Religion And Development: Exploring The Intersection Through Open Access Journal.pdf

A New Journal for a Changing World

This inaugural editorial introduces Religion & Development, a groundbreaking journal exploring the complex interplay between religion and development in contemporary global contexts.

Motivation:

The journal arises from three key observations:

Shift to Sustainable Development: The current global development agenda centers around achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), emphasizing environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic growth.
Revitalized Post-Development Debate: There's a growing critique of traditional Western-led development models, leading to renewed interest in alternative approaches rooted in local contexts and cultural values, including religion.
Emerging Field: Religion & Development: Scholars, policymakers, and practitioners are increasingly recognizing the significant role that religious communities play in shaping development outcomes, both positively and negatively.

The Task of Religion & Development:

The journal aims to:

Bridge Disciplines: Foster interdisciplinary dialogue between scholars from diverse fields like sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, theology, and development studies.
Explore Complexities: Examine the multifaceted relationship between religion and development, acknowledging both potential benefits and challenges.
Promote Critical Analysis: Encourage rigorous academic research that critically analyzes existing frameworks and offers innovative perspectives on religious engagement in development processes.
Inform Policy & Practice: Provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders working at the intersection of religion and development.

Scope and Collaboration:

Religion & Development embraces a broad definition of "religion," encompassing diverse faith traditions, spiritual practices, and belief systems worldwide. It welcomes articles exploring:

Theorizing Religion & Development: Conceptual frameworks, theories, and methodologies for understanding the interplay between religion and development.
Case Studies: Empirical research on specific instances of religious engagement in development initiatives, including success stories and failures.
Policy Analysis: Critical assessments of existing policies and programs related to religion and development, offering recommendations for improvement.
Ethical Considerations: Exploration of ethical dilemmas arising from the intersection of religion and development, particularly regarding cultural sensitivity, power dynamics, and social justice.

Editorial Policy:

The journal adheres to:

Open Access: All articles are freely accessible online, promoting knowledge sharing and accessibility.
Peer Review: Rigorous peer review ensures the quality and validity of published research.
Diversity & Inclusion: We actively seek contributions from scholars and practitioners representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

The Launch Issue:

This inaugural issue features a range of thought-provoking articles exploring:

The role of Pentecostal-charismatic churches in redistributing resources in Harare, Zimbabwe.
An ontological analysis of Trinitarian well-being as a rationale for human flourishing.
A legal assessment of the Commercialization of Religion and Abuse of People’s Belief Systems Commission report.
And more!