Description
Book SynopsisBased on primary research, this book explores the controversies, policies and practices of 'public faith', questioning perceptions of a fixed divide between religious and secular participants in public life and challenging prevailing concepts of a monolithic 'neutral' public realm. It takes an in-depth look at the distinctiveness of faith groups' contribution, but also probes the conflicts and dilemmas that arise, assessing the role and capacity of faith groups within specific public policy contexts, including education, regeneration, housing and community cohesion. 'Faith in the public realm' will be of interest to students, academics, policy-makers and practitioners in the public and voluntary sectors, and in faith communities themselves.
Trade Review"This is a timely volume. ...well edited and well presented..." James A Beckford in Journal of Contemporary Religion
"...an invaluable read for practitioners and policy-makers as well as academics interested in the area." Rebecca Catto in Sociology
"...With its accessible style (each chapter may stand alone) and disciplined length, Faith in the Public Realm is an invaluable read for practitioners and policy-makers as well as academics interested in the area.' Rebecca Catto, Lancaster University
Table of ContentsFaith and the public realm ~ Adam Dinham and Vivien Lowndes; Controversies of 'public faith' ~ Robert Furbey; 'Soft' segregation: Muslim identity, British secularism and inequality ~ David Cheesman and Nazia Khanum; How participation changes things: 'Inter-faith', 'multi-faith' and a new public imaginary ~ Paul Weller; Faith, multiculturalism and social cohesion: A policy conversation ~ Ted Cantle, Dilwar Hussain and Maqsood Ahmed In conversation; Blurred encounters? Religious literacy, spiritual capital and language ~ Christopher Baker; Religion, political participation and civic engagement: Women's experiences ~ Brenda O'Neill; Young people and faith activism: British Muslim youth - glocalisation and the umma ~ Richard Gale and Therese O'Toole; Faith-based schools: Institutionalising parallel lives? ~ John Flint; Faith, government and regeneration: A contested discourse ~ Richard Farnell; Faith and the voluntary sector: Distinctive yet similar? ~ Rachael Chapman; Conclusions ~ Adam Dinham, Robert Furbey and Vivien Lowndes.
