Religions

21 pages, 520 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Good Grief! After-Death Communication, Grief, and Gratitude

by John Elfers, Patty Hlava, Monique Patrice Sudduth, Cassandra Gaddis, Elizabeth Leigh Foster, Slade Richards and Yujia Zhu

Religions 2025, 16(7), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070894 (registering DOI) - 12 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study sought to clarify the role of after-death communication in resilience in grief. The primary research question guiding this study was: In what way do experiences of after-death communication inform the cultivation of gratitude and compassion as part of the grieving process? [...] Read more.

This study sought to clarify the role of after-death communication in resilience in grief. The primary research question guiding this study was: In what way do experiences of after-death communication inform the cultivation of gratitude and compassion as part of the grieving process? For Study 1, measures of grief, continuing bonds, compassion, and gratitude were administered to a diverse demographic pool (N = 329). Bivariate correlational analysis revealed strong correlations among the total scores of the four surveys. Of the 329 participants, 67.2% (n = 221) identified as having experienced after-death communication in some form, while 32.8% (n = 108) claimed that they did not. A series of one-way ANOVAs revealed that those identifying as having after-death communication and a spiritual practice showed significantly higher scores on all measures. Study 2 was a grounded theory study that conducted interviews with people claiming a significant after-death communication experience (N = 44). Results supported the survey data, suggesting that after-death communication was a catalyst and facilitator of grief that enhanced spirituality, shifted or enhanced belief structures, and reduced death anxiety. Conclusions support the recognition of after-death communication as a possible vehicle for enhanced grief resilience and spirituality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grief Care: Religion and Spiritual Support in Times of Loss)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shamanic Imagery and Ritual Experience: An Empirical Study of Emotions, Beliefs, and States of Consciousness

by Hang Sun and Eunyoung Kim

Religions 2025, 16(7), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070893 - 11 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the practical effects of symbolic imagery on shamanic religious rituals, emotional modulation, belief deepening, and alterations in the state of consciousness. Thirty participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group for [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the practical effects of symbolic imagery on shamanic religious rituals, emotional modulation, belief deepening, and alterations in the state of consciousness. Thirty participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group for comparative investigation. The results indicated that participants in the experimental group showed significant increases in supernatural belief scores after the ritual, along with notable decreases in negative emotions such as tension, anger, and fatigue. Additionally, the state of consciousness of both groups of participants changed significantly after the ceremony, and the changes in the experimental group were more significant. These findings provide preliminary empirical support for the hypothesis that shamanic symbolic imagery promotes the transformation of consciousness, and affects emotion regulation and belief formation by activating visual perception and symbolic psychological mechanisms. This study not only provides preliminary empirical evidence for the effectiveness of image-based interventions in inducing altered states of consciousness (ASC), but also deepens the understanding of the role of religious symbolic mechanisms in consciousness transformation and provides a new theoretical direction for applied research in the field of religious psychology and consciousness research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Ritual, and Healing)

12 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fate or Free Will? The Reception of Greek Religion in Jean Cocteau’s La Machine Infernale (1934)

by Elisabeth Kruse

Religions 2025, 16(7), 892; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070892 - 11 Jul 2025

Abstract

In the present article we propose to analyse the link between Greek religion and philosophical concepts of the human condition as a problem of reconciling determinism and at the same time free will, with its existential and moral implications. This issue has remained [...] Read more.

In the present article we propose to analyse the link between Greek religion and philosophical concepts of the human condition as a problem of reconciling determinism and at the same time free will, with its existential and moral implications. This issue has remained a matter of revision and discussion throughout the ages and latitudes within philosophy, but also in the literature, where through myths, these questions reappear, although in very different historical and religious contexts. We propose to approach these themes through the myth of Oedipus, immortalised by Sophocles in his tragedy Oedipus Rex, which Jean Cocteau, in the tragic interwar period, rereads and resemanticises, but without losing the essential question of whether there is an insurmountable destiny that imposes itself on free will. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)

57 pages, 7304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alexandre de la Charme’s Chinese–Manchu Treatise Xingli zhenquan tigang (Sing lii jen ciyan bithei hešen) in the Early Entangled History of Christian, Neo-Confucian, and Manchu Shamanic Thought and Spirituality as Well as Early Sinology

by David Bartosch

Religions 2025, 16(7), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070891 - 11 Jul 2025

Abstract

The work Xingli zhenquan tigang (Sing lii jen ciyan bithei hešen) was written in Chinese and Manchu by the French Jesuit Alexandre de la Charme (1695–1767) and published in Beijing in 1753. The first two sections of this paper provide an [...] Read more.

The work Xingli zhenquan tigang (Sing lii jen ciyan bithei hešen) was written in Chinese and Manchu by the French Jesuit Alexandre de la Charme (1695–1767) and published in Beijing in 1753. The first two sections of this paper provide an introduction to de la Charme’s work biography and to further textual and historical contexts, explore the peculiarities of the subsequent early German reception of the work almost 90 years later, and introduce the content from an overview perspective. The third section explores the most essential contents of Book 1 (of 3) of the Manchu version. The investigation is based on Hans Conon von der Gabelentz’s (1807–1874) German translation from 1840. Camouflaged as a Confucian educational dialogue, and by blurring his true identity in his publication, de la Charme criticizes Neo-Confucian positions from an implicitly Cartesian and hidden Christian perspective, tacitly blending Cartesian views with traditional Chinese concepts. In addition, he alludes to Manchu shamanic views in the same regard. De la Charme’s assimilating rhetoric “triangulation” of three different cultural and linguistic horizons of thought and spirituality proves that later Jesuit scholarship reached out into the inherent ethnic and spiritual diversity of the Qing intellectual and political elites. Hidden allusions to Descartes’s dualistic concepts of res cogitans and res extensa implicitly anticipate the beginnings of China’s intellectual modernization period one and a half centuries later. This work also provides an example of how the exchange of intellectual and religious elements persisted despite the Rites Controversy and demonstrates how the fading Jesuit mission influenced early German sinology. I believe that this previously underexplored work is significant in both systematic and historical respects. It is particularly relevant in the context of current comparative research fields, as well as transcultural and interreligious intellectual dialogue in East Asia and around the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious and Theological Interactions in East Asia: Issues, Channels and Impact)

23 pages, 2437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elaborating Correlation with Space–Time in the Daoist Body: Following and Reversing Nature

by Jihyun Kim

Religions 2025, 16(7), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070890 - 11 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines Daoist ritual and meditative practices, primarily developed between the fourth and twelft centuries, as cosmotechniques: methods for engaging, recalibrating, and occasionally overturning the spatial and temporal order. It first outlines the cosmological framework of the pre-Qin and Qin–Han periods, in [...] Read more.

This article examines Daoist ritual and meditative practices, primarily developed between the fourth and twelft centuries, as cosmotechniques: methods for engaging, recalibrating, and occasionally overturning the spatial and temporal order. It first outlines the cosmological framework of the pre-Qin and Qin–Han periods, in which space and time were conceived as correlative and qualitative, forming the grounds of Daoist practice. Daoist foundational practices elaborately aligned with this framework but also introduced subtle disruptions that discover the singular space–time for transformation. Through the investigation of bodily cultivation and communal rituals, this study argues for attention to the performative aspect of Daoist practices, aiming to access and enact alternative space–time, and suggesting a dynamic interplay between alignment and disruption. The study further analyzes internal alchemy and visionary practices that engage in radical reversals of natural rhythms—employing fire, dissolution, and systemic negation to reconfigure cosmic flow. As shown here, Daoist practice is not merely contemplative but performative, reconstituting space–time and body. Though not articulated in ecological terms, such practices demonstrate ways of modeling and modulating lifeworlds attuned to the rhythms of nature—pointing to the possibility of reshaping life under unplugged conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling Lifeworlds on the Rhythms of Nature: Perspectives on Daoism and Ecology in East Asia)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Mediators’ Religiosity and Work Ethic: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Court Mediators in Poland

by Stanisław Fel, Katarzyna Lenart-Kłoś, Rafał Boguszewski and Magdalena Grudziecka

Religions 2025, 16(7), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070889 - 11 Jul 2025

Abstract

The paper aims to determine the associations of mediators’ religiosity, assessed as self-reported religious belief and religious practice frequency, with their recognition of the existence of a work ethic of mediators, their personal approach to the occupation, their values, their adherence to the [...] Read more.

The paper aims to determine the associations of mediators’ religiosity, assessed as self-reported religious belief and religious practice frequency, with their recognition of the existence of a work ethic of mediators, their personal approach to the occupation, their values, their adherence to the rules of mediation, and their perception of its objectives. The article is based on the results of a quantitative study conducted among Polish court mediators (n = 391). It was found that the mediators who were religious believers and regularly practiced their religion were more often convinced about the existence of a work ethic, treated work in their occupation as an opportunity to help people, and remained neutral in disputes, but they were also more inclined to violate the principle of impartiality by being prepared to conduct mediation in their friends or family members’ cases. Our research on mediators’ work ethic may be useful in raising the standards of mediator training in specific areas of specialization, including working with migrants and multicultural communities, enhancing the effectiveness of mediations, improving their quality, and boosting the level of disputants’ satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Searching for a Better Life with My Community”: Migratory Trends in Religious-Based Social Net-Works)

16 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Jerome and Florus

by Nunzio Bianchi

Religions 2025, 16(7), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070888 - 11 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper explores the presence of Florus in Jerome’s works, with particular focus on the Vitae monachorum. Scholars of the Vita Pauli and Vita Malchi have identified passages where Jerome would employ words or expressions from Florus (no such evidence appears in [...] Read more.

This paper explores the presence of Florus in Jerome’s works, with particular focus on the Vitae monachorum. Scholars of the Vita Pauli and Vita Malchi have identified passages where Jerome would employ words or expressions from Florus (no such evidence appears in the Vita Hilarionis). The significance of these lexical borrowings is assessed here. Jerome’s knowledge extends not only to Florus’ Epitome, but also to the fragmentary treatise Vergilius orator an poeta (whose attribution to the same Florus remains debated). If intertextual analysis allows for the investigation of an author’s engagement with another one, there are indications that Jerome may have been familiar with this text as well. This paper provides a comparative analysis of passages in Jerome and Florus, discussing lexical borrowings, sources, rhetorical features, and individual words and expressions, including those drawn from other authors and works. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interaction of Early Christianity with Classical Literature)

11 pages, 1439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“There’s a Difference Between Staying a Catholic and Being a Catholic”: Gathering Student Voice in Creating a Meaning-Full RE Curriculum for Catholic Schools

by Colin MacLeod

Religions 2025, 16(7), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070887 - 10 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article examines how student voice informed the development of Tō Tātou Whakapono Our Faith, the national Religious Education (RE) curriculum for Catholic schools in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Through student-submitted RE questions and 63 informal Zoom-based “Interschool Catholic Yarns” with over 400 [...] Read more.

This article examines how student voice informed the development of Tō Tātou Whakapono Our Faith, the national Religious Education (RE) curriculum for Catholic schools in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Through student-submitted RE questions and 63 informal Zoom-based “Interschool Catholic Yarns” with over 400 senior students over several years, the National Centre for Religious Studies gathered valuable insights into student experience and expectations. These contributions influenced RE curriculum content, nuance, and priorities. Emphasising accessible engagement with young people, the two outlined approaches align with Catholic commitments to synodality and formation. This article demonstrates that engaging student voice is both possible and necessary in designing RE that is meaningful, faithful, and grounded. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engaging Religious Plurality within Australian and New Zealand Catholic Schools: Particularity in Dialogue with Diversity)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health Clinical Pastoral Education—A Specialized CPE Program

by Angelika A. Zollfrank, Caroline C. Kaufman and David H. Rosmarin

Religions 2025, 16(7), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070886 - 10 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article describes the design and implementation of a Specialized Mental Health Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for clergy and theological students of all spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Addressing the need for mental health competencies in religious leaders and chaplains, this training [...] Read more.

This article describes the design and implementation of a Specialized Mental Health Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for clergy and theological students of all spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Addressing the need for mental health competencies in religious leaders and chaplains, this training equips participants with specialized skills in individual and group mental health spiritual assessment and spiritual care. Program participants become effective members of a multiprofessional team, gain knowledge of mental health philosophies of concordant and discordant spiritual orienting systems, and gain greater relational capacity. The Mental Health CPE Program includes traditional and novel CPE elements: (1) clinical practice, (2) group and individual supervision, (3) didactic presentations and journal clubs, (4) verbatim (Protocols of patient encounters) and case presentations, (5) group leadership training and practica, and (6) experience of faith reflections. This article provides insights into the origins of CPE, a description of the implementation in a free-standing psychiatric hospital, and observed developmental changes of program participants. We include graduates’ anecdotal feedback about their learning experience and its impact on their leadership in chaplaincy and in religious communities. Additionally, we report on areas for future development and further study of the effectiveness of Mental Health CPE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spirituality as Core to Mental Health and Wellbeing; Cultivating Awareness in Interventions)

13 pages, 472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Lack of Agency: Artificial Intelligence Has So Far Shown Little Potential for Church Innovation—An Exploratory Interview Study with Protestant and Catholic Leaders in Germany

by Ilona Nord and Leon Schleier

Religions 2025, 16(7), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070885 - 10 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in religious leadership in Germany, focusing on the interplay between technological innovation, theological principles, and human interaction. Drawing on qualitative methods, 23 Christian leaders and experts were interviewed to examine their perceptions, assessments, and [...] Read more.

This study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in religious leadership in Germany, focusing on the interplay between technological innovation, theological principles, and human interaction. Drawing on qualitative methods, 23 Christian leaders and experts were interviewed to examine their perceptions, assessments, and potential applications of AI and related technologies in their work, alongside ethical and theological considerations. The findings reveal a prevailing ambivalence towards AI: while it is generally accepted as a tool for administrative tasks, its use in pastoral contexts encounters resistance due to ethical concerns and theological tensions. Despite predominantly neutral to positive attitudes, many leaders lack proactive engagement in exploring AI’s transformative potential—pointing to a marked lack of agency. Digital competence among leaders emerges as a significant factor influencing the openness to AI adoption. This study identifies key barriers to the integration of AI into religious practice and underscores the need for strategic education and planning. It advocates for a balanced approach to leveraging AI in ways that align with religious values while embracing innovation in a digitalizing society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Institutional Innovation and Tradition: Understanding Changes and Continuities in Religious Leadership, Communication, and Technology Ethics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

6 pages, 184 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Introducing the Special Issue “Situating Religious Cognition”

by Timothy Stanley

Religions 2025, 16(7), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070884 - 10 Jul 2025

Abstract

This Special Issue began as a call to evaluate religious media as examples of situated cognition [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Situating Religious Cognition)

27 pages, 5308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Religious Healing in the Modern World: Faith, Culture, and Social Dynamics

by Figen Balamir and Selman Yılmaz

Religions 2025, 16(7), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070883 - 9 Jul 2025

Abstract

Physical and mental health are fundamental human needs, yet modern medicine cannot always preserve them. At this point, alternative and complementary medical approaches sometimes offer significant contributions. In this context, religious healing stands out as a practice that plays a complementary role in [...] Read more.

Physical and mental health are fundamental human needs, yet modern medicine cannot always preserve them. At this point, alternative and complementary medical approaches sometimes offer significant contributions. In this context, religious healing stands out as a practice that plays a complementary role in many cultures and is frequently relied on, although it often faces criticism from the perspective of official religious doctrine. This study examines the phenomenon of “religious healing” from a sociological perspective. The provinces of Iğdır, Ağrı, and Erzurum, located in eastern Türkiye, were selected for the fieldwork. Interviews were conducted with 31 individuals who sought religious healing. The main purpose of this article is to understand the motivations of individuals who participate in such practices and how their healing experiences are transformed into religious experiences. The field data indicate that religious healing commonly involves practices such as recitation and blowing of the Qur’an, drinking blessed water, and the preparation of amulets. Feelings of helplessness and fear of social stigma are prominent in participants’ reasons for resorting to religious healers. The participants’ turn to healers can be seen as a defense mechanism, shifting blame to external forces like the evil eye, jinn, and magic, thereby reducing personal responsibility. Religion was instrumentalized to make the behavior of applying to a healer reasonable and acceptable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Islamic Practical Theology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 217 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Religious Belief and Metaphysics

by Hugo Strandberg

Religions 2025, 16(7), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070882 - 9 Jul 2025

Abstract

When Wittgenstein (2009, § 116) writes that “[w]hat we do is to bring words back from their metaphysical to their everyday use”, many will presumably read this is an anti-religious statement. According to the everyday use of the word “metaphysical”, religion is metaphysical, [...] Read more.

When Wittgenstein (2009, § 116) writes that “[w]hat we do is to bring words back from their metaphysical to their everyday use”, many will presumably read this is an anti-religious statement. According to the everyday use of the word “metaphysical”, religion is metaphysical, one would then argue. However, the target of Wittgensteinian investigations is language “on holiday” (2009, § 38), that is, when language does not do any job. This explains why Wittgenstein can claim that philosophy “leaves everything as it is” (2009, § 124): removing “a wheel that can be turned though nothing else moves with it” means removing something that is “not part of the mechanism” and therefore does not change the mechanism (2009, § 271). In other words, “metaphysics” does here not stand for a specific subject matter, such as religion. But what does it mean that something is “not part of the mechanism”? How does one show that something is not? Is it possible that religion is an instance of language on holiday? These questions are far more complex than they may seem at first, and the answer to the last question is not a general one—ultimately, it has to be answered in the first person. How do these difficulties manifest themselves? After a methodological discussion of the above points (sec. 1), two sections (2–3) discuss two examples of contexts in which these difficulties come into view. The discussions of these two examples thus aim to clarify what the distinction between the metaphysical and the non-metaphysical amounts to in two specific cases. In particular, the difference between a relation to a belief and to a person is highlighted. Paying attention to this difference is one way of getting out of the difficult constellation of religious belief and metaphysics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)

16 pages, 268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Queer Migration in Catholic Countries of Central and Eastern Europe: An Unexplored Topic

by Milda Ališauskienė, Halina Grzymala-Mosczynska, Jacek Prusak and Siniša Zrinščak

Religions 2025, 16(7), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070881 - 9 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper explores the under-researched phenomenon of queer migration in Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland—three post-communist, Catholic-majority countries. Drawing on existing studies in the literature and empirical data, it examines how prevailing social conservatism—shaped by the influence of Catholicism and the distinct developmental trajectories [...] Read more.

This paper explores the under-researched phenomenon of queer migration in Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland—three post-communist, Catholic-majority countries. Drawing on existing studies in the literature and empirical data, it examines how prevailing social conservatism—shaped by the influence of Catholicism and the distinct developmental trajectories of these countries—is reflected in research on queer migration. Although limited, the current body of knowledge confirms that concerns over LGBTQIA+ rights are a factor motivating emigration. The three examples illustrate how queer migration must be analyzed within the complex interplay between Europeanization and liberalization, and the backlash against these processes. This backlash, prominently supported by the Catholic Church, includes resistance to gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights. By critically engaging with existing research, the paper underscores the need for future studies—particularly those investigating the gap between legal protections and prevailing social attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, the relationship between human rights backlashes and queer migration, the intersections between spatial context and personal biographies, and the connection between the queer migration and recent immigration waves in these countries. Full article

13 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Journey of Youth Religiosity: From Socialisation in Uncertainty to the New Forms of Fulfilment

by Pablo Echeverría Esparza, Enrique Carretero Pasín and Celso Sánchez Capdequi

Religions 2025, 16(7), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070880 - 9 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper analyses the religious experience of young people in contexts of digitalisation. The secularisation thesis has not been imposed. Youth, who are more open to the porosity of social and cultural boundaries, live outside of dogma and the church, with the signs [...] Read more.

This paper analyses the religious experience of young people in contexts of digitalisation. The secularisation thesis has not been imposed. Youth, who are more open to the porosity of social and cultural boundaries, live outside of dogma and the church, with the signs of transcendence as a fundamental part of their personal narrative. Religiosity, a contingent temporality, and youth socialised in the unknown lay the foundations for this reflection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functions of Religion Among Young People: Diverse Religious, Spiritual and Non-Religious Worldviews)

19 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Political Discourse and Theological Challenges of Korean Conservative Christianity

by Minseok Kim

Religions 2025, 16(7), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070879 - 8 Jul 2025

Viewed by 47

Abstract

This paper examines the political discourse of South Korean conservative Christianity, focusing on its alignment with far-right ideologies that undermine both democratic norms and the theological integrity of faith. Triggered by recent constitutional crises involving former President Suk-yeol Yoon, far-right Protestant groups have [...] Read more.

This paper examines the political discourse of South Korean conservative Christianity, focusing on its alignment with far-right ideologies that undermine both democratic norms and the theological integrity of faith. Triggered by recent constitutional crises involving former President Suk-yeol Yoon, far-right Protestant groups have engaged in mobilisations marked by hate speech, disinformation, and theological politicisation. Drawing upon Heinrich Bedford-Strohm’s model of public theology, the study critiques this trend and argues for a reconfiguration of Christian public engagement toward justice, inclusion, and rational dialogue. It further explores the blurred boundaries between conservative and far-right Christian movements, the distortion of the public sphere, and the impact of digital misinformation. Ultimately, the paper proposes a theological and ethical roadmap for restoring the credibility of Christianity in South Korea’s pluralistic democracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Faith in Action: Examining the Power and Purpose of a Public Theology in Contemporary Society)

20 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“.____________.” Taking Wittgenstein’s Prayers Seriously

by Urszula Idziak-Smoczyńska

Religions 2025, 16(7), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070878 - 8 Jul 2025

Viewed by 37

Abstract

This article examines Wittgenstein’s wartime private notebooks (MS 101–103), shifting attention from his philosophical reflections on religion and prayer to the abundance of written addresses to God found within the coded sections. Wittgenstein’s well-known assertion that “to pray means to think about the [...] Read more.

This article examines Wittgenstein’s wartime private notebooks (MS 101–103), shifting attention from his philosophical reflections on religion and prayer to the abundance of written addresses to God found within the coded sections. Wittgenstein’s well-known assertion that “to pray means to think about the meaning of life” is juxtaposed with direct invocations of God and the Spirit, including the Pater Noster and prayers for courage and submission to the divine will. These invocations, accompanied by strokes or varied long em dashes framed by dots or exclamation marks which Martin Pilch has hypothesized to be symbolic representations of prayers—invite further reflection. Wittgenstein’s religious utterances are not merely outpourings of anguish, but manifestations of a sustained effort to align both life and work with the will of God, and to offer them for His glory. A compelling illustration of this spiritual orientation appears in M. O’C. Drury’s recollection of Wittgenstein’s declaration that his only wish was for his work to conform to the divine will. The interplay between philosophical inquiry and prayer evokes the Confessions of Saint Augustine, a spirit present throughout Wittgenstein’s work. Augustine’s integration of prayer and confession has similarly inspired 20th-century thinkers such as Jacques Derrida and Jean-François Lyotard. These Augustinian traces challenge conventional understandings of language and its limits, as well as the role of written language and punctuation, demanding a profound hermeneutics of the philosopher’s prayer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)

16 pages, 230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In the Presence of the Guru: Listening to Danzanravjaa’s Teaching Through His Poetic Voice

by Simon Wickhamsmith

Religions 2025, 16(7), 877; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070877 - 7 Jul 2025

Viewed by 163

Abstract

Vajrayāna teaching places the guru outside space and time, while simultaneously manifest in the teacher’s physical body. Those who regard Danzanravjaa primarily as a Buddhist teacher even today have his poems as a potent source of his teaching and consequently as a catalyst [...] Read more.

Vajrayāna teaching places the guru outside space and time, while simultaneously manifest in the teacher’s physical body. Those who regard Danzanravjaa primarily as a Buddhist teacher even today have his poems as a potent source of his teaching and consequently as a catalyst for their own spiritual development. But what can we hear across two centuries, and how can we actively listen to his religious teaching through his singular, aphoristic, and complex poetics? And to what extent can we understand today his nomadic perspective on Buddhist teaching in order better to understand the particular nature of Mongolian Buddhism? This paper will examine Danzanravjaa’s poetry in both Mongolian and Tibetan through the intertwining outer, inner, and secret levels of Tibeto-Mongolian Vajrayāna Buddhism, listening to how his poetic language and down-to-earth themes might have spoken to his contemporaries, as well as how they might speak to us today. In doing so, it presents Danzanravjaa’s poetry in a different light—not in terms of nineteenth century literature but as actionable spiritual wisdom from a teacher who, like any other, presents his own direct apprehension of Buddha nature in a challenging, personal style. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tibet-Mongol Buddhism Studies)

2 pages, 131 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Lee (2025). Integrating Circular Economy and Laudato Si’: A Christian Framework for Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship. Religions 16: 326

by Yong-Gil Lee

Religions 2025, 16(7), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070876 - 7 Jul 2025

Viewed by 72

Abstract

There was an error in the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Crisis and Religions/Spirituality)

23 pages, 12935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chinese Muslims and Religious Encounters in the “Chinatown” of Dakar, Senegal

by Zheyuan Deng

Religions 2025, 16(7), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070875 - 6 Jul 2025

Viewed by 566

Abstract

This paper investigates religious encounters between Chinese and Senegalese Muslims in the relatively new Chinatown of Dakar. Chinese Muslims from Kaifeng City, Henan Province first arrived in Senegal in the 1990s following the Henan provincial state-owned construction company. They started a wholesale business [...] Read more.

This paper investigates religious encounters between Chinese and Senegalese Muslims in the relatively new Chinatown of Dakar. Chinese Muslims from Kaifeng City, Henan Province first arrived in Senegal in the 1990s following the Henan provincial state-owned construction company. They started a wholesale business mainly of clothing and shoes and brought their relatives and family members to Dakar. However, scholars studying the Chinese community in Dakar have largely ignored their Muslim identity and its significance. Moving beyond the conventional focus on tensions between Muslim and Chinese identities in the study of overseas Chinese Muslims, this paper turns to religious encounters in everyday life. Based on field research and interviews both in Dakar and Henan, this paper argues that for these Chinese Muslim businesspersons in Dakar, Islam as a shared religious identity sometimes provides opportunities to connect with their fellow Muslims in a foreign country. However, differences in religious practices can also lead to misconceptions between them and other Senegalese Muslims. This paper thus contributes to Islamic studies and the study of global China, particularly in relation to overseas Chinese Muslims, China–Africa encounters, and global Chinatowns. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fate and Freedom in Ancient Stoicism and Augustine’s Critique

by Rosario Neuman Lorenzini, Sergi Grau Guijarro and Miguel Ángel Belmonte

Religions 2025, 16(7), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070874 - 5 Jul 2025

Viewed by 246

Abstract

This article is divided into three parts. First, a brief exposition of the ontological foundations of ancient determinism is provided to explain the worldview held by such a philosophical position. The second part sets out the argument used by Chrysippus to make causal [...] Read more.

This article is divided into three parts. First, a brief exposition of the ontological foundations of ancient determinism is provided to explain the worldview held by such a philosophical position. The second part sets out the argument used by Chrysippus to make causal determinism compatible with moral responsibility, and points out the tensions that such a position entails. In the third part, the notion of freedom of ancient Stoicism is contrasted with the philosophy of Augustine in order to determine the novelty that Christianity represented in this matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate in Ancient Greek Philosophy and Religion)

13 pages, 320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asterius of Amaseia Between Libanius and John Chrysostom on the Kalends of January

by Maria Veronese

Religions 2025, 16(7), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070873 - 5 Jul 2025

Viewed by 181

Abstract

This article examines Asterius of Amaseia’s Homily 4 on the Kalends of January and compares it with the works of Libanius and John Chrysostom on the same subject. Preached in January 400, Asterius’ sermon takes a distinctive approach, focusing less on condemning pagan [...] Read more.

This article examines Asterius of Amaseia’s Homily 4 on the Kalends of January and compares it with the works of Libanius and John Chrysostom on the same subject. Preached in January 400, Asterius’ sermon takes a distinctive approach, focusing less on condemning pagan aspects and more on criticising immoral behaviour during the festival. The bishop emphasises the economic and non-inclusive nature of the celebration, directly refuting Libanius’ eulogy. Asterius portrays the Kalends as a source of social division and violence, in contrast to Libanius’ portrayal of shared joy. This article suggests that Asterius’ polemic reflects a social conflict rather than a pagan–Christian opposition, presenting the Kalends as a moral problem threatening society, particularly through the corruption of its leaders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interaction of Early Christianity with Classical Literature)

17 pages, 241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Protection of Religious Freedom in the Polish Penitentiary System: Between Tradition, Pluralism, and Secularization

by Michał Zawiślak

Religions 2025, 16(7), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070872 - 4 Jul 2025

Viewed by 159

Abstract

This study examines the exercise of religious freedom within the Polish penitentiary system, focusing on the intersection of legal frameworks, religious pluralism, and secularization. While Poland’s Constitution and penal legislation guarantee inmates the right to practice their faith, the practical implementation of this [...] Read more.

This study examines the exercise of religious freedom within the Polish penitentiary system, focusing on the intersection of legal frameworks, religious pluralism, and secularization. While Poland’s Constitution and penal legislation guarantee inmates the right to practice their faith, the practical implementation of this right faces systemic challenges. This research draws on legal analysis, demographic data, and existing empirical studies to assess how pastoral care operates in prisons. The findings reveal that although the prison system is formally open to various denominations, access to non-Catholic chaplaincy is often limited and misaligned with the evolving religious composition of the inmate population, especially following increased immigration. The number of chaplains and volunteers remains low relative to the needs of inmates, and pastoral services vary widely across regions. Despite these issues, religious involvement is shown to support rehabilitation by fostering moral development and reducing recidivism. This study concludes that a more inclusive, pluralistic, and flexible approach to prison ministry—one that accounts for both declining religiosity and growing diversity—is essential. Chaplaincy must adapt not only as a provider of religious rites but also as a facilitator of ethical reflection, emotional support, and reintegration into a secular and pluralistic society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion and Prison: Practices, Actors, Spaces, and Challenges of Pluralism)

14 pages, 214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Scopes Trial and Its Long Shadow

by David H. Nikkel

Religions 2025, 16(7), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070871 - 4 Jul 2025

Viewed by 162

Abstract

With the centennial this year of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, this article examines the antagonistic relationship between American Christian fundamentalism and science, particularly evolution and other scientific knowledge challenging literal biblical interpretation. While the trial itself spanned only eleven days, its shadow has [...] Read more.

With the centennial this year of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, this article examines the antagonistic relationship between American Christian fundamentalism and science, particularly evolution and other scientific knowledge challenging literal biblical interpretation. While the trial itself spanned only eleven days, its shadow has been quite long indeed. The article analyzes the background of the trial, fundamentalism then and now—including a later doubling down, contesting interpretations of the trial’s outcome, misremembrances and revisionism in the historical appropriations of the trial, and developments in evolutionary theory relevant to religion. In the process of these analyses, the article evidences the relationships of the Scopes trial on evolution and religion to law, politics, secondary and higher education, and communications and media. Finally, the article highlights past opportunities missed and lessons to be learned that might lessen conflict between religion and science in the future. Full article

13 pages, 224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On Atheistic Hinges

by Thomas D. Carroll

Religions 2025, 16(7), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070870 - 4 Jul 2025

Viewed by 115

Abstract

Over the last couple of decades, philosophers have been drawing on ideas from Wittgenstein’s late work On Certainty in developing an approach to epistemology known as “hinge epistemology.” Hinge epistemology has been of particular interest to philosophers of religion because it considers the [...] Read more.

Over the last couple of decades, philosophers have been drawing on ideas from Wittgenstein’s late work On Certainty in developing an approach to epistemology known as “hinge epistemology.” Hinge epistemology has been of particular interest to philosophers of religion because it considers the role that deep commitments to particular propositions may have within epistemic life, arguably mirroring what is seen in some religious traditions. The issue that motivates the present article is whether or to what extent it is helpful to think of forms of atheism as being grounded in hinge commitments. After considering various forms of atheism, this article advances the view that there are some forms of atheism that do exhibit core grounding commitments that may be helpfully interpreted as hinges. In developing this argument, the article considers two case studies of apparent atheistic hinges: the “secular faith” of Martin Hägglund and expressions of atheism one may find in contemporary Chinese society. While many atheistic beliefs are contingent upon still more fundamental epistemic commitments, some forms of atheism may be held strongly or with such a sense of import that interpretation by means of the notion of hinge commitment will be illuminating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)

17 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into Public Theology: Towards Contextualized Theological Engagement in Southern Africa

by Patrick Nanthambwe

Religions 2025, 16(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070869 - 4 Jul 2025

Viewed by 189

Abstract

The call to decolonize South African university curricula continues to shape academic discourse, highlighting the urgency of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into theological education. While Western epistemologies have long dominated theology in Africa, this article argues for a paradigm shift by [...] Read more.

The call to decolonize South African university curricula continues to shape academic discourse, highlighting the urgency of integrating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKSs) into theological education. While Western epistemologies have long dominated theology in Africa, this article argues for a paradigm shift by positioning public theology as a viable framework for engaging AIKS in meaningful and transformative ways. The article examines how AIKSs—expressed through oral traditions, communal spiritualities, and indigenous ethics—can enrich theological discourse, enhance contextual relevance, and address issues such as social justice, identity, and community cohesion. Drawing on the decoloniality discourse, this study critically explores the epistemological, institutional, and pedagogical challenges hindering integration and proposes concrete strategies including curriculum reform, faculty training, and community-based theological formation. The article contributes to the decolonization of theological education by offering a context-specific framework that repositions AIKSs as legitimate theological resources. In doing so, it advances a model of public theology that is inclusive, rooted in African realities, and responsive to the transformative needs of Southern African societies. Full article

19 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paradigms, Terminology, and Exegesis: Toward the Nonsupersessionist Reading of the New Testament

by Henri Louis Goulet

Religions 2025, 16(7), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070868 - 4 Jul 2025

Viewed by 567

Abstract

Interpretation of the New Testament (NT) in general and the Pauline corpus in particular still appears to be at a crossroads. Scholars continue to publish articles and monographs in binary opposition to one another. The terminology used to designate the overarching perspectives of [...] Read more.

Interpretation of the New Testament (NT) in general and the Pauline corpus in particular still appears to be at a crossroads. Scholars continue to publish articles and monographs in binary opposition to one another. The terminology used to designate the overarching perspectives of these binary publications sharply contrasts a “traditional” perspective (Protestant in general, and Lutheran in particular) with a variously named “new” or “radical new” perspective. Most recently, beyond the imprecise “new” terminology, the non-traditional perspective is being referred to as the “post-supersessionist”, “nonsupersessionist”, or “within Judaism” perspective and is still strongly being contested. Historically speaking, these antithetical perspectives cannot both be completely correct. Arguably, then, the time has come to explore what the study of Kuhnian paradigms might reveal about this state of affairs in NT scholarship. Most important, in proffering a twofold hermeneutical way forward that is focused on better understanding the emic perspective of the texts that we interpret—to the extent humanly possible—it is hoped that we might become more keenly aware of the ethical implications of our paradigms, terminology, and exegesis for those who rely on our work for their understanding and appropriation of the Scriptures in their everyday living. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reading New Testament Writings through Non-supersessionist Lenses)

19 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Twentieth-Century Changes in Catholic Liturgy and the Place of Truth in Religious Culture: A Discussion with Chantal Delsol

by Tomasz Dekert

Religions 2025, 16(7), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070867 - 3 Jul 2025

Viewed by 371

Abstract

This article explores the transformative changes in Catholic liturgy during the twentieth century and their implications for the stability of religious meaning and cultural identity in the West. In critical dialogue with Chantal Delsol’s diagnosis of the decline of Christianitas, this study [...] Read more.

This article explores the transformative changes in Catholic liturgy during the twentieth century and their implications for the stability of religious meaning and cultural identity in the West. In critical dialogue with Chantal Delsol’s diagnosis of the decline of Christianitas, this study argues that the reform of ritual following the Second Vatican Council, rather than political entanglements, played a decisive role in weakening the public credibility of Catholic truth claims. Drawing on Roy A. Rappaport’s theory of ritual as a stabilizer of cultural meaning, the author analyzes how this postconciliar liturgical reform altered the semiotic structure of Catholic worship—shifting communication from indexical to symbolic forms and reorienting the liturgy from a vertical–concentric order to a more decentralized horizontal dynamic. The chosen method combines theoretical reflection with liturgical anthropology to assess how changes in the Roman Missal, ritual posture, and spatial arrangement disrupted the transmission of canonical messages. The conclusion suggests that this semiotic transformation undermined the liturgy’s capacity to ritually confirm the truths of faith, contributing to the broader civilizational disintegration observed by Delsol. Ultimately, this article contends that any future revitalization of Catholic culture will depend less on political influence and more on recovering the liturgy’s ritual capacity to sustain belief in transcendent truth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Humanities/Philosophies)

15 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Theologies of Money: Religious Leaders’ Use of Stewardship, Its Strengths, and Limitations

by David P. King, Mark Sampson and Brad R. Fulton

Religions 2025, 16(7), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070866 - 3 Jul 2025

Viewed by 236

Abstract

Questions of finance and economic models are vital for congregational leaders to consider, but they are too often overlooked in research and practice. While we argue that the explicit attention to budgets and balance sheets should be a focus of both congregational researchers [...] Read more.

Questions of finance and economic models are vital for congregational leaders to consider, but they are too often overlooked in research and practice. While we argue that the explicit attention to budgets and balance sheets should be a focus of both congregational researchers and religious leaders, we would also argue that these topics are embedded in congregational life as practices and cultures of giving that are likewise rooted in theologies of money. To examine the theologies of money religious leaders rely on in shaping their views of receiving, managing, and spending resources, our study analyzes the qualitative data of 82 clergy interviews from the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices (NSCEP). We find that the language of “stewardship” continues to dominate, and we consider how this language has both shaped and masked congregations’ current and future engagement with money matters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Congregational Engagement and Leadership)

12 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba: Historical and Theological Issues in the First Book of Kings and in the Paintings of Piero della Francesca

by Emanuelle Pastore and Laura de Fuccia Lederer

Religions 2025, 16(7), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070865 - 3 Jul 2025

Viewed by 192

Abstract

The first book of Kings succinctly evokes—in only thirteen verses—the mysterious figure of a queen who came from the distant land of Sheba to test Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kgs 10.1–13). Who would have predicted that this modest episode celebrating the glory of the [...] Read more.

The first book of Kings succinctly evokes—in only thirteen verses—the mysterious figure of a queen who came from the distant land of Sheba to test Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kgs 10.1–13). Who would have predicted that this modest episode celebrating the glory of the ancient kings of Jerusalem would be so popular? The episode has spread far beyond the boundaries of the two Testaments, notably in painting. Piero della Francesca’s fresco cycle in Arezzo is a fine example in this respect. Inspired by the Golden Legend, the Florentine painter recreates the scenes of the discovery of the true Cross. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba meet against the backdrop of the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Whether intra- or extra-biblical, ancient or modern, rereading of the original episode reveals issues that are as much historical as they are theological. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interpreting the Bible: Re-Reading Texts, Characters, and Images from Scripture)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Religions, Volume 16, Issue 7 (July 2025) – 90 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI