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Manuel A. Vasquez’s response to: “The Homo Economicus”.

Date:26 March 2013

In today’s post, prof. Manuel A. Vasquezsuggests an alternative view to the ‘Homo Economicus’ in his response to Ella Sebamalai’s post on transnational religious networks and faith-based organizations. Rather then calculated rationality, Vasquez argues in...

Reflections on Pope Francis I

Date:24 March 2013

Following Pope Francis I’s celebration of his first Palm Sunday mass, commencing the most important week in the Catholic liturgy, we share a recent interview with Dr Mathilde van Dijk from the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, University of...

The Homo Economicus and transnational religious networks in a post-secular society

Date:21 March 2013

Last week,  Prof. Manuel A. Vasquez gave a guest lecture on “Conceptualizing domination and resistance in transnational religious networks” at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies in Groningen. Here Ella Sebamalaiengages with the ideas he raised...

Multiple Secularities: How Culture Matters in Religious-Secular Relations

Date:19 March 2013

Next Tuesday Prof Monika Wohlrab-Sahr will give a seminar in Groningen on her research into the impact of different secularities in various cultural and political contexts. Today she gives Religion Factor readers a sneak preview.

Religious authority and new media culture

Date:13 March 2013

The internet holds great potential for communication and creativity within religious communities, but brings with it new challenges for religious authorities. This was the central theme of a guest lecture given by Dr. Heidi Campbell,  at the Faculty of...

Securitizing Religious Violence: the Cases of Mali and Syria – Part Two

Date:11 March 2013

Suzanne Klein Schaarsberg  continues her exploration of the securitization of religion in the conflicts in Mali and Syria.

Securitizing Religious Violence: the Cases of Mali and Syria – Part One

Date:07 March 2013

Yesterday French President Francois Hollande announced that French troops will begin withdrawing from Mali in April, instead of March, as originally planned.  Suzanne Klein Schaarsberg  explores how religion, particularly religious violence, has been...

“More than Belief” – Exploring the sensory side of religion

Date:04 March 2013

Alexandra Grieser discusses new research approaches in the aesthetics of religion, being showcased at a conference held in Groningen later this week.

Stories about HIV/AIDS and Religion

Date:26 February 2013
Author:Kim Knibbe
Is HIV/AIDS mainly a medical problem, a spiritual problem, a political problem or all of the above? The answer to this question determines to a very large extent how people and organizations deal with HIV/AIDS.

Religious or political? Or both? Religious rituals as political activism

Date:19 February 2013
Author:Religion Factor
Today’s post from Erin Wilson continues some reflections on fasting from last week, asking whether fasting is just religious or political or if in fact sometimes it can be both.