Religious Boundaries Research Articles

The Sacred of Today?

Abstract Even if the sacred is a classical concept in religious studies and sociology, relatively little is known of its current empirical subjective varieties. This article explores what people today consider sacred at the intersection of religion and nonreligion. Our data (N=6938) was collected with face-to-face interviews (N=1965) and from an internet panel (N=4313) in Finland. We present both an overall picture on what people consider sacred and the results of exploring the effect of religiousness, political stance, and social structural positions. Respondents of both moderately religious and nonreligious groups tend to hold health, love, and close ones sacred. Our findings challenge a linear, dualistic view of religious versus nonreligious and show that sacred exceeds religious boundaries and is experienced by religious and nonreligious people alike, but in various ways. The concept of sacred can be used to detect the inner diversity of both religious and nonreligious identities.

Samson in the Galilee—and Beyond

The authors of the present essay have been working together since 2014 to publish the mosaics from the late Roman synagogue in the village of Huqoq in eastern Lower Galilee. The final season of active excavation in summer 2023 has prompted us to reflect on how the task of interpreting the Huqoq mosaics has been informed by and has responded to ongoing excavation at the site. We focus here on the mosaic that depicts the exploits of the biblical figure Samson, emphasizing the serendipitous nature of the sequence and pace of discovery and how these factors shaped our analysis and interpretation of the mosaic fragments. The story of this discovery offers a cautionary tale, demonstrating the dangers of cordoning off the study of synagogue art from its wider contexts. We argue that an air of exceptionalism surrounds the study of ancient synagogues in Israel. Methodologies that constrain the scope of research to conform to fixed ideas about social, cultural, and religious boundaries end up offering sterile interpretations of material that is better viewed in dynamic and open-ended terms. The Huqoq mosaics have demonstrated, again and again, the interconnectedness of Mediterranean visual culture.

Kitchen Hinduism: Food politics and Hindi cookbooks in colonial North India

Abstract This article deliberates on the entanglements between politics and the history of food, health, and gender in Hindu middle-class households of early twentieth-century North India, through the genre of printed cookbooks in Hindi. While cookbooks became important nodes through which to construct an ideal Hindu housewife and kitchen, they were also a place where educated, middle-class women’s voices came to be heard, recorded, and published. The article shows how and why cookbooks are an important source for writing gendered social histories of the Hindu middle classes in modern India. Simultaneously, reflecting on the larger politics of food, the article focuses on the social identities embedded in these culinary texts, and the multiple meanings they embodied, as they strengthened gender, caste, and religious boundaries, constructed a past golden culinary age, upheld ayurvedic knowledge, bemoaned the present state of culinary sciences, used food to overcome the malaise of the middle classes, fashioned an ideal Hindu upper-caste palate as synonymous with a vegetarian diet, and imagined a healthy family and a strong Hindu nation through culinary idioms.

Salafism and the local: Negotiation, accommodation and Re-localization of Ethiopian Salafism

ABSTRACT This article investigates changes within Salafism – Ethiopia’s main Islamic reform current – over the last decade. We argue that these changes are driven by a new generation of Muslims increasingly embedded in the broader Ethiopian society and who find the more established Salafi ideas’ narrow emphasis on personal piety and on maintaining religious boundaries as insufficient in addressing questions related to their immediate realities. These young Muslims have subsequently started to question Salafi thought and practice, contested claims of religious knowledge, which in turn have forced senior Salafi leaders to re-negotiate their earlier isolationist and exclusivist positions. Our key question is whether these developments can be understood as the emergence of what has been labelled post-Salafism. We argue that such changes within Ethiopian Salafism – and Salafism more broadly – are not necessarily the results of detached ideological developments or caused by trans-local ideological flows. Instead, we believe that the local and situated discourses are far more important than previously assumed. We argue for the need to duly consider aspects beyond what is commonly imagined as the religious and to acknowledge how each locality is shaped by particular historical developments, contemporary cultural dynamics, changing demographics, socio-economic realities and political discourses.

Translating Jain Philosophy at the Confluence of Persianate Hinduism

Abstract In 1796, Claude Martin (1735–1800), a wealthy French officer of the East India Company living in Lucknow, commissioned the Brahman Delārām to translate into Persian two classical texts from the Digambara Jain philosophical tradition. Using the Braj Bhāṣā commentaries composed by the seventeenth-century Jain author Hemrāj Pāṇḍe, Delārām was able to access the original Prakrit texts of the eighth- and tenth-century philosophers Kundakunda and Nemicandra via an updated vernacularized version. His translations are as an exceptional document showing the hermeneutic tools that a Persian-speaking Brahman could use to parse the doctrinal system of Jainism. Delārām’s language was markedly shaped by his familiarity with Advaita Vedānta and the “unity of being (vahdat al-vojud)” school of Sufism, focused on ontological unity. More specifically, the Sufi-Advaita idiom that developed in Persian from the early Mughal period onward functioned for Delārām as a lens through which he could engage with the doctrinal diversity of India’s religious landscape. His efforts to translate the unfamiliar and sometimes perplexing elements of Jainism reveal the complex modalities of crossing linguistic and religious boundaries through Persian in South Asia and their partial incommensurabilities.

THE BHAGAVAD GITA: A TIMELESS GUIDE TO ETHICAL LIVING AND PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND ENLIGHTENMENT

The Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture, stands as a profound philosophical treatise offering timeless life lessons that transcend cultural and religious boundaries. This study delves into the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, exploring its influence on personal growth, ethical decision-making, and the pursuit of knowledge. By examining core concepts such as duty, selflessness, resilience, and enlightenment, this paper highlights the relevance of the Gita’s wisdom in contemporary life. The objective is to demonstrate how the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings remain pertinent today, providing guidance for leading a meaningful and ethical life in the modern world.

The roles of anthropomorphism, spirituality, and gratitude in pro-environmental attitudes

ABSTRACT Emotions can be a powerful motivator of pro-environmental behavior, but less is known about how religious factors shape these emotional responses. Two studies investigated how spiritual views of nature—as an anthropomorphic being, that provides positive self-transcendent emotional experiences and spiritual resources—are associated with gratitude to the natural environment. Feeling gratitude was a robust unique predictor of pro-environmental attitudes, including a desire to preserve and protect nature, moral disapproval of environment degradation, and pro-environmental civic engagement. We documented the association between spiritual views of nature, gratitude, and pro-environmental attitudes in Singapore (n = 1375) and the United States (n = 745) and across diverse religious groups. Furthermore, the association between gratitude to nature and pro-environmentalism was not moderated by perceived overlap between God and the natural environment, indicating that spiritually-grounded feelings of gratitude to nature have direct associations with environmental attitudes that extend across religious and cultural boundaries.

Constructing, Revealing and Concealing Identity through Oaths in the Late Ancient Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract In this article, I will examine the functions of oaths in narratives of encounter, confrontation and polemic between religious communities in late antiquity, especially Jews and Christians. Through an analysis of these narratives, I hope to show that oaths had several functions: specific oath formulae were strongly associated with specific religious identities, and as such could be used to highlight distance between religious groups. However, oaths could be used to demonstrate the permeability of religious boundaries, or even be deployed cunningly to conceal one’s identity or subvert expectations of its performance.

The construction of ethnoreligious identity among Muslims and Christians in Rote Ndao Regency, Indonesia

There has been much research on the violent conflict in interactions between ethnic and religious communities in Indonesia. However, there is a noticeable gap in research focusing on how people can live harmoniously across these divides. This paper aims to explore the construction of ethnoreligious identity in Christian-Islamic encounters in Rote Ndao Regency, Indonesia. The fundamental question underlying this research is how the socio-historical and cultural backdrop contributes to forming 'Rote Islam' as an ethnoreligious identity and how processes of interaction, negotiation, and integration shape social interactions between Christians and Muslims. The research employs an ethnographic and phenomenological approach incorporating observations, interviews, participation, and literature studies to achieve this. The findings indicate that as an ethnoreligious identity, ‘Rote Islam’ is constructed from a process of interaction and social practice (collaborative) that has gone beyond religious and cultural boundaries. Examples of these practices include the gifting of land, the transformation of kinship through marriage, the transfer of technology, the tradition of kissing noses, the Kebalai dance, the celebration of religious holidays, and the identification of Leo, all of which illustrate the processes described in this study.

Influence of Media on Religio-Cultural Development and Academic Performance of Youths in Nigeria

Media plays a significant role in the religio-cultural development and academic performance of Nigerian youths. It connects them across religious and cultural boundaries, promoting the expression and preservation of religious and cultural activities. However, the proliferation of digital media has also led to challenges such as misinformation, religio-cultural erosion, and distractions that can hinder academic progress and undermine traditional beliefs. This paper analyses existing literature and empirical studies to provide insights into the complex interplay between media exposure, religio-cultural identity, and academic outcomes among Nigerian youth. The positive influence of media on the religio-cultural development and academic performance of Nigerian youth is significant, as exposure to diverse religious and cultural perspectives fosters tolerance, understanding, and appreciation for Nigeria's rich heritage. Educational content aids academic growth and skill development. Media serves as a tool for empowerment, inspiring youth to pursue their passions, educational goals, and a deeper connection with their religio-cultural roots. However, it emphasizes the need for media literacy and critical analysis to navigate potential challenges posed by media's influence on religio-cultural values and academic pursuits.

The Seeds of Corruption. How Religions go through the Laws of Adaptation

This article explores the concept of 'adaptive symbiosis' between religion and culture, challenging the notion of religions as static or immutable entities by showcasing their dynamic engagement with and adaptation to local cultural contexts. The notion of ‘adaptive symbiosis’ transcends mere coexistence or amalgamation, embodying a deep, complex process of mutual adaptation. Within this evolutionary dance, both religion and culture emerge not merely as participants but as co-creators of a new reality. Through the examination of various religious traditions—such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and others—it illustrates how religions evolve in symbiotic relationships with host cultures, leading to the creation of hybrid cultural-religious identities. Highlighting the mechanisms of biological adaptation—mutualism, amensalism, commensalism, and parasitism—as metaphors, the article delves into the complex interplay between religious teachings and cultural integration. It argues against viewing religions as immutable, instead presenting them as evolving entities that contribute to the richness and diversity of human civilization, especially in the context of globalization. This dynamic, evolving space of adaptive negotiations underlines the importance of understanding the fluid nature of cultural and religious boundaries in contributing to novel forms of expression and identity. Through this exploration, we aim to shed light on the enduring and evolving relationship between religion and culture, highlighting how this dynamic interplay contributes to the richness and diversity of human civilization.

Inter-religious Coexistence in Cordoba During the Umayyad Period

This article attempts to explore the intricate socio-religious relations in Cordoba during the Umayyad period which was marked by unprecedented cultural vibrancy and intellectual ferment. Situated at the crossroads of diverse faiths—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism—Cordoba exemplified a remarkable coexistence that transcended religious boundaries. This article contends that the city's unique confluence of cultures, fostered by a spirit of tolerance, not only defined its historical identity but also served as a paradigm for interfaith harmony, intellectual exchange, and cultural synthesis. Examining the complicated interplays between social and religious elements, this article unravels the complexities of coexistence, conflict, and collaboration, illustrating how Cordoba's inclusive ethos propelled advancements in reciprocal peaceful co-existence. Beyond its medieval walls, the lasting legacy of Cordoban society provides a compelling historical precedent for fostering understanding, tolerance, and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Urge to learn English: Breaking the Stigma of English as Bahasa Kafir (Infidel Language)

English is often considered a "Bahasa Kafir" or infidel language and is associated with Western values conflicted with certain religious beliefs. This literature research explores the origins of this stigma and why English is perceived as such. This article aims to break the stigma associated with English by analyzing cultural, historical, and religious contexts. Through a literature review, researchers highlight the importance of understanding that language is a universal communication tool not tied to a particular religion or culture. In contrast, English has values that transcend cultural and religious boundaries. Although such stigma can hinder access to educational and professional opportunities, a deeper understanding of English can broaden our view of the world, open the door to cross-cultural collaboration, and promote a deeper understanding of human diversity. Therefore, examining why English is considered a “Bahasa kafir” can provide valuable insight into how cultural biases and prejudices can influence how people think and interact.

Religious infrastructure: designations, transformations, entanglements

ABSTRACT Infrastructures are ensembles of social and technical components that make practices and relations possible. In this contribution, I develop a notion of ‘religious infrastructure’ and delineate why I find it to be a generative analytical category. Thinking with religious infrastructure spotlights new sites of empirical inquiry for scholarship on religion, as well as fresh ways of apprehending familiar objects of analysis. It brings into focus how religiously marked arrangements support, depend on, and mutually transform wider landscapes of action and relation. These lines of inquiry point to dynamics that cut across different religious boundaries, and they uncover sometimes surprising entanglements between religiously and secularly marked domains of practice. They also help to foreground the multiple modalities of religious operation that a given arrangement can perform, beyond that of mediating transcendent encounters. Accordingly, religious infrastructure elicits questions about what qualifies as ‘infrastructure’, but also about what qualifies as ‘religion’.

Bioethics, Suffering, and the Culture Wars

This article provides an analysis of the enduring disagreements among bioethicists over the divide between secular and religious boundaries that are reflected in liberal, libertarian, and conservative approaches to medicine as a profession and vocation. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the most authoritative voices to address the problem of suffering were Protestants, Strict Calvinists, hydropaths, and homeopaths. Other religious and medical groups had regularly confronted pain and suffering in the nineteenth century in light of the discovery and increasing use of anesthesia. Rationalizations for suffering were first and foremost indebted to strong beliefs about divine will and about the seemingly inevitable course of nature. Did physical pain reflect the wrongdoing of one individual or of an entire community? What was the appropriate way to respond to the natural circumstances of growth, decay, and healing? Such questions produced a varied rhetoric of suffering that emerged in new ways in the second half of the twentieth century. Questions and concerns about the ethical foundations of medical practice—what should and should not be permitted—illustrate the present cultural struggles.

“You Can Be Whatever You Want to Be” Except for on Shabbat: Challenging the Traditional Shabbat Party

ABSTRACT Within Orthodox Jewish early childhood programs, gender roles of the Shabbat Party promote heteronormative gender expectations that contend with values about children, teaching, and Judaism. Interviews with 15 educators suggested tensions between gender flexible attitudes and beliefs that gender unfolds naturally. Pretend play was considered a safe space for challenging gender, regulated by perceived sociocultural and religious boundaries. Conversely, the Shabbat Party roles were rigidly instituted without much examination of their implications for gender and Jewish identity development. While a few dissenting voices revealed an emerging gender consciousness, the ongoing need for dialogue, reflection, and gender flexible practices are recommended.

Unveiling Divinity: A Comparative Quest Into The Perception Of God In Islam And Semitic Religions

The quest to understand the perception of God across different religions has been a central theme in human civilization. This comparative study delves into the essence of divinity as perceived in Islam and Semitic religions, exploring the foundational beliefs and philosophical underpinnings that shape the understanding of the Supreme Divine Authority. Drawing from insights gleaned from renowned historian Arnold Toynbee's monumental work on the history of religion, this study underscores the significance of religion in unraveling the mysteries of existence. Despite attempts by non-religious ideologies like Marxism and Freudianism to undermine organized religion, the enduring presence of faith systems underscores the intrinsic role of religion in human existence. Through an examination of key scriptures, including the Glorious Qur'an, this study elucidates the commonalities and divergences in the perception of God, emphasizing the universal call to worship a singular, omnipotent deity. Moreover, it highlights the innate human inclination towards belief in the Creator, positing that acceptance of divinity requires no precondition, while disbelief necessitates conditioned skepticism. Ultimately, this study offers profound insights into the universal quest for understanding the divine, transcending cultural and religious boundaries to illuminate the timeless truths underlying human spirituality.

Moving toward the “Other” on the Margins

AbstractAs the world grows into a global village through modernity and migration, one would think that boundaries and differences would be less; however, the closer we get to each other in the world, the more social, ethnic, economic, religious, and political boundaries we encounter. This phenomenon has led to the concepts of the “other” and those on the margins. Trying to define the term “margins” can be problematic. This article begins by reviewing the “incarnational model,” where the mighty and powerful are supposed to move toward the less powerful and bridge the gap between those in the centre and those on the margins. It goes on to propose the “eucharist model” and the “table model” for encounters, in this way removing barriers between people in a quest for a classless world.

Incontinence and homelessness.

The fundamental principles of why specific people become homeless, can be grounded in a simple rationale or founded within sophisticated reasoning. For instance, people who suffer from substance abuse, addiction, alcohol, gambling, have mental health concerns or financial difficulties may be susceptible to homelessness. It is also identified that persons who experienced violence in their childhood or abuse by a partner are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. Homelessness knows no ethnic, cultural, religious or gender boundaries, and can impact all individuals' health and well-being. A health problem and worldwide phenomenon that affects all cohorts of the population, including the homeless, is urinary incontinence. The aim of this article is to increase the awareness of incontinence and highlight the impact it has on the lives of people that experience homelessness.

Simian Episteme, circa 1200

This article examines intersensory practices between seeing and hearing surrounding the medium of painting in middle-period China. Deviating from the better-known pictorial practice in which a mimetic image of a sound maker provides an entryway into a fictive soundscape, the central work discussed in this article depicts only a listener, and an unusual one at that: a seated monkey at the intersection of poetic, religious, and ecological boundaries. Attentive to the puzzling nonhuman form of the represented subject as an unlikely listener, it probes how the interplay between seeing and hearing gave rise to a complex sonic environment in pictorial medium. The unveiling of the mixed modality steers us toward an underrecognized role of painting in Chinese history as a material stimulus for multisensorial experiences, beyond the rhetoric of “soundless poetry” that has often stifled such dynamic potential of the medium.