Objective Religion: Freedom, Politics, Secularization

Despite predictions of its demise, religion is more prevalent than ever, and this multivolume project aims to advance our understanding of it through rigorous research and a multidisciplinary approach. The articles in Objective Religion challenge common misconceptions and stereotypes about religion and provide a catalyst for future studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Baylor University Press

Though numerous scholars and commentators have anticipated the decline of religion, the world is more religious today than ever before. And yet, despite the persistence of religion, it remains a woefully understudied phenomenon. With Objective Religion, Baylor University Press and Baylor's Institute for Studies of Religion have combined forces to gather select articles from the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion that not only highlight the journal's wide-ranging and diverse scope, but also advance the field through a careful arrangement of topics with ongoing relevance, all treated with scientific objectivity and the respect warranted by matters of faith. This multivolume project seeks to advance our understanding of religion and spirituality in general as well as particular religious beliefs and practices. The volume thereby serves as a catalyst for future studies of religion from diverse disciplines and fields of inquiry including sociology, psychology, political science, demography, economics, philosophy, ethics, history, medicine, population health, epidemiology, and theology. The articles in this volume, Freedom, Politics, Secularization, use rigorous methodologies to scrutinize profoundly important topics that are so often misunderstood. In this way, Objective Religion helps us rethink the conventional beliefs and stereotypes that occupy so much of popular discourse on religion.

Introduction:
Religion has played a significant role in shaping human societies throughout history. While some scholars and commentators have predicted the demise of religion, the reality is that the world is more religious today than ever before. Despite this, religion remains a woefully understudied phenomenon, with many important questions and insights yet to be explored.

Persistence of Religion:
Despite predictions of its decline, religion continues to have a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities around the world. According to the World Values Survey, conducted by the University of Notre Dame, over 80% of the global population identifies as religious, with Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism being the most prevalent religions. This indicates that religion remains a significant aspect of human identity and culture.

Understudied Phenomenon:
Despite the prevalence of religion, it remains a relatively understudied phenomenon in academic circles. This is partly due to the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives and interpretations that exist within religious traditions. Additionally, religion is often intertwined with other social and cultural factors, making it challenging to isolate and study it in isolation.

Objective Religion:
To address this issue, Baylor University Press and Baylor's Institute for Studies of Religion have collaborated to publish Objective Religion, a multivolume project that seeks to advance our understanding of religion and spirituality in general as well as particular religious beliefs and practices. The project brings together a collection of articles from the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion, a leading journal in the field of religious studies.

Scope of the Project:
The Objective Religion project aims to highlight the journal's wide-ranging and diverse scope by gathering select articles that cover a range of topics related to religion and spirituality. The articles in this volume, Freedom, Politics, and Secularization, use rigorous methodologies to scrutinize profoundly important topics that are often misunderstood.

Rigorous Methodologies:
The articles in Objective Religion employ rigorous methodologies to examine the complexities of religious beliefs and practices. These methodologies include qualitative and quantitative analysis, as well as interdisciplinary approaches that draw on insights from various fields such as sociology, psychology, political science, demography, economics, philosophy, ethics, history, medicine, population health, epidemiology, and theology.

Re-Thinking Conventional Beliefs:
The articles in Objective Religion challenge conventional beliefs and stereotypes that often dominate popular discourse on religion. By employing rigorous methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches, the project seeks to provide a more nuanced and accurate understanding of religion and spirituality.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, while many scholars and commentators have predicted the decline of religion, the world is more religious today than ever before. The Objective Religion project seeks to advance our understanding of religion and spirituality by gathering select articles from the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion and presenting them in a multivolume format. The project employs rigorous methodologies to challenge conventional beliefs and stereotypes and provides a more nuanced and accurate understanding of religion and spirituality. As such, Objective Religion serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the complex and fascinating world of religion and spirituality.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781481313667