Religion in Development : Rewriting the Secular Script

Development practice is full of examples of the importance of religion in the lives of people in developing countries. However, religion has largely remained unexplored in development studies. This timely new book aims to fill that gap. The authors expertly review how religion has been treated in the evolution of development thought, how it has been conceptualised in the social sciences, and highlights the major deficiencies of the assumption of secularism. The book argues that development theory and practice needs to rewrite its dominant script regarding its treatment of religion, a script which has so far been heavily inscribed in the secular tradition. It puts forward an understanding of religions as traditions: that religions rest on central thesis and teachings which never cease to be re-interpreted in the light of the social, political and historical context. In addition to providing a conceptual framework for analysing the role of religion in development, the book provides numerous empirical examples drawn from the Christian and Islamic religious traditions. This comprehensive new guide to this key issue is essential for students, development thinkers and practitioners who wish to understand better the role that religion plays in development processes and outcomes. Religion has largely remained unexplored in development studies. This timely new book aims to fill that gap. The authors expertly review how religion has been treated in the evolution of development thought, how it has been conceptualised in the social sciences, and highlights the major deficiencies of the assumption of secularism. "Development practice is full of examples of the importance of religion in the lives of people in developing countries. However, religion has largely remained unexplored in development studies. This timely new book aims to fill that gap. The authors expertly review how religion has been treated in the evolution of development thought, how it has been conceptualised in the social sciences, and highlights the major deficiencies of the assumption of secularism. The book argues that development theory and practice needs to rewrite its dominant script regarding its treatment of religion, a script which has so far been heavily inscribed in the secular tradition. It puts forward an understanding of religions as traditions: that religions rest on central thesis and teachings which never cease to be re-interpreted in the light of the social, political and historical context. In addition to providing a conceptual framework for analysing the role of religion in development, the book provides numerous empirical examples drawn from the Christian and Islamic religious traditions. This comprehensive new guide to this key issue is essential for students, development thinkers and practitioners who wish to understand better the role taht religion plays in development processes and outcomes."--Publisher description Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Notes......Page 20 1 | Addressing the Taboos......Page 21 Is religion relevant?......Page 23 Can religion be controlled?......Page 26 How does religion operate?......Page 29 Is dialogue possible?......Page 32 Can dialogue be a menu of choice?......Page 33 Notes......Page 35 2 | Religion in Development Thought......Page 37 Modernization and economic growth......Page 39 Basic human needs......Page 46 Religious freedom......Page 49 Multi-dimensional poverty......Page 51 The human development approach......Page 54 Summary......Page 57 Notes......Page 59 The secularization thesis......Page 61 Religion defined......Page 66 Fundamentalism and violence......Page 74 Summary......Page 78 Notes......Page 80 4 | Religion in Development Practice......Page 82 The Christian mission......Page 83 Evangelism and evangelicalism......Page 88 Charity and political engagement......Page 92 Da’wa (‘God’s call’)......Page 97 Zakat and waqf......Page 102 Islam and political engagement......Page 107 Summary......Page 110 Notes......Page 111 5 | Conflicts between Traditions......Page 114 Women’s reproductive rights......Page 117 Education......Page 123 Democracy......Page 128 Epistemology......Page 135 Summary......Page 139 Notes......Page 142 6 | Dialoguing Traditions......Page 144 The Second Vatican Council......Page 145 Liberation theology......Page 151 Capitalism and Islam......Page 157 Ijtihad......Page 161 Engagement and dialogue......Page 165 Dialogue and translation......Page 170 Notes......Page 176 References......Page 179 Index......Page 189 Development Practice Is Full Of Examples Of The Importance Of Religion In The Lives Of People In Developing Countries. However, Religion Has Largely Remained Unexplored In Development Studies. This Timely New Book Aims To Fill That Gap. The Authors Expertly Review How Religion Has Been Treated In The Evolution Of Development Thought, How It Has Been Conceptualised In The Social Sciences, And Highlights The Major Deficiencies Of The Assumption Of Secularism. The Book Argues That Development Theory And Practice Needs To Rewrite Its Dominant Script Regarding Its Treatment Of Religion, A Script Which Has So Far Been Heavily Inscribed In The Secular Tradition. It Puts Forward An Understanding Of Religions As Traditions: That Religions Rest On Central Thesis And Teachings Which Never Cease To Be Re-interpreted In The Light Of The Social, Political And Historical Context. In Addition To Providing A Conceptual Framework For Analysing The Role Of Religion In Development, The Book Provides Numerous Empirical Examples Drawn From The Christian And Islamic Religious Traditions. This Comprehensive New Guide To This Key Issue Is Essential For Students, Development Thinkers And Practitioners Who Wish To Understand Better The Role Taht Religion Plays In Development Processes And Outcomes.--publisher Description. Addressing The Taboos -- Religion In Development Thought -- Religion In Debate -- Religion In Development Practice -- Conflicts Between Traditions -- Dialoguing Traditions. Séverine Deneulin With Masooda Bano. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [170]-179) And Index. This timely new book expertly explores the treatment of religion in the evolution of development thought. The book argues that development theory and practice needs to rewrite its dominant script regarding its treatment of religion, a script which has so far been heavily inscribed in the secular tradition. In addition to providing a conceptual framework for analyzing the role of religion in development, the book provides numerous empirical examples drawn from the Christian and Islamic religious traditions. This comprehensive new guide to this key issue is essential for students, development thinkers and practitioners who wish to understand better the role that religion plays in development processes and outcomes.