World Religions Research Articles

Religion and Education in the Ancient Greek World

Religion and Education in the Ancient Greek World

Interreligious Views on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Indigenous Knowledge for Environmental Preservation

This paper employs a qualitative narrative analysis to explore interreligious perspectives on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to address environmental challenges. It delves into the viewpoints of three major world religions – Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism – highlighting their distinct yet complementary stances. Christianity, grounded in the principle of stewardship, emphasizes humanity’s divine-given duty to care for the Earth. Within this framework, AI is seen as a promising tool to enhance environmental knowledge, sustainable practices, and conservation. Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ lays down principles, stressing the interconnectedness of creation, that can guide AI integration. In Islam, the concept of “Khalifa” signifies human stewardship of the Earth. Though opinions on AI vary, there are those who view it as a means to improve environmental knowledge and resource management. Islamic teachings encourage seeking wisdom from diverse sources, including indigenous knowledge. While recognizing AI’s potential for ecological understanding, Buddhism raises concerns about excessive reliance on AI-generated information. Emphasizing interconnectedness, compassion, and mindfulness, it encourages a balanced approach where AI complements personal connections and mindfulness in experiencing nature. In summary, these religions appear to recognize AI’s potential while emphasizing ethical, cultural, and spiritual aspects. This interplay fosters holistic and sustainable environmental preservation, where technology and Indigenous Knowledge coexist. It invites further collaboration to ensure that technological advancements align with ethical and environmental values, promoting a just, equitable, and harmonious coexistence with our planet. Keywords: interreligious perspectives, artificial intelligence (AI), indigenous knowledge (IK), environmental challenges

Unveiling Magnetic Charisma of Islam: A Multifaceted Exploration into the Allure and Impact of Muslim Culture and Society

This article unveils the magnetic charisma of Islam, offering a multifaceted exploration into the allure and impact of Muslim culture and society. It begins by providing a brief overview of Islam as a major world religion, its historical roots, and its contributions during the Golden Age of Islam. The article delves into the pillars of Islamic culture, highlighting the significance of faith, spirituality, and the Five Pillars of Islam, as well as the joyous celebrations and festivals that shape Muslim culture. It further examines the diversity within Muslim society, including its global reach across continents and the rich tapestry of customs, traditions, and cuisines that define different Muslim cultures. The article emphasizes the role of Muslim women, their diverse roles, and their contributions to education, activism, and positive change in their communities and beyond. Challenges and opportunities for Muslim culture are addressed, including the impact of modernization, globalization, and Islamophobia. Despite these challenges, the article underscores the resilience of Islamic culture, its ability to preserve identity while adapting to changing times, and its positive influence on interfaith understanding and cooperation.

АМУЛЕТЫ И ОБЕРЕГИ НАРОДОВ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА В СОБРАНИИ РОССИЙСКОГО ЭТНОГРАФИЧЕСКОГО МУЗЕЯ

The article examines objects from the Russian Ethnographic Museum’s collection, the primary purposes of which are protective. The collection of things with defensive or protective properties dates back to the first museum excursions to the Caucasus and is still going on today. Researchers frequently turn to the study of magical activities that are a vital component of traditional socie-ties’ lives. The study discovered that amulets and amulets identical to each other existed in the North-Western Caucasus, regardless of the prevalent religion of the region’s peoples. Items from the REM collection, which represent all forms of amulets and amulets that existed here, are the primary source of work. The article also depends on the works of predecessors devoted to the spir-itual culture of the peoples of the Northwestern Caucasus, as well as field materials gathered by the author throughout many years of anthropological expeditions to the region under investigation. The author concludes that: 1) when creating amulets, the religious affiliation of the peoples of the North-Western Caucasus is of secondary importance; 2) despite belonging to world religions - Is-lam or Christianity - people use individual objects to protect themselves and the space around them from harmful effects; and 3) any object that has been given sacred significance can be used as a protective object. The study’s findings demonstrate the Caucasus as a place where peoples have constantly interacted, resulting in reciprocal enrichment of civilizations.

Russian pagans in special military operation (experience of individual interview)

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of one of the directions of modern paganism (Asatra/Odinism) through the prism of the philosophical features of the participant of special military operation (SVO). The purpose of this work is to analyze the source base (interview materials) of the carrier – the respondent to determine the specifics of religious nativism in the area of the special military operation.Materials and Methods. The research materials are in-depth interviews, narratives of ideologues of modern Russian paganism, containing information about the specifics of the Germanic-Scandinavian variation of the religious phenomenon of the XXIst century. The author used the following methods: cultural and anthropological methods (qualitative content analysis, analysis of a set of individual interviews), hermeneutic method, comparative analysis. The study pays considerable attention to the principle of objectivism. In particular, during his work on pagan narrative sources, the author adhered to the principle of non-supporting hermeneutics, a method of historical phenomenology.Results. As a result, some features of «vital activity» of the phenomenon of world view of Russian pagans in the zone of special military operation were considered. The interviewing of a representative of the Scandinavian paganism (loneliness) made it possible to form an opinion on the following problem fields connected with the entry of neophytes into the religious system: on ceremonial practices, places of worship during war, symbolism, attitude towards state power, future of religious nativists in the realities of the Russian Federation.Discussion and Conclusions. The author managed to reach the following conclusions: in the zone of special military operation, in addition to representatives of world religions, active adherents of modern variations of Slavic and Scandinavian «traditional» beliefs. Slavic-Scandinavian religious syncretism is observed in the military pagan environment. The micro-world of «combat paganism» is partly an ideological, structural tracing of the «peaceful pagan diaspora» existing in the religious space of the Russian Federation. In both cases, there is a choice in favor of individual reading of the constructed/reconstructed creed, an identical system of charms, a common opinion on issues related to the initial period of the ancient Russian state (the place of foreign elites in its genesis).

Death and Religion in a Changing World, by KATHLEEN GARCESFOLEY

Death and Religion in a Changing World, by KATHLEEN GARCESFOLEY

The World by Religion

Abstract This article represents the results of analysis of data on religion for all of the countries of the world which appear in the World Religion Database (Johnson and Grim 2023). Data was collected at the national level from a number of sources including censuses, surveys, polls, religious communities, scholars, and others. After data collection and analysis, discrepancies were worked out and best estimates are made for each religion across a number of years. Results are presented for religionists and non-religionists as a whole as well as for each religious and non-religious category.

Religions by Continent

Abstract To supplement our global assessment of 18 religions in a previous article in this issue of the journal, here we offer analysis of religious affiliation by the globe and six continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Northern America, and Oceania. Estimates of religious affiliation are made for four dates, 1970, 2000, 2023, and projections for 2030. We also contrast growth in two 30-year periods, 1970–2000 and 2000–2030. These global and continental tables are based on country data (World Religion Database). United Nations regional tables (e.g., Western Africa) can also be constructed from the country data.

Традиционные российские ценности: институциональный анализ

The article presents the results of an institutional study of the official Russian narrative about traditional values, which is aimed at identifying the degree of their integration into the system of legal norms. Using methods of comparative legal, thesaurus and content analysis, as well as the analogy method, the author attempts to assess the optimality of the choice of traditional values in Russia from the point of view of constitutional norms and postulates of the world religions and determine to what extent these values are incorporated into the documents of political goal-setting. The author treats as traditional the values recorded in the “Fundamentals of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values” approved by the presidential decree in 2022, and compares them with the values of the Constitution, the basic moral imperatives of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism, as well as with the values outlined in the strategic documents and national development goals of the Russian Federation. The study shows that the officially declared traditional spiritual and moral values do not fully coincide with the constitutional ones and, at the same time, are more focused on secular ethics than on the principles of the world religions. Simultaneously, the author reveals their inconsistency with the top-level goal-setting documents and national projects. According to the author, in the current conditions, such a discrepancy, which weakens the effect of a legislator’s actions, may be preferable to the consistent and systematic introduction of values with their conventionality being questionable. Revealing socially significant norms is possible only after conducting a detailed and substantive study of public opinion, longitudinal trends, political and economic processes. Otherwise, normative entrenchment can cause further polarization of the society rather than its consolidation.

Spiritual Care in PICUs: A U.S. Survey of 245 Training Fellows 2020-2021.

To understand the perspectives of pediatric fellows training in critical care subspecialties about providing spiritual care. Cross-sectional survey of United States National Residency Matching Program pediatric fellows training in critical care specialties. Online survey open from April to May 2021. A total of 720 fellows (165 cardiology, 259 critical care, and 296 neonatology) were contacted, with a response rate of 245 of 720 (34%). None. We assessed fellows' survey responses about spiritual care in neonatal and pediatric critical care units. Categorical data were compared using chi-square test or Fisher exact tests. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the percentage correct on ten multiple-choice questions about world religions. Free-text responses were independently coded by two research investigators. A total of 203 of 245 (83%) responding fellows had never received training about spiritual care and 176 of 245 (72%) indicated that they would be likely to incorporate spiritual care into their practice if they received training. Prior training was associated with increased familiarity with a framework for taking a spiritual history ( p < 0.001) and increased knowledge of spiritual practices that could influence medical care ( p = 0.03). Prior training was also associated with increased self-reported frequency of taking a spiritual history ( p < 0.001) and comfort in referring families to spiritual care resources ( p = 0.02). Lack of time and training were the most reported barriers to providing spiritual care. Providing spiritual care for families is important in critical care settings. In 2020-2021, in the United States, 245 pediatric critical care fellows responded to a survey about spiritual care in their practice and reported that they lacked training in this subject. An opportunity exists to implement spiritual care curricula into pediatric fellowship training.

Discovering ‘Religion’: Nineteenth Century Colonial Attitudes Towards Religious Identity and Difference in Southeast Asia

ABSTRACTThis paper seeks to show how the example of colonial writings in Southeast Asia display, but also complicate, some already identified patterns in how religion, and the world religions paradigm (WRP), alongside such discursive terms as ‘superstition’, were applied to the religious practices and worldviews of indigenous Southeast Asians through the nineteenth century. Such figures as Sir Stamford Raffles and John Crawfurd, amongst others, from both the British and American colonial enterprise, are examined in terms of how both Islam and other forms of religiosity are framed in their writings. The paper focuses upon merchants, adventurers, and officials rather than scholars in terms of how they framed these traditions in their writings, and developed influential ways of representing this region and its peoples, which was also created in the process of so-called ‘discovery’. The imbrication of race, religion, and civilisation is critically discussed, alongside how mercantile pragmatics also played into the formation of categories.

Religious Moderation in Constantinople in the Resolution of Political Conflicts in the 14th Century

The Islamic conquest of Constantinople in the 14th century is a captivating historical episode in history that continues to intrigue historians. It stands out due to the involvement of two major world religions - Islam and Christianity. Furthermore, this conquest marked the end of the Roman civilization. One notable aspect of this conquest was the harmonious relationship between Muslims and Christians, which persisted before and after the event. This study aims to explore the implementation of religious moderation in Constantinople to resolve political conflicts. Adopting a historical methodology, the research collects data through extensive documentation and literature studies, employing a socio-political approach. The findings highlight that religious moderation played a crucial role in conflict resolution during the 14th century in Constantinople. The concept of religious moderation was not only applied before the conquest, but also after it. Before the conquest, the value of moderation was demonstrated through peaceful negotiations between the Islamic kingdom and the Catholic prelate in Rome. Several treaties were agreed upon, emphasizing the importance of faith and peaceful dialogue over resorting to military confrontation. Following the conquest, Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih exemplified religious moderation by engaging in negotiations with the inhabitants of Hagia Sophia. They agreed an agreement allowing Christians to continue practicing their faith despite being under Islamic rule. Additionally, al-Fatih displayed respectful treatment towards the prelate and Christian warlords, further exemplifying the value of moderation. The findings of this study shed light on the significance of religious moderation in resolving conflicts and offer a fascinating insight into the history of Constantinople during this period

Coding definitions of participant religious, non-religious and spiritual beliefs in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents & Children (ALSPAC).

Mainstream religious beliefs and behaviours have been shown to have positive effects on health and well-being, but there has been increasing secularisation in the West over time. With concurrent increases in those stating they have no religion (the 'nones') there are increasing numbers now describing themselves as humanist, 'spiritual but not religious' or who have sought alternative forms of belief. Others have formed their own beliefs using elements of different belief systems. This trend is reflected in ALSPAC data with larger proportions considering themselves as 'nones', agnostic or atheist, and about 3% of parent participants consistently stating they had 'other' beliefs. The main aim of this paper is to describe the coding of the Christian denominations, world religions, non-mainstream beliefs (NMB) and non-religious groups derived from the text-based data collected from the original mother and partner cohorts (G0). This spans a period of ~28 years from pregnancy onwards. We also describe the coding of text-based responses from their offspring (G1) collected at ages 27+ and 29+. The creation of this coded data will enable researchers to compare between the Christian denominations and/or other belief groups taken from two generations alongside the rich resource of physical and mental health, behavioural and social data that exists within ALSPAC.

The Phenomenon of Credit in the Perspective of Religious Culture

Relevance. The article notes that usury can pose a threat not only to public morality, but also to state security. Meanwhile, in Russia, interest-bearing lending has become a significant part of banking activity, and loans are often imposed on citizens. This article is devoted to the norms of bank lending, which are studied in the context of religious cultures. Purpose. Due to the fact that the phenomena of social and economic life are especially useful in accordance with the norms of culture, it is proposed to explore such ways of development of the banking sector of the economy, in which they would be consistent with the principles of traditional culture, which are expressed in world religions, primarily Christianity and Islam. The objectives of the article correlate with its purpose and suggest identifying ways to eliminate usury and replace it with more effective means of developing banking business. Methodology. The methodological basis of this article is the dialectical unity of induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis. The comparative method is also used. Results. It is emphasized that usury is considered a serious sin in both Christianity and Islam. Using the example of the banking system in Iran, the article suggests mechanisms for bringing the principles of lending to business projects in accordance with ethical and religious canons. In a sense, these canons correspond to the principles of the socialist economy and are consistent with the norms of the welfare state. Conclusions. The main idea of the article is that banks abandon usurious activities and invest capital in projects, from the net profit of which they also have a certain income. In this case, the bank itself is interested in the success of the business in which it invests funds. Accordingly, with this approach, the level of risks is significantly reduced and doing business acquires real partnership foundations.

Cooking the Cosmic Soup: Vincent Moon's Altered States of Live Cinema

The films and live cinema of Vincent Moon are considered in this chapter as ‘psychedelic’: a form of filmmaking and film performances that can open the doors of perception to invisible realms of percepts, affects and durations that are beyond or below ordinary human perception. According to Paul Schrader, films can evoke such spiritual dimensions, in particular through what he called the transcendental style of film, and what Gilles Deleuze termed the time-image. As an audio-visual ethnographer of world religions who is distinctly influenced by shamanic and animistic traditions, Moon brings the transcendental style back to its plane of immanence. His live cinema performances have a ritualistic and ecstatic aspect that recalls the esoteric history of haunted media. Moon's enthralling film performances induce altered states of mind, tap into spiritual realities and immerse the audience in magic.

Perennialism Approach toward the Unity of Religions

The formation of a sound interreligious dialogue concept is essential if different religious believers are to coexist peacefully. Many well-known religious experts have been working very hard to establish a foundation for interreligious discussion. Some of them have made an effort to conceptualize the notions of religious unity, in which all the many religions in this multireligious world could find common ground. placed. Let's start by looking at how people now interact with religion. People who argue that all religions' teachings are relative reject the idea that every one of them conveys the absolute truth. This is one of several kinds of human attitudes toward religion. They can be categorized as "relativists." People who reject all other religions and only accept their own as absolute are in the second group. This concept might be referred to as "exclusivism." People who look for a means to accept all religions as true fall into the third type. "Universalism" is the concept in question. We now have a better understanding of how people respond to the diversity of religions in "a highly globalized world," but we must ask again: how did people learn to adopt these mindsets?

Pilgrimage in world religions as a cultural phenomenon

The article analyzes the modern aspects of the development of pilgrimage in Islam, Christianity, Judaism. It is proposed to evaluate different stages in the history of pilgrimage development based on the study of current research on this topic. The legal aspects of maintaining and protecting pilgrimage are highlighted both at the national level of different countries and within the framework of international law, since such a phenomenon of world culture is not an ordinary familiarization trip, but is associated with the age-old traditions of different religions that allow millions of believers of different nations to manifest faith through a collective religious ritual.

Рецензия на альбом-каталог: Владимир Попов. Каллиграфия. Автор-составитель Л.Н. Донина (Казань, 2019. 400 с.)

The article is devoted to the illustrated-annotated album-catalogue “Vladimir Popov. Calligraphy,” representing one of the stages of the work of the famous artist. Works by V.A. Popov's are found to be of ever-increasing relevance – in connection with Russia's new turn towards the ideas of Eurasianism, towards cooperation with the countries of the East, an important mediator of which is Tatarstan. The calligraphic works of the master are shown in the context of his life and creative path involved with with the history of the country and the region, the development of the Tatar national culture and the Arabographic art of the republic. This reflects the uniqueness of the author’s concept of L.N. Donina, expressed in a detailed display of the creative path and civic stance of the artist. The reviewer notes the depth of the publication author's search for the meaning of V.A. Popov’s turn to Islamic graphics. This stage of his biography is interpreted as a period of finding answers to important life questions that were posed and solved by the artist. In the wisdom of Islam, he finds those ideas that resonate with his own spiritual search and do not contradict the postulates of other world religions. He expresses them in his characteristic expressive manner, using a wide range of means of artistic expression developed by him in previous years. This gives the author a reason to characterise the master’s work of this period as a synthesis of Tatar and Russian cultures, traditions of East and West. The article concludes that the work under review is an independent research work in which L.N. Donina, in addition to the main art criticism, uses general scientific and historical approaches. Album-catalogue “Vladimir Popov. Calligraphy” is certainly a creative achievement of the author.

Are You my Rabbi? Yitz Greenberg’s Intellectual Biography in Kuhnian Terms

Abstract This article considers Rabbi Yitz Greenberg’s version of open orthodoxy and its development. Greenberg initially framed his theological journey as a “paradigm shift.” Archival materials from “before” and “during” this theological breakdown are discussed, and a fine-tuning of Greenberg’s narrative is suggested. The article demonstrates how overemphasizing what changed in Greenberg’s views misses the structural continuities in his writings across the decades. Finally, three shifts or “transgressions” are discussed: religious feminism, openness towards world religions, and denominational pluralism. The reception of these shifts is described as a function of a Kuhnian-inspired linguistic incommensurability. However, the Kuhn model, which describes winning and losing camps, is called into question.

Religion and cooperation across the globe

Social science research has stressed the important role of religion in sustaining cooperation among non-kin. We contribute to this multidisciplinary literature with a large-scale empirical study documenting the relationship between religion and cooperation. We analyze newly available, experimentally validated, and globally representative data on social preferences and world religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism). We find that individuals who report believing in such religions exhibit more prosocial preferences, as measured by their levels of positive reciprocity, altruism and trust. We further document heterogeneous patterns of negative reciprocity and punishment—two key elements for cooperation—across world religions. The association between religion and prosocial preferences is stronger in more populous societies and weaker in countries with better formal institutions. The interactive results between these variables point again towards the substitutability between religious and secular institutions, when it comes to sustaining cooperation.