Transforming Exclusion: Engaging Faith Perspectives

Transforming Exclusion is concerned with the interface between the study of religion & theology and issues surrounding exclusion. Religious beliefs can be important in shaping attitudes that can lead to the exploitation or marginalization of both humans and non-humans. At the same time, religious beliefs and practices have much to offer in transforming the world, creating a more equitable place for all who occupy it. At other times, the voices of members of religious communities are suppressed and marginalized by other more dominant religious or secular individuals or communities. This book addresses all of these aspects of social exclusion and aims to demonstrate that the study of theology and religion, in addressing religious communities and society more widely, have important contributions to make in creating a more just world. The issue of exclusion is engaged with from a range of different perspectives by scholars involved in fieldwork with religious communities, systematic, contextual and practical theologians, and practitioners involved in the preparation of individuals and groups for a range of ministries and professions.

Table of Contents:
Contents\Acknowledgements\Preface\List of Contributors\1. Postmodernism: Reasons to be Cheerful! Steve Knowles\2. Negotiating Negation: Christians and Muslims making a space for the religious 'other' in British society Mohammad Seddon\3. The Lord of All: Rediscovering the Christian Doctrine of Providence for the World Tom Greggs\4. Does Sustainable Development Have a Future? Celia Deane-Drummond\5. The Problem with Human Equality: Towards a Non-Exclusive Account of the Moral Value of Creatures in the Company of Martha Nussbaum David Clough\6. Does Size Really Matter? A Feminist Theological Response to Secular Dieting and Weight-loss Hannah Bacon\7. Transforming Tyrannies: Disability and Christian Theologies of Salvation Wayne Morris\8. Participation for All? Dot Gosling\9. Reflection Towards Inclusion: Using Reflection in Work with Young People Richard Turner\Bibliography

About the Author :
Dr Hannah Bacon is Senior Lecturer in Feminist and Contextual Theology and Deputy Head of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Chester, UK. Dr Wayne Morris is Senior Lecturer in Contextual and Practical Theology and Deputy Head of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester, UK.  

Review :
‘Substantive reflection informed by the latest scholarship, critical analyses and counter questions from dialogue partners and those usually on the margins, provocative visions for a more just and redemptive ecclesial praxis - what more could readers of theological books ask for? A veritable theological feast indeed!' - Amos Yong, Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, VA, USA. ‘"Inclusion" has become a fashionable word and a widely adopted goal in both Church and society. These essays, however, avoid the clichés and generalisations that can easily surround the subject, and instead look carefully at specific varieties of exclusion, recognised and unrecognised, and the very diverse challenges they present to the integrity of religious communities that claim to be welcoming or affirming. They combine personal and empirical observation with sophisticated tools of philosophical and theological analysis in a highly distinctive way. This is an unusual and very valuable collection.' - Archbishop Rowan Williams Many scholarly books begin, as this one does, as "a conversation between a team of academics". Few such books are page-turners, as this one is. Eight of the nine dons whose discussions led to Transforming Exclusion teach at the University of Chester. On the evidence of this volume, Chester would be an excellent choice for any student looking for somewhere to do theology, where the subject is seen as having practical relevance.