study to date of tefillin dermatitis caused by sensitivity to potassium dichromate used in leather production. Prognosis after switching to chromate‐free tefillin was good‐to‐excellent. Tefillin dermatitis may be more prevalent than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good religious education needs to be rooted in a robust theological anthropology. The Roman Catholic Church’s gender complementarity approach is inadequate for accompanying adolescents in Catholic schools as they engage in questions of gender and sexuality; instead, educators need a theological anthropology oriented towards adolescent flourishing. To construct a more capacious theological anthropological approach, one that is still authentically Catholic and rooted in the Church’s official documents, this essay turns to Pope Francis’ Christus Vivit and Fratelli Tutti. From Francis’ concern for mercy and accompaniment, a theological approach to the goodness of adolescence is described, which can ground theological reflection on gender and sexuality in love and human dignity, rather than shame and exclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Contested heritage' and 'cancel culture' have specific meanings and points of reference in our culture today, but these are by no means new phenomena in the life of cathedrals. At the time of the Reformation and the Civil War, all evidence of traditional Catholic culture was considered fair game for iconoclasts, who systematically destroyed saints' shrines and tombs with their relics. In recent years, in association with the revival of the practice of pilgrimage and in unstated rejection of Reformation tradition, shrines of saints in many cathedrals have been restored, some including relics. It is unsurprising that saints and their shrines can be controversial, since saints themselves are 'signs of contradiction', those whose lives lived according to the standards of the kingdom of heaven challenge the values of earthly kingdoms and cultures. Norwich Cathedral is unusual among the ancient cathedrals of England in never having had a great saint enshrined within it. This study will consider the cases of two figures locally revered as martyrs, William of Norwich and Edith Cavell, whose lives and witness have been causes of international controversy and yet who still merit commemoration by Christians today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is the responsibility of the federal entities to implement the curriculum of the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC). In the case of Religious Education, the curricula of the States present a plurality of understandings and strategies that result in disparate references. This article aims to point out curricular variations between BNCC and state curricula, and problematize the epistemological understanding of this component, as an area of knowledge. The research methodology used is the hermeneutics of official texts of Religious Education, from a point of reference: otherness as an itinerary of the ethical subject in the construction of respect for diversities as a precondition. The following results are observed: the curricula show differences in understanding the object of Religious Education; the reference to ethics and citizenship emerges as a panacea for the uproar between Religious Education and the Secular State; the epistemological reference of the Science(s) of Religion(s) proposed by the BNCC of Religious Education does not hold; the emancipation of confessionality does not occur or is fragile; the relationship with the Human Sciences is not systematic; the epistemological displacement towards a subjectivity anchored in a theological anthropology is frequent; the Religious Teaching class is a therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents literary criticism focuses on the role of Christological imagery in Mary Ward's 'Robert Elsmere' as a means of rethinking faith amidst Victorian religious change. Topics include the interplay of emotion and intellect in character conversion, the novel's influence on readers' perceptions of faith, and the significance of imaginative reformulations in the context of contemporary theological debates.

This article argues that the Catholic Church in Nigeria needs to move beyond interreligious dialogue that dwells more on Councils' interactions and discourses to develop a dialogical ethical framework that engages religious multiplicity in a more active capacity. Although Nigeria's religious diversity necessitates interreligious dialogue, that alone is insufficient for constructing concrete ethics of dialogue. The article thus argued for an ethical framework tagged one family, many flavours. The theological sense of the proposal is rooted in Catholic social teachings but open to engagement with other religious traditions for mutual respect and social justice. The religious scope of the article is on Roman Catholicism and the Nigeria Muslim Ummah. The article addressed related ethical challenges confronting Nigeria's interreligious landscape as a diverse religious community. Primary and secondary sources were used in gathering information for the article; thus, scriptural texts and traditions in Islam, as well as sources in Roman Catholicism, were theologically engaged. The suggested model acknowledges the importance of retaining one's religious identity while also recognising the importance of interreligious dialogue and the right of the religious other in ethical matters. The article is envisioned to promote conversations about translating dialogical frameworks into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal for Religion in Education / Religionspädagogische Beiträge is the property of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Katholische Religionspadagogik & Katechetik (AKRK) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article titled "Sojourn" explores the concept of embarking on a journey and the transformative experiences that can occur during that process. The authors draw inspiration from historical figures such as Harriet Jacobs, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth, who undertook daring journeys to seek freedom. The article features various forms of art, writing, and conversations that invite readers to reflect on their own journeys and consider the impact of their actions. The authors emphasize the importance of paying attention and making connections, and they offer a packing list of symbolic items to accompany readers on their own sojourns. [Extracted from the article]

Under conditions of rises in the maintenance costs of religious objects, declining numbers of visitors to most of them, and greater public awareness of their potential, the following is becoming important: (1) the pressure to increase the ways in which their space is used and (2) to take advantage of the "added value" that these objects bring to the localities in which they are located. The owners of religious objects are increasing the functionality of these objects; therefore, they can expect more financial support for their maintenance, including from public resources. Local entrepreneurs undertake and develop types of economic activities that are directly or indirectly related to the existence of the designated objects in the area, and the local government, thanks to the tax revenue raised from them, improves the standard of living of the people in the area. The purpose of this article is to collect, organize, and systematize the knowledge of the functions of Christian historic religious objects and the possibility of their influence on the external environment. This study fills a research gap in this area, for the information on this topic in the literature is scattered and unstructured. The method used in this study is a critical analysis of legal acts and literature. From the analysis, it is clear that Christian religious buildings today perform multiple functions. In addition, the strength of their impact on the external environment creates the economic development of an area and results in an increase in the income level of its inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores the concept of sacramentality in Christianity, focusing on Christ, the Church, and the seven sacraments. It discusses the Church as a sacrament in a derived sense, dependent on Christ as the primary sacrament of the divine life. The article delves into the Trinitarian mystery as the foundation of sacramentality and the role of the seven sacraments in constituting the Church. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the depths of these mysteries through a close examination of the Gospels. The text also discusses the role of the Church in the communication of divine life and the encounter between the holiness of the Church and individual lives. It explores the sacraments, particularly Baptism, Confirmation, and Orders, and their role in the Christian faith. The text highlights the significance of the sacraments in the Church and their power to communicate divine grace. It concludes by discussing the concept of sacramental grace and its connection to the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The text emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist as the sacrament of unity and the source of eternal life. It also discusses the relationship between sacramental characters and grace. The article was written by Charles Journet and Aaron D. Henderson in 1974. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan dan Ilmu Sosial (JMPIS) is the property of Dinasti Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The introduction to this special issue, "Subversive Religion and More-than-Human Materialities in Latin America," conceptualizes the transformative force of practices often gathered under the rubric of "popular religion," including Indigenous, Black, and campesino ritual as well as vernacular Catholicism and Pentecostalism. Rather than treating these practices as manifesting an essential alterity to either the modern state or the "West," we frame them as struggles to build a new world order both against and otherwise than frameworks. Exploring the materiality of these struggles across several dimensions—of the earth, of religious objects and rituals, and of the sovereign body—we describe the constitution of what we call the "flesh of justice" and probe its subversive effects. Drawing on the distinctive tradition of Latin American Marxism to contest the separation of the subaltern "otherwise" from the domain of modern politics, we offer two analytics for engaging with the flesh of justice in Latin America: subversive cosmopolitics and theopolitics. Resumen: La introducción a este número especial sobre "Religión subversiva y materialidades más-que-humanas en América Latina" conceptualiza la fuerza transformadora de prácticas muchas veces nombradas como "religión popular", incluyendo rituales indígenas, negros o campesinos, así como catolicismos o pentecostalismos vernáculos. En lugar de tratar estas prácticas como manifestaciones de una alteridad esencial frente al estado moderno o al "Occidente", las entendemos como luchas para construir un nuevo orden mundial en contra de y también de otro modo que esos marcos. Al explorar la materialidad de estas luchas en varias dimensiones—de la tierra, de los objetos y rituales religiosos, y del cuerpo del soberano—describimos la constitución de lo que llamamos la "carne de la justicia" e indagamos en sus efectos subversivos. Recurriendo a la tradición distintiva del marxismo latinoamericano para rechazar la segregación de la "otredad" subalterna de la política moderna, ofrecemos dos analíticas para aprofundizar en la carne de la justicia en América Latina: la cosmopolítica subversiva y la teopolítica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early modern period, the appearance of ghosts carried both religious and pathological connotations in the wake of the twin movements of the Reformation and the Renaissance. According to this belief system, the supernatural was seen as a factor in creating an imbalance in bodily humours, including the black bile, thus resulting in a melancholic disposition. Based on contextual and historical data, this article historicises the religious and pathological identity of the Ghost in Hamlet, which reflects the early modern understanding of the supernatural. This study is separate from existing discussions that focus solely on the role of the Ghost in the play. However, the very nature of the Ghost, a great driving force behind the plot thrust, as understood by Shakespeare and his society, has been fairly neglected. This study, therefore, situates three distinctive aspects of the Ghost in early modern society, warranting attention in Shakespearean criticism. Firstly, the findings of this study underscore the nuanced religious persona of the ghost, encompassing both Protestant and Catholic perspectives, as understood in the early modern period. Secondly, its pathological and melancholic nature is discussed which finds its origins in the theory of humours. This aspect of the Ghost is strongly linked to creating an imbalance in Hamlet's melancholic humour and driving events to their tragic end in the play. Thirdly, it examines Shakespeare's exploration of the mind-body discourse through the Ghost's interactions with the Prince, reflecting the intellectual currents of the seventeenth century. Moreover, as the Ghost belongs to the past, this fact connects the appearance of the Ghost with the idea of the history of the passions--a still-burgeoning field of study in the humanities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to berat, the sacred object of the Yezidi religion. It is a pearl-shaped white pellet made in the holy Iraqi valley of Lalish from the local dust mixed with several ingredients. For the Yezidis, berat constitutes a physical testimony of their connection with the holiest place on earth and at the same time the link with the location that, according to their cosmogonic myth, has been created by God in the heavens and then descended as the first place on earth. The objective of the article is to analyse this sacred object, describe its preparation, discuss its symbolism, and its use in Yezidi religious rituals. Such an approach allows the author to conclude the article with a hypothesis about the origin of the berat and its connection with similar Muslim and Christian objects (turba, hnana, Malka), and early Islamic legend about the creation of primordial Muhammad from a handful of light resembling a pearl. The study, which is the first monograph on berat, is based mainly on the author's own field research in Iraq, Georgia and Turkey, Yezidi oral tradition and source texts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the presented research was to test the relationship between basic beliefs about a religious object (Transcendence, God) operationalized by Hutsebaut and various forms of civic engagement. In discovering these relationships, the mediating role of prayer importance, understood as an indicator of the strength of commitment to the relationship with God, was taken into account. In the study conducted with 535 young adults, the following tools were used: Post-Critical Belief Scale, Civic Engagement Questionnaire and Prayer Importance Scale. The results showed that social activities were more strongly associated with beliefs accepting the existence of God, while political activities were more strongly linked with attitudes rejecting the existence of God. Prayer importance was shown to mediate the relationship between beliefs accepting the existence of God and social activities and to increase the strength of service-oriented activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a critical report about the visit to the catholic goods market Expocatolica 2023, which happens annually in São Paulo city. From Material Religion methods, the main goal was to map religious-ideological tendencies materialized in the trade of liturgic objects, as well as secular objects added of religious symbolisms. As secondary goals, I tried to observe negotiations between religion and new technologies, as well as, to what extent religiosities have been commoditized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the attitudes and beliefs of teacher training students in the subjects of Protestant, Catholic, and Islamic religious education towards interreligious teaching events. Interviews are conducted with six Christian and two Muslim students to reconstruct their mindsets regarding religious pluralism and good teaching. The results show that the students have different preconceptions that influence their actions in teaching. The study contributes to the professionalization of future religious education teachers and examines the effects of university teaching on religious instruction. [Extracted from the article]

The article deals with the religious pedagogical discourse on religious education for sustainable development (rBNE). The approaches of Bederna and Gärtner, which focus on transformative education and political education, are presented. The debate on rBNE deals with topics such as the added value of the religious perspective, the challenges of normative rBNE, and the practical implementation in religious education contexts. The necessity of interdisciplinary approaches is also emphasized. The article provides an overview of relevant publications on the topic until 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The article re-reads the religious didactic model of elementarization in the context of the pedagogical and didactic debate about controversial issues in (religious) education. To this end, I reconstruct that controversiality is a basic principle of elementarization as a whole and of each of the five dimensions. This reveals a reciprocal benefit: on the one hand, controversiality becomes visible as a consistent but rather implicit topic in the discourse on religious education; on the other hand, it emphasizes that the model of elementarization is permanently relevant and sensitive to contemporary developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following study takes its cue from a body of literature that seeks to challenge the academic discourse on "religion" as transcendent, irreducible, and unique – sui generis. Naturally, a sui generis conception of religion also views religion's objects through a lens of transcendence and divine authority. These objects possess immense meaning potential and act as social mediators in particular social contexts. In both ancient and modern times, early Christian manuscripts are examples of such religious objects. They are evidence of the literary practices of early Christians and are windows into their social contexts, reflecting how these believers navigated their socio-cultural realities. Modern scholars often use these manuscripts as evidence to postulate the existence of homogeneous Christian communities who created these texts for their theological upliftment. However, are such postulations supported by the material evidence? This paper examines one case study where 72 has been propped up as a witness to the presence of a coherent unified proto-orthodox Christian community in the fourth century CE in Egypt. The following research concludes that extant evidence points to a socio-religious context in Egypt during this period that was remarkably complex; as such, the existence of such a community cannot be supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the religious dimension of the coastal adaptation of Muslim communities on northern coast of Java, Indonesia. As a volcanic island, geomorphological processes are the main causes of coastal inundation in Java. Nonetheless, debates on coastal adaptation mostly related to climate change adaptation. By focusing on North Coast Java, this study aims to draw parallels between the experiences of Javanese communities and communities facing rising sea levels in other parts of the world. Two Muslim communities were selected as both have experienced coastal flooding and indicate religious dimension in their adaptive strategies. This study has three main findings: 1. The religious dimension contributes significantly to environmental adaptation processes; 2. Religious practices interact in both positive and negative ways to affect the adapting communities; and 3. In the Javanese context, environmental adaptation takes the form of a narrative around local history and the experiential knowledge of the drowning communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does philosophy of religion, specifically, have anything to contribute to the cultural debate about the modern crisis of meaning, and particularly to attempts at retrieving a sense of enchantment beyond human construction? Suggesting a methodological rapprochement between philosophy of religion and phenomenology, I explore a recent popular attempt to reenchant the world through a retrieval of the sacred: All Things Shining: Reading the Western Classics to Find Meaning in a Secular Age (2011) by Hubert Dreyfus and Sean Dorrance Kelly. Using their work as a foil, I discuss the relation between phenomenology and metaphysics in the experience of the sacred, specifically the possibility of a pluralism that is nonetheless realist; the necessity of social embeddedness and pedagogy in the constitution of sacred meaning; and finally, the problem of moral discrimination within this sphere. Through this critical discussion a constructive argument emerges: philosophy of religion done in a phenomenological mode has resources to address these difficult issues, and thus to explore experiences of the sacred in ways that are metaphysically sophisticated, attentive to historical tradition and pedagogy in the constitution of meaning, as well as to the need of communal moral deliberation in the sphere of the sacred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of the article are religious conflicts in the 1920‘s judged by the Regional court in Uherské Hradiště. In most cases, paragraphs 122 and 303 of the Criminal Code were used. Those paragraphs protected the churches against criticism and disruption of their ceremonies. Other laws were used to protect religion in cases of violence between members of different confessions. The analysis focuses on the discourse of the criticism. Besides that, the causes of conflicts are another topic of the research. The author pays his attention to how the state was solving the conflicts and how the offenders were punished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Black studies scholars have long argued that archives are violent and dismembering, especially as the universities which house them preserve the physical and immaterial remnants of slavery. Religious studies scholars, especially historians of religion, have begun attending to this quandary while sifting through archives of slavery and religion. This article enters this discourse by focusing on the afterlives of slavery and their relationship to the religious innovations of Black religious actors in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This article, then, centers the author's visceral experience in an archival reading room of a university while consulting the material objects of religious practitioners Reverend John L. Reed and Sister Mamie Wade Avant. In the process, the article reconstructs a historical narrative about their lives and argues that religious studies must reckon with the archive of antiblackness and its capture of Black religions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the indispensability of religious material culture for identity processes during times of surveillance and persecution under Albania's communist regime, especially after 1967, under conditions of intensified anti-religious frenzy. The significance of materiality in underground spirituality is investigated through two case studies. After outlining the methodological design of this study and its theoretical principles grounded on the Identity Process Theory, we delineate the historical background in which religious communities and individuals found themselves vis-à-vis their religious identities during 1967–1990. Then, we comparatively study two inconspicuous religious artefacts alongside their stories and the people who preserved and used them. Through these two cases, we strive to demonstrate how surveillance and prosecution mobilize identity processes that often act in dissidence to the political establishment by looking at how communication and memories associated with visual, material religious objects emit emotions and affection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative investigation examines the layers of meaning associated with the baisri, a traditional Buddhist sacrificial offering. Documentary review and field research was conducted with local people, monks, pilgrims and tourists in Kham Chanod, the spiritual home of the legendary Naga in Northeastern Thailand. The findings reveal that the baisri culture is flourishing in this remote corner of Thailand owing to a resurgence in the popularity of the site following the success of a Thai movie about the Naga. Huge quantities of traditional baisri are now traded in the region, but the original religious meanings of the object continue. Artisans retain the original religious symbolism of the baisri, and visitors value the spiritual meaning of the object. However, a new secular function of the object has emerged with its newfound economic importance to the local community. This article discussed that dichotomy between the secular and the sacred through the lens of the baisri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to identify the critical factors that cause conflicts and division among the Muslim community in Malaysia. As the disputes among Muslims in Malaysia are acknowledged by religious scholars and national leaders to become more serious in recently, a formula for forming a more united and harmonious generation in diversity needs to be devised. Thus, the identification of the root cause of the problem and conflict mechanism can lead to religious harmony in society. This study tries to answer the question of why the phenomenon of religious conflict is formed in the Muslim community in Malaysia. This study uses a qualitative approach through a thematic analysis of transcripts from in-depth interviews. The study also conducts a systematic review of articles related to religious conflict from a social psychology perspective to support the argument. The result of the study is a model of the mechanism of religious conflict that uses a system model as the framework. Its impact on long-term national development is highly relevant as stated in Malaysia’s Vision for Shared Prosperity 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hebraic written stones represent the primary surviving physical testimony to the Jewish past in Portugal, apart from a Medieval synagogue in the city of Tomar. As it is true for other religious objects, medieval Hebraic epigraphic stones have become a heritage asset, opening the way to specific recognition of the Jewish materiality of Portugal. Long after the forced conversion of Portuguese Jews to Catholicism or their exodus, a few epigraphic testimonials were collected, maintained, and displayed. A group of 20th century Jewish and non-Jewish amateur archaeologists and historians assembled manuscripts, books and stones and attempted to establish a museum in the medieval synagogue of Tomar. They dedicated themselves to the study and preservation of this written religious legacy and proposed to focus on the letter as the principal material heritage to represent the Portuguese Jewish past. Drawing on the concept of religious heritage complex, this article describes how letters, as material remains, lead to the cultural renewal of a religious minority's past. The study also sheds light on the cultural and religious consequences of this attention to letters on the heritage-making process itself. Through a combination of archival study, ethnographic fieldwork and comparison, the study sought to better understand the late destiny of the written remains of Judaism in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arts Magazine is the property of Thamar University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores the challenges of repatriating poorly documented Aboriginal sacred religious objects from Central Australia. The authors present an overview of historical endeavours to repatriate these objects from Australian domestic museums and the progress of recent returns from international collections. Detailed documentation, including reference to an object's specific relationship to places, people or ancestral stories is critical to ensuring that rightful contemporary Central Australian Aboriginal people can assume care and responsibility for any repatriated objects. The absence of provenance data and any other related collection documentation can therefore greatly inhibit the return of these objects to present-day custodians. Exploring the prospect of returning large numbers of poorly provenanced sacred objects back to Australia, this paper argues that aside from the potential logistical or infrastructure requirements of repatriating these items, the development of Indigenous cultural frameworks and innovations will be critical to any meaningful repatriation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the roots of antisemitism and the asymmetry of the Israel-Hamas conflict. It highlights the fundamental differences between Hamas, a fundamentalist Islamic movement with genocidal intentions, and Israel, a democratic country with internal conflicts and controversies. The article argues that there can be no common platform for dialogue between the two sides due to their differing beliefs and goals. It also explores historical parallels, such as the rise of Nazism, and discusses the impact of religious ideologies on societies. The author concludes that while an uneasy truce may be possible, the constant changes in the real world are the only cause for optimism. [Extracted from the article]

The article analyzes religious pilgrimage in Chile as a case of religion as a space of memory. It highlights that religious pilgrimage is a stable practice in popular Catholicism in Chile, with approximately 24% of the population participating in vows to the Virgin. It is suggested that religious pilgrimage combines elements of cultural modernity centered on the individual with a strong capacity to generate a sense of belonging. The testimonies of the pilgrims reveal the individual and autonomous experience of religiosity, the tradition and family memory as the basis of religious obligation, and the perpetuation of this obligation through vows and reciprocity. It is concluded that the study of religious pilgrimage offers a reflection on the deinstitutionalization of religion and its role in the social reproduction of beliefs and memory. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the relationship between human nature and the sacraments, presenting different perspectives on their relevance. It focuses on the teachings of Hugh of St. Victor, who sees the sacraments as offering humility, instruction, and exercise to heal human nature. The article discusses how Hugh's ideas were integrated into the thought of other theologians and emphasizes the importance of recognizing sinful behavior, respecting the institution of the sacraments, and the instructive nature of sacraments. It critiques sociological views that diminish the sacraments' significance and advocates for a renewed interest in traditional sacramental theology. [Extracted from the article]

A powerful bead network that wove together a transcontinental tapestry of cultures predated the Spanish invasion of the Americas. Beads created in the northeastern Atlantic world found themselves in Aztec and Incan territories, as did beads made from rocks found in the Pacific Northwest, all of which had been borne along trade networks that have existed for ages. Sixteenth-century illustrations found in the Mexican codices demonstrate the traditional manufacture of beads, which were used for a range of quotidian and ceremonial purposes. Since medieval times, Spaniards employed beads, called rescate, as currency for inequitable trade, whether for slaves or precious metals. The Spanish invasion introduced beads manufactured in other parts of the world to the Americas to form part of the ceremonial and spiritually endowed objects and ceremonies, and vice versa, American beads made their way into Spanish clothing and religious objects such as the rosary. A significant infusion of new beads from Spain rushed into the American bead network in the sixteenth century, some of which had international origins from places such as Venice, India, and West Africa. As material objects, beads negotiated intercultural relationships in powerful ways throughout the Spanish empire: beads were involved in treaties, territorial agreements, prayer, spiritual relations, wayfinding, and most importantly, ceremony. This article maps out the collision of bead networks within the sixteenth-century Spanish empire so as to flesh out the similar and innovative uses of beads, whether among Native American, Afro-descendant, or European communities, and their connection to spiritual and ceremonial practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the religious celebrations in Madrid during the reign of Felipe V, highlighting the importance of processions, richly adorned altars, and pyrotechnic shows to honor the canonized saints. It analyzes the organization of the events, the participation of the nobility, and institutional collaboration in the celebrations, which include theatrical performances, poetic contests, and an iconographic program to exalt the virtues of the saints. Additionally, it details the financing of the religious festivities, with the participation of the nobility, ladies of high society, and the ecclesiastical estate, as well as the collaboration of religious communities in the organization of the events. [Extracted from the article]

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One of the most important areas of tension for diaconia in the Western European, German-speaking context is the demands of an interreligious and plural society. The social challenges to churches with their congregations and parishes, diaconal organizations, and the state with its social institutions are complex. This article deals with religious layers of social transformations that shape helping actions. It focuses on innovative projects in the field of spiritual care and diaconia that created new spaces of diaconal practice in the last ten years in the Canton of Zurich and Switzerland. Specifically, the process of accrediting the first imam at the University Hospital in Zurich, the employment of chaplains of Muslim and Jewish faith in the Swiss Army, and the training of Muslim chaplains in the Canton of Zurich are presented. On the one hand, the aim is to adequately define the relationship between diaconia and spiritual care in a pluralistic society. On the other hand, interreligious cooperation is analyzed as a process of intercultural communication and transcultural practice. From this, theses for prospective, innovative, and well-founded interreligious cooperation in diaconia can be gained, which can be further developed and discussed in other European and global contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the importance of qualitative research in the field of communication inquiry and emphasizes the value of approaching research as a life-giving and sustaining process. The managing editor of the Journal of Communication Inquiry introduces the theme of political discourse and positionality in volume 48, issue 1. The lead article analyzes memes from the 2020 US election, highlighting their narrative complexity and ability to provide relief and connection during a tumultuous time. Another article explores the use of performance types in political advertising and their impact on democratic erosion. The issue also includes articles on religious identity, media representations, labor documentaries, globalized political discourse, and the branding of Kuwait. The article concludes with a book review on political polarization and identity. [Extracted from the article]

The article situates religious education and philosophy/ethics didactics - as well as the teaching subjects they open up - into a field of tension between competition and cooperation. On the one hand, both subjects are more established than ever before and are therefore able to enter into dialogue with each other (see section 1). On the other hand, although the didactics of religion has a considerable thematic, methodological and perspectival breadth (see section 2), it does not pay particular attention to the relationship with the didactics of ethics/philosophy - rather, this is to be seen as a "special subject" (see section 3). This is problematic insofar as the didactics of religion could learn a lot from the didactics of ethics, and the question of whether and what ethics and religion(s) can contribute to the interpretation and guidance of life in a modern society is of great importance (see section 4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]