The Impact of Religion

Coeditor, The Impact of Religion on Character Formation, Ethical Education, and the Communication of Values in Late Modern Pluralistic Societies (Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 2020) (with Michael Welker and Stephen Pickard)
 
Volume 2 of a 10 volume series on Character Formation, Ethical Education, and the Communication of Values in Late Modern Pluralistic Societies.
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Project Series Description (Canopy Forum article)

List of Series Volumes Reprinted
Description

Pluralism has become the defining characteristic of modern societies. Individuals with differing values clamor for equality. Organizations and groups assert particular interests. Social movements flourish and fade. Some see in this clash of principles and aims the potential for a more just human community, while others fear the erosion of enduring culture. Yet beneath this welter stand powerful and pervasive institutions, whose distinctive norms shape our moral commitments and character.  These institutions include the family, the market, the media, and systems of law, religion, politics, research, education, health care and defense.  Drawing on scholarship from five continents, many disciplines, and diverse religious perspectives, this series examines the impact of these various institutions on moral education, character, and values. As globalization carries the shifting dynamic between individuals and institutions into every part of the globe, the contributors hope that this conversation will help address the increasing challenges confronting our pluralist societies and our world.  This volume explores the shifting roles of Christianity and other religions on character formation, ethical education, and social differentiation in several late modern societies.

Contributions by Peter Carnley, Gregor Etzelmüller, Johannes Eurich, Jennifer Herdt, Admiel Kosman, Piet Naudé, Waihan Ng, Friederike Nüssel, Bernd Oberdorfer, Martin Percy, Stephen Pickard, Raja Sakrani, William Schweiker, Philipp Stoellger, Milton Wan, Renee Ip, Michael Welker, and John Witte, Jr.
Table of Contents

  • Contributors
  • Acknowledgments 
  • Preface to the Series 
  • Introduction to the Present Volume – Michael Welker 

Part One: Christian Religion and Character Formation: Potentials and Risks 
  • Comfort, Freedom, Justice, and Truth - Christian Religion, the Formation of Character, and the Communication of Values – Michael Welker 
  • Anthropology and Religious Formation – Gregor Etzelmüller
  • “Values of the Gospel” - The Formative Role of Christian Values for Social Cohesion in Modern Societies – Friederike Nüssel
  • The Fallacy of “Individual Autonomy,” and Moral Value in the Community of Christ – Peter Carnley
  • Should Religion Shape Character? –  William Schweiker
  • The Dialectic of Religious Formation – Jennifer A. Herdt

Part Two: Character Formation in Other Religious Traditions and General Morals 
  • Buber vs. Weber - Future Sociological Research According to Buber’s Proposal -- The I-Thou Relationship in Scholarly Research – Admiel Kosman 
  • Elements of Religious Socialization in Islamic Cultures - How to Be a “Good” Muslim in Europe? – Raja Sakrani 
  • Chinese Family Education and Spiritual Intervention - Voluntary and Involuntary Moral Actions from Neurological and Theological Perspectives – Milton Wai-Yiu Wan and Renee Lai-Fan Ip 
  • Literary Form, Paideia, and Religion - Comparing Case Studies from the Ancient Greek, Traditional Chinese, and Early Christian Contexts – Waihang Ng
  • Humility, Humiliation, and Hope - An Extended Homily on the Crucible for Authentic Character in Leadership – Martyn Percy 

Part Three: Interdisciplinary and Ethical Perspectives on Societal Impacts of Religion 
  • The Impact of Religion on Shaping Values in Pluralistic Societies - A Case of Opposing Interpretations and Unintended Consequences? – Piet Naudé
  • Optimal Environments for the Formation of Character - Challenges and Prospects for Religion – Stephen Pickard
  • “With Religion, not from Religion” - Christian Antimoralist Moralism and its Impact on Moral Formation – Bernd Oberdorfer
  • Formation as Figuration - The Impact of Religion Framed by Media Anthropology – Philipp Stoellger
  • Learning to Care for the Whole Person - The Significance of Body and Soul for Diaconal Work – Johannes Eurich
  • The Uses of Law for the Formation of Character - A Classic Protestant Doctrine for Late Modern Liberal Societies? –​ John Witte, Jr.