Religions

15 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Professional and Personal Well-Being Among Members of a Christian Organization for Healthcare Providers: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Stephanie L. Harris, Ted Hamilton, Hong Tao and Carla Gober Park

Religions 2025, 16(6), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060710 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2025

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the aspects of religion and spirituality among those who belong to an organization for Christian healthcare providers that may contribute to personal and professional well-being and protect against burnout. Participants: Members and affiliates of the Christian Medical and Dental [...] Read more.

Objectives: To determine the aspects of religion and spirituality among those who belong to an organization for Christian healthcare providers that may contribute to personal and professional well-being and protect against burnout. Participants: Members and affiliates of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (n = 450). Study Method: A cross-sectional study based on survey results of validated instruments and original questions that measured aspects of faith, professional fulfillment, personal fulfillment, and mental health. Findings: This sample of Christian healthcare providers experienced lower rates of burnout than the general population of healthcare providers. Personal aspects of religion and spirituality were negatively associated with anxiety and depression and positively associated with personal flourishing. Conclusions: Calling, virtues, and belonging are possible attributes of Christian faith that are associated with well-being and may be protective against burnout and mental health conditions. Future research can explore these findings among providers of other faith traditions. Full article

17 pages, 807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Functional Imperative: The Practical Role of Christian Angelic Beliefs in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

by He Sun

Religions 2025, 16(6), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060709 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2025

Abstract

The introduction of Christian angelology during the Ming and Qing dynasties was driven by strong practical needs. As intermediaries bridging the sacred and the secular, angels were endowed with crucial functions in core sacraments such as baptism and the Mass, including the purification [...] Read more.

The introduction of Christian angelology during the Ming and Qing dynasties was driven by strong practical needs. As intermediaries bridging the sacred and the secular, angels were endowed with crucial functions in core sacraments such as baptism and the Mass, including the purification of sins, protection, and the connection between God and humanity. Their participation in these rituals not only enhanced the sanctity of the ceremonies but also facilitated a dialogue with traditional Chinese spirits. Missionaries deliberately avoided abstract theological discussions about angels, instead emphasizing their role in accompanying and guiding believers in daily life. The concept of “guardian angels” addressed the spiritual needs of believers, while the imagery of angels in funeral rites helped reconstruct expressions of filial piety, thereby mitigating cultural conflicts between China and the West. At the same time, the localized understanding of angels among Chinese Catholics during this period focused on ritual practices and the affirmation of their own identity. The introduction of Christian angels during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with their practical dimensions, facilitated the indigenization process of Catholicism in China and provided new perspectives and pathways for interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chinese Christianity and Knowledge Development)

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20 pages, 490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fe y Politicas: Latino Evangelical Vote Choice in the 2020 Presidential Election

by Jarred R. Cuellar

Religions 2025, 16(6), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060708 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2025

Abstract

This paper investigates the growing political alignment of Latino Evangelicals with the Republican Party, particularly their support for Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Historically, Latino political behavior has been studied with an assumption of religious homogeneity, largely focusing on the Catholic majority. [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the growing political alignment of Latino Evangelicals with the Republican Party, particularly their support for Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Historically, Latino political behavior has been studied with an assumption of religious homogeneity, largely focusing on the Catholic majority. However, the rise of the Latino Evangelical population has coincided with increasing Latino support for the GOP. Former President Obama attributed this shift in support to the growing Evangelical demographic. Building on Chaturvedi’s (2014) work, which found that Evangelical Latinos’ conservative views on issues like same-sex marriage vary by age, this study tests Obama’s assertion using data from the 2020 USC Dornsife Presidential Poll. Logistic regressions show that older Latino Evangelicals were significantly more likely to support Trump, driven by their desire to elect officials who align with their Evangelical policy preferences. The findings explain that the political behavior of older Latino Evangelicals is more strongly related to religious values compared to their younger counterparts. These results highlight the importance of considering religious diversity within Latino politics, pointing to religious identity as a key factor in shaping Latino political behavior and emphasizing the need for further exploration of religious variation in Latino voting patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Traditional and Civil Religions: Theory and Political Practice)

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15 pages, 256 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Political Theology After the End of Metaphysics: A Revision via Jean-Luc Marion’s Critique of Onto-Theology

by Almudena Molina

Religions 2025, 16(6), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060707 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2025

Abstract

This article explores the possibility of conceiving political theology beyond its traditional metaphysical foundations. Starting from Carl Schmitt’s formulation of political theology as a domain rooted in analogical and representational transfers between the theological and the political, and drawing on Jean-Luc Marion’s critique [...] Read more.

This article explores the possibility of conceiving political theology beyond its traditional metaphysical foundations. Starting from Carl Schmitt’s formulation of political theology as a domain rooted in analogical and representational transfers between the theological and the political, and drawing on Jean-Luc Marion’s critique of metaphysical theology, or onto-theology, this paper interrogates the foundational assumptions of Schmitt’s political theology and assesses the viability of a non-metaphysical theo-political discourse. The article has three main aims: to elucidate the representational logic at the core of Schmitt’s political theology; to examine postmetaphysical theo-political discourses in light of Marion’s deconstruction of onto-theology; and to vindicate the legitimacy and coherence of postmodern theological-political approaches. Taking inspiration from Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite’s threefold theological method—affirmation, negation, and eminence—the article argues that contemporary political theology can be reframed accordingly: (1) the path of affirmation aligns with Vatter’s reading of Schmitt; (2) the path of negation resonates with Jacques Derrida’s deconstructive strategy; and (3) the path of eminence finds its expression in Marion’s phenomenology of givenness. Ultimately, this paper contends that Marion’s phenomenological approach opens a productive avenue for reconceiving theo-political discourse; it is argued that the phenomenology of givenness proposed by Marion to surpass the conceptual idols of metaphysics has significant implications for the theo-political field that remain unexplored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Divine and Secular Sovereignty: Interpretations)

19 pages, 1790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contemporary Northeast Chinese Shamanism in the Interaction Between Public Heritage and Private Belief

by Xiaoshuang Liu

Religions 2025, 16(6), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060706 (registering DOI) - 30 May 2025

Abstract

Since China’s accession to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2004, private shamanism, centered around the sacred belief of “connecting heaven and earth”, has for the first time been incorporated into the national heritage management system with [...] Read more.

Since China’s accession to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2004, private shamanism, centered around the sacred belief of “connecting heaven and earth”, has for the first time been incorporated into the national heritage management system with legal legitimacy, becoming regulated public heritage on the condition of avoiding religious attributes. Through fieldwork and historical analysis, this paper examines the interaction between public heritage and private belief in contemporary Northeast Chinese shamanism. The research reveals the mutual influence between the public and private domains of shamanic ritual practices, with a new synthesis or symbiotic relationship emerging across these domains, which is manifested in two main aspects: first, the “generation of the public from the private”, exemplified by the emergence of the public heritage associated with shamanism, and second, the “promotion of the private by the public”, where the sacred private belief expands its existential space with the assistance of newly recognized public heritage. This bidirectional interaction model challenges the conventional notion that “heritagization leads to the decline of faith”, offering a novel interpretive framework for understanding the contemporary transformation of ritual systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion and Politics: Historical Developments and Contemporary Transformations)

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22 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Storytelling as a Method of Supporting Couples in Crisis in the Framework of Religious Community Activities

by Renata Pomarańska

Religions 2025, 16(6), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060705 - 30 May 2025

Abstract

Marital crises are common and can arise at any stage of marriage. When facing difficulties, many spouses seek support from religious communities, which provide spiritual and emotional guidance. These communities play a vital role in marriage preparation and helping couples navigate crises. In [...] Read more.

Marital crises are common and can arise at any stage of marriage. When facing difficulties, many spouses seek support from religious communities, which provide spiritual and emotional guidance. These communities play a vital role in marriage preparation and helping couples navigate crises. In response to rising divorce rates, changing gender roles, and economic pressures, religious communities are adapting their pastoral methods. One innovative approach is storytelling, which allows couples to connect with others’ experiences, helping rebuild trust and understanding in their marriages. This article explores the role of storytelling as a tool for supporting couples in crisis, particularly in the context of religious pastoral care, focusing on its impact on communication, marital bonding, and spiritual growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Theology, and Bioethical Discourses on Marriage and Family)

13 pages, 238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Tradition and the Culture of the Temporary

by Lukasz Borowski and Dariusz Lipiec

Religions 2025, 16(6), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060704 - 30 May 2025

Abstract

Pope Francis calls today’s culture a culture of temporariness. With regard to marriage, it is resulting in a decline in marriages and an increase in divorces. One notices an increasing tension between the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic tradition, which is understood [...] Read more.

Pope Francis calls today’s culture a culture of temporariness. With regard to marriage, it is resulting in a decline in marriages and an increase in divorces. One notices an increasing tension between the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic tradition, which is understood as a lifelong relationship. The purpose of this article is to analyze the meaning and stabilizing role of marriage in the face of these changes. This article consists of four parts. It presents the theological and legal–canonical vision of the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church (1), the manifestations of the culture of temporariness in society and marriage (2), the stability offered by the sacrament of marriage (3), and the strengthening of the stabilizing role of the sacrament of marriage (4). The sources for this research are the teachings of the modern Catholic Church and scientific studies on the sacrament of marriage and the culture of temporality. The monographic method, the method of source analysis, and content analysis were used. The analysis carried out in this article shows that the sacrament of marriage is a kind of sign of opposition to the culture of temporariness. It reminds us of values such as fidelity, responsibility, and generosity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Theologies)

19 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Christian Nationalism Within the Secularized Swedish Public Opinion

by Ebru Öztürk and Katarina Giritli Nygren

Religions 2025, 16(6), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060703 - 30 May 2025

Abstract

This article examines the interplay of religion, nationalism, and identity in contemporary Sweden, focusing on the rising phenomenon of Christian nationalism. Our analysis of editorials and opinion pieces from major Swedish newspapers reveals a significant shift towards a more pronounced Christian influence in [...] Read more.

This article examines the interplay of religion, nationalism, and identity in contemporary Sweden, focusing on the rising phenomenon of Christian nationalism. Our analysis of editorials and opinion pieces from major Swedish newspapers reveals a significant shift towards a more pronounced Christian influence in public discourse, suggesting a renegotiation of the sacred–secular divide. This shift highlights a growing intertwining of religious narratives with national identity, raising questions about whether Sweden should embrace its Christian heritage or maintain religious neutrality and plurality. Our findings indicate that expressions of individual faith emerging in cultural discussions are not merely personal; they also foster organized religion, contributing to the construction of new communal identities. This relocation of the sacred from the private to the public sphere signifies a renewed world-building potential for religion, particularly in urban settings, challenging classical secularization theories. The increasing prominence of Christian perspectives reflects discontent with “secularized Christianity-as-culture”, signaling a desire for a more foundational Christianity. Furthermore, the integration of spheres, where discourse on values and societal crises fosters a renewed demand for religion, leads to a need to reinforce a religious identity which results in a “cultural defense” that effectively supports Christian nationalism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious Nationalism in Global Perspective)

16 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Circulations” and Self-Transcendence: A Comparative Study of Emerson and Zhuangzi

by Meng Jia

Religions 2025, 16(6), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060702 - 29 May 2025

Abstract

In this article, I begin with the topic of “circulations”, conducting a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in Emerson’s and Zhuangzi’s philosophies regarding “circulations” as the mode of cosmic generation and operation, as well as the relationship between “circulations” and self-transcendence. [...] Read more.

In this article, I begin with the topic of “circulations”, conducting a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in Emerson’s and Zhuangzi’s philosophies regarding “circulations” as the mode of cosmic generation and operation, as well as the relationship between “circulations” and self-transcendence. Furthermore, I explore the practical paths to achieve self-transcendence via circulations based on these two aspects. Specifically, both Emerson and Zhuangzi regard “circulations” as the fundamental way of cosmic generation and operation. However, Emerson emphasizes the directionality of “circulations”, where God generates all things through “emanation”, and all things return to God through “ascent”. In contrast, Zhuangzi emphasizes the characteristics of the Dao in generating all things, including its “cyclic repetition” (xun huan wang fu 循环往复) and “creating myriad forms” (zhi qi wan shu 制器万殊). The “Dao” that generates these “circulations” itself does not possess morality or divinity. Both of them believe that individuals can achieve self-transcendence by aligning with “circulations”. Regarding the specific practical paths, Emerson suggests that we can return to God through revelation, specifically via nature, poets, art, and vocation. On the other hand, Zhuangzi believes that we can achieve unity with the Dao by “following the Dao”, specifically through the life-nurturing method of “following the Du as a principle” (yuan du yi wei jing 缘督以为经) and the spiritual cultivation methods of “emptiness of mind-heart and selflessness” (xinzhai 心斋) and “sitting in oblivion” (zuowang 坐忘). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Study of the Concepts of Self-Transcendence, Value and Power in the Works of Emerson and Zhuang Zi)

19 pages, 368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Skill Lead to Self-Transcendence in Zhuangzi?

by Wentao Qi

Religions 2025, 16(6), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060701 - 29 May 2025

Abstract

Many scholars have claimed that the skills depicted by Zhuangzi can lead to self-transcendence of experiencing and attaining the Dao. However, this view is open to question. Based on a comprehensive reading of the received text of Zhuangzi, this paper attempts a [...] Read more.

Many scholars have claimed that the skills depicted by Zhuangzi can lead to self-transcendence of experiencing and attaining the Dao. However, this view is open to question. Based on a comprehensive reading of the received text of Zhuangzi, this paper attempts a comprehensive reinterpretation of its allegories of skills, including “Cook Ding Butchering an Ox”, “The Hunchback Catching Cicadas”, “The Ferryman Handling a Boat”, “The Man of Lüliang Swimming in the Torrent”, “Woodworker Qing Carving a Bell Stand”, “Artisan Chui Drawing Circles with His Fingers”, “Wheelwright Bian Chiseling Wheels”, “Bohun Wuren Demonstrating Archery”, and “The Old Metalworker Forging Weapons”. This study argues that the emphasis of these skill allegories is not on extolling skills but on pointing towards self-transcendence in a metaphorical way. Just as Mark Twain once likened an apple peel to the Mississippi River, the depiction of skilled performance and its contexts primarily serves as a vivid and illustrative vehicle for explaining self-transcendence rather than constituting self-transcendence itself. Logically speaking, exercising skills requires intentionality, whereas self-transcendence in Zhuangzi’s sense demands complete forgetfulness and a state of non-attachment. Since the states of intentionality and non-attachment are contradictory, the former does not necessarily enable the latter. Thus, the skill in Zhuangzi cannot directly lead to self-transcendence. The skill allegories in Zhuangzi represent the authors’ subjective elaborations, rooted in the focus and tacit understanding inherent in skill activities, and should not be interpreted in an overly mystical light. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Study of the Concepts of Self-Transcendence, Value and Power in the Works of Emerson and Zhuang Zi)

14 pages, 2647 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bridging Hebrew and Yiddish: Dvora Baron’s Multilingual Vision in “Ogmat Nefesh”

by Emma Avagyan

Religions 2025, 16(6), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060700 - 29 May 2025

Abstract

Dvora Baron’s “Ogmat Nefesh” exemplifies the complexities of early 20th-century Jewish multilingualism, offering distinct Hebrew and Yiddish versions of the story to explore intersections of gender, ideology, and identity. This paper draws on theoretical frameworks from Harshav’s concept of the “language of power”, [...] Read more.

Dvora Baron’s “Ogmat Nefesh” exemplifies the complexities of early 20th-century Jewish multilingualism, offering distinct Hebrew and Yiddish versions of the story to explore intersections of gender, ideology, and identity. This paper draws on theoretical frameworks from Harshav’s concept of the “language of power”, Miron’s notion of “amphibianism”, Even-Zohar’s polysystem theory, and Brenner’s “lingering bilingualism” to examine how Baron’s bilingual authorship shapes her narrative strategies and critiques systemic inequities. Through close readings of key passages, it analyzes how her linguistic choices influence character portrayal, narrative tone, and thematic emphasis across the two versions. Situating “Ogmat Nefesh” within the historical contexts of Eastern European and Palestinian Jewish communities, the study also considers Baron’s engagement with Zionist and diasporic frameworks and her feminist critique of patriarchal structures. Finally, Baron’s personal experiences of exile and literary seclusion further illuminate the interplay between individual circumstances and cultural production in her work. By engaging with secondary scholarship and feminist perspectives, this study highlights Baron’s contributions to early 20th-century feminist writing and her enduring relevance to debates on multilingualism and cultural identity in Jewish literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Jewish Languages: Diglossia in Judaism)

20 pages, 199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pastoral Theological Reflections on Deification from a Lutheran Perspective

by Jonathan Linman

Religions 2025, 16(6), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060699 - 29 May 2025

Abstract

In this article, I explore deification in light of the practice of pastoral ministry in Lutheran settings, engaging the biblical witness and key features of the Lutheran theological tradition as sources for understanding deification from a Lutheran perspective. Through this study, I have [...] Read more.

In this article, I explore deification in light of the practice of pastoral ministry in Lutheran settings, engaging the biblical witness and key features of the Lutheran theological tradition as sources for understanding deification from a Lutheran perspective. Through this study, I have come to view deification from a Lutheran perspective as our union with Christ in faith, individually and communally embodied, that is generated by the energies of the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace in the church for the sake of advancing God’s mission in the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christian Theologies of Deification)

17 pages, 1193 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Buddhist Priests’ Traditional Activity as a De Facto Community Outreach for Older People with Various Challenges: A Mixed Methods Approach

by Yukan Ogawa, Akinori Takase, Chiaki Ura, Machiko Nakagawa and Tsuyoshi Okamura

Religions 2025, 16(6), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060698 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

Little is known about monthly home visits, a traditional Japanese Buddhist custom, wherein Buddhist priests visit their parishioners’ homes every month. This study aimed to explore this custom in terms of community health care. Qualitative data were collected from 14 Buddhist priests from [...] Read more.

Little is known about monthly home visits, a traditional Japanese Buddhist custom, wherein Buddhist priests visit their parishioners’ homes every month. This study aimed to explore this custom in terms of community health care. Qualitative data were collected from 14 Buddhist priests from various areas, followed by quantitative data collection on all the temples in the Osaka parish, where 486 questionnaires were distributed and 299 were retrieved. From the interviews, the functions of the monthly home visits were categorized into the following six categories: “finding incidents”, “preventing suicides”, “caring for older people”, “grief care”, “a peaceful passing”, and “connecting people”. Ninety-one percent of Buddhist priests made monthly home visits in the Osaka parish, with a median of 30.0 times per month. The median duration of their visits was 25.0 min. Those who carried out a high number of monthly home visits had more experience in: noticing dementia or physical deterioration; being asked for advice about a serious issue; dealing with the grief of bereavement; finding someone whom they were concerned about, but being unsure to what extent to get involved; finding someone in cardiopulmonary arrest or unconsciousness; and finding someone whom they were concerned about but not knowing where to ask for help. Full article

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25 pages, 373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Who Created the World(s) and How? A Thought Experiment Among Science Fiction, Physics, and Theology in the Novella Professor A. Dońda by Stanisław Lem

by Tadeusz Sierotowicz

Religions 2025, 16(6), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060697 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

This paper interprets Stanisław Lem’s novella Professor A. Dońda as a thought experiment. In the novella, Lem proposes Dońda’s law, a formulation that allows for a sophisticated theory of creation, at once theological and scientific. This is based on the equivalence of mass-energy-information [...] Read more.

This paper interprets Stanisław Lem’s novella Professor A. Dońda as a thought experiment. In the novella, Lem proposes Dońda’s law, a formulation that allows for a sophisticated theory of creation, at once theological and scientific. This is based on the equivalence of mass-energy-information and on the existence of Dońda’s barrier, which limits the accretion of knowledge. The novella is discussed in the context of Lem’s conception of the art of writing as the art of translating—in this case, translating theological issues into the language of physics and computer science. The result of this translation, which is effectively a thought experiment, is that even if man were to discover the real mechanism of the creation of the world, neither the existence of God nor the non-existence of God could be unambiguously deduced from understanding the mechanism. The protagonist of the novella articulates a theory of being whose initial premise and fundamental category is the concept of error. The paper provides a thorough analysis of the issues raised by the novella and a discussion of genre. The discussion broadens to include the context of contemporary theories in physics, mainly the mass-energy-information principle (MEIE) and the information catastrophe. Full article

7 pages, 163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Bible as a Homing Device: Two U.S. Latine Case Studies

by Jacqueline M. Hidalgo

Religions 2025, 16(6), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060696 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

In an earlier essay, I drew on Sara Ahmed’s formulation of a “homing device” to describe U.S. Latine uses of biblical texts and traditions, as well as “scriptures” more broadly conceived. In this essay, I hope to complicate that idea a little further. [...] Read more.

In an earlier essay, I drew on Sara Ahmed’s formulation of a “homing device” to describe U.S. Latine uses of biblical texts and traditions, as well as “scriptures” more broadly conceived. In this essay, I hope to complicate that idea a little further. I draw on ethnographic methods and share two stories of two people who came from the same generation and lived in geographic proximity in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, but who represent important differences in Latine contexts. These two case studies, when read comparatively, demonstrate how the Bible serves as a homing device, as an object around which both people look for and make sense of ideas of “home”, but the understandings of home and the ways they relate to biblical texts and traditions remain quite distinct. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transgressing Boundaries: Biblical and Social Scientific Studies of Migration)

25 pages, 506 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Nationalism to Transnationalism: The Compilation and Publication of the Puhui Canon (Puhuizang)

by Ting Shen

Religions 2025, 16(6), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060695 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

The publication of the Puhui Canon began in 1943, was interrupted in 1955, and was ultimately completed in 1998, spanning three significant historical periods: the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japan, the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949), and the early years of the People’s [...] Read more.

The publication of the Puhui Canon began in 1943, was interrupted in 1955, and was ultimately completed in 1998, spanning three significant historical periods: the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japan, the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949), and the early years of the People’s Republic of China. Its production was shaped by nationalism, Asian Buddhist interactions, warfare, and diplomacy. As the first Chinese Buddhist canon to incorporate Pāli texts, it reflects the legacy of Sino-Sri Lankan Buddhist exchanges since the late Qing dynasty. The Puhui Canon exemplifies a Pan-Asian vision, seeking to bridge Northern (Mahāyāna) and Southern (Theravāda) Buddhist traditions across Asia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping Sacred Knowledge: The Transmission and Legacy of the Chinese Buddhist Canon)

14 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monogenism Revisited: New Perspectives on a Classical Controversy

by Wojciech Piotr Grygiel and Olaf Lizak

Religions 2025, 16(6), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060694 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

Recent attempts to reconcile the doctrine of original sin with evolutionary theory have sought scientific validation for the historicity of Adam and Eve, particularly through arguments for a single ancestral pair. This paper critically examines such efforts, arguing that they constitute a disguised [...] Read more.

Recent attempts to reconcile the doctrine of original sin with evolutionary theory have sought scientific validation for the historicity of Adam and Eve, particularly through arguments for a single ancestral pair. This paper critically examines such efforts, arguing that they constitute a disguised form of creation science, selectively engaging with evolution to preserve classical Christian anthropology. Through biblical exegesis, theological hermeneutics, and biological research, this study demonstrates that these approaches rest on uncertain scientific and theological premises. Genesis 1–11 is sapiential rather than historical, and genetic evidence biological evidence points to population-oriented emergence of our species. Theological attempts to preserve a literal Adam and Eve rest on an outdated view of revelation as mere information transfer, leading to conceptual confusion and misinterpretation. The pursuit of a historical Adam and Eve as a scientific reality ultimately distorts both theology and science, reducing theology to ideology and fundamentalism while undermining its engagement with mystery and transcendence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Images of the World in the Dialogue between Science and Religion)

16 pages, 1963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dancing Faith, Reproducing Identity: The Lord of Miracles Devotion Among Barcelona’s Migrants

by Wilson Muñoz-Henríquez and María Esther Fernández-Mostaza

Religions 2025, 16(6), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060693 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

The procession of El Señor de los Milagros is a multitudinous religious manifestation originally from Peru that tours numerous cities around the world each year in October. In Barcelona (Spain), the procession centers the diverse dances performed in honor of the “Cristo Moreno”, [...] Read more.

The procession of El Señor de los Milagros is a multitudinous religious manifestation originally from Peru that tours numerous cities around the world each year in October. In Barcelona (Spain), the procession centers the diverse dances performed in honor of the “Cristo Moreno”, especially La Marinera, which is considered the cultural heritage of the Peruvian nation and is performed mainly by dance groups formed by new generations of Peruvian migrants’ children. This article analyzes the relationship between new generations and the practice of dancing La Marinera in honor of El Señor de los Milagros in Barcelona. Our main methodological strategy was an ethnography focused on the processions held in Barcelona (Spain) in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022. We also conducted in-depth interviews with key informants and focus groups and a review of documents and historical information. In this article, we will show that the performance of the Marinera dance in the procession can foster a connection between young dancers and the worship of the Lord of Miracles. Its performance promotes the appreciation and safeguarding of this practice as a distinctive cultural and national element of Peru, also allowing for a public staging oriented toward spectacle, framed in a transnational and globalized context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sacred Experience and Aesthetic Connections in Religious Festivals)

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15 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Abortion, Consistent Social Ethics, and Public Policy: History and Contemporary Implications of American Magisterial Teaching and Action

by James P. O’Sullivan

Religions 2025, 16(6), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16060692 - 28 May 2025

Abstract

While American magisterial teaching has continuously cast abortion as part of a consistent ethic covering a comprehensive and interrelated set of issues affecting human life and dignity, the teaching also entails a set of tensions between the single issue of abortion and the [...] Read more.

While American magisterial teaching has continuously cast abortion as part of a consistent ethic covering a comprehensive and interrelated set of issues affecting human life and dignity, the teaching also entails a set of tensions between the single issue of abortion and the larger framework, and this has been resolved by insisting that the legality of abortion affects all other issues and so deserves special focus; this focus has played out in public policy with detrimental consequences. This essay argues that if the bishops’ goals truly are a reduction in abortions, the promotion of respect for life and human dignity, and the promulgation of a truly comprehensive and consistent ethic, then there must be a change in their approach. This change would consist of a focus on the unintended lethal impacts of illegality, more grassroots arguments aimed at changing cultural attitudes, and more support—in both rhetoric and action—for measures that work, including but not limited to the myriad levels of structural justice for the poor and women in particular. These actions would, in turn, reinforce the consistent ethic. Further, the bishops should disavow a single-issue approach and move toward an actually comprehensive approach to public policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Religions and Theologies)

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