Religion in Context
Religion in Context
Religious literacy requires engaging religion in context, not in the abstract. Religions are internally diverse, historically dynamic, and embedded in culture. Because of this inherent complexity, generalizing questions such as “What do Muslims think about the hijab?” cannot yield an accurate answer. Better questions require context: Which Muslims? When? Where? Only when we know sufficient details about context can we ask the deeper question: Why?
The resources in this section offer opportunities to study religion in specific contexts. Profiles of major religions offer foundational information about the tradition and its variations across time and place. Thematic case studies on these religions highlight key themes of climate change, gender, technology, violence and peace, and minority life in the United States.
Case Studies from 2017–2024
Religion and Public Life has developed a series of case studies that illustrate how religious traditions deal in diverse ways with a variety of issues from arts and material culture to violence and peace. Each case study uses the method of Religion and Public Life and seeks to demonstrate that the religious tradition it discusses is internally diverse, changes over time, and is embedded in culture. Please see Our Approach for additional information on how we study religion.
Art and Material Culture
Religious literacy requires attention to not only sources like beliefs, texts, and practices, but also images and objects big and small, or what scholars sometimes call visual and material culture.
Environmental Crisis
Global anthropogenic—or human caused—climate change has deeply impacted the ways that religions are practiced around the world. At the same time, religions have also played major roles in framing the issue among their believers.
Gender
Every major world religion originated in patriarchal societies, and people of any other gender are largely excluded. Powerful women, feminists, and members of the LGBTQ community have played major roles in all faiths.
Minority in America
In America, religious people often respond differently when they are in a position of authority or in a position of oppression.
Sports and Society
Dimensions of religious experiences can be found in unexpected places deeply embedded in culture, such as in sports.
![Hakka [sic], Image by Alasdair Massie.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8216/files/styles/hwp_16_9__960x540/public/rpl/files/hakka_by_alasdair_massie_-_credit.jpg?itok=pzyiNn9h)
Technology
Many people have used new technologies on behalf of their religious traditions. At times, religious needs have driven technological innovation.
Violence and Peace
No religion is inherently violent or peaceful. Religions can inspire horrific violence and, conversely, stunning acts of love and peacebuilding.
