Religious Literacy in Policy and Practice

"A significant contribution to the improvement of conversation about religious literacy by insisting that informed debate be the norm rather than a rarity." Lori G Beaman, University of Ottawa

"[This] book is timely, and provides a solid introduction to the field. It should be of interest, not only to scholars and policymakers, but also to anyone concerned about the poverty of current public discourse about religion." British Politics

"[This book] will prove an essential resource for scholars and educators interested in the role of religious literacy in the contemporary scene." Sociology of Religion

"The aim of the volume is excellent…all the themes will keep experts busy researching and advising for years to come." Church Times

“This is a ground-breaking and positive response by relevant experts to questions about the discussion of religion in a wide range of social contexts. Each chapter is thought-provoking, original and clear.” James A. Beckford, University of Warwick

“A clear and fearless statement that we need to regain a proper conversation about religion and politics in our uncertain age, it provides both the tools and the ideas by which we may begin to have this conversation in public.” Professor Chris Baker, University of Chester and Director of Research, William Temple Foundation

Adam Dinham is Professor of Faith and Public Policy, and Director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at the Goldsmiths, University of London.

Matthew Francis is a Research Associate at Lancaster University. He is also the founding editor of RadicalisationResearch.org and has researched and written about religion and violence for the British Home Office and in the media.

Foreword ~ Grace Davie;

Section one – Theory;

Religious literacy: contesting an idea and practice ~ Adam Dinham and Matthew Francis;

Diminishing religious literacy: methodological assumptions and analytical frameworks for promoting the public understanding of religion ~ Diane L. Moore;

Religious literacy in the context of Theology and Religious Studies ~ David Ford and Mike Higton;

The irony of religious illiteracy in the USA ~ Stephen Prothero & Lauren R. Kerby;

Religious literacy as lokahi: social harmony through diversity ~ Michael Barnes SJ and Jonathan D. Smith;

Section two – Policy;

Religious literacy and welfare ~ Adam Dinham;

Religious literacy, radicalisation and extremism ~ Matthew Francis and Amanda van Eck Duymaer van Twist;

Religious literacy, equalities and human rights ~ Rebecca Catto and David Perfect;

Section three – Practice;

Religious illiteracy in school Religious Education ~ James C. Conroy;

Religious literacy in higher education ~ Stephen H. Jones;

Religious literacy and social work: the view from Australia ~ Beth R. Crisp;

Religious literacy and the media: the case of the BBC ~ Michael Wakelin and Nick Spencer;

Religious literacy and chaplaincy ~ Jeremy Clines with Sophie Gilliat-Ray;

Religious literacies: the future ~ Matthew Francis and Adam Dinham.