Theos

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Understanding faith. Enriching society.

Theos stimulates the debate about the place of religion in society, challenging and changing ideas through research, commentary and events.

Comment

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Rachel Mann on the goodness of bodies, poetry and challenging assumptions about identity

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to poet and priest Rachel Mann. 14/04/2021

Christianity, Identity, Poetry

Dina Nayeri on the experience of refugees and the nature of storytelling

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to novelist and author Dina Nayeri. 07/04/2021

Humanity, Immigration, Refugee Crisis

A series of reflections for Easter

Members of the Theos team reflect on the fresh significance of the Easter story for them this year. 31/03/2021

Christianity, Coronavirus, Easter

Omid Djalili on his Baha’i faith, racism and serving humanity through comedy

The Sacred is back – with a new look and feel! In this episode, Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to comedian Omid Djalili. 31/03/2021

Baha'i, Comedy, Racism

Latest thoughts from the Theos team and guest contributors on current issues around religion and society.

Research

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Relationships, Presence and Hope: University Chaplaincy during the COVID–19 Pandemic

Simon Perfect

Chaplains and faith advisors have been on the frontline of the pandemic. This report explores the unique contributions of university chaplains during this time. (2021)

Chaplaincy, Coronavirus, Mental Health

Reports Download

The Church and Social Cohesion: Connecting Communities and Serving People

Madeleine Pennington

This report, commissioned by the Free Churches Group, investigates how churches in England contribute to social cohesion. (2020)

Churches, Social Cohesion

Reports Download

Growing Good; Growth, Social Action and Discipleship in the Church of England

Hannah Rich

Social action can lead to congregations growing numerically and spiritually. This report, focused on the Church of England, explores how. (2020)

Communities, Evangelism, Faith, Future of Churches, GRA:CE Project, Social Action

Reports Buy Download

Nurturing social cohesion: how–to guides for churches and policymakers

Madeleine Pennington

Theos has produced a set of practical guides for churches and policymakers offering some basic principles for engagement in this work. (2020)

Churches, Social Cohesion

Reports Buy

Theos researches and investigates the intersection of religion, politics and society in the contemporary world.

Theos is a body that commands attention.

The Economist

Events

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Visual communication in a digital age

Emily Downe will contribute to this Culham St Gabriel’s Trust event on why innovation matters for today’s teachers of religion and worldviews.

London 2021 – religion, politics and leadership – what’s the picture?

In the run–up to the mayoral election, we revisit our former research and ask if the pandemic has shifted public perceptions of religion.

Neighbourliness in a Global Context

What does it mean to be a good neighbour on a global scale? Theos researcher Simon Perfect will chair this talk given by the Bishop of London.

My Dream, My Taste: What does it mean to live a good life?

Join us for a screening of multi–award nominated 3–minute film ‘My Dream, My Taste’ and a conversation around the themes raised.

Theos hosts public debates, discussions and lectures about religion and society.

In the news

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Nick Spencer appears on BBC Radio 4 Sunday

Can Sir Tim Berners–Lee save our privacy?

How to support Chaplains to support students during Covid

The two faces of Christianity in Joe Biden’s America

Theos is regularly quoted in mainstream media across broadcast, print and digital.

Theos has done a huge amount to raise the level of public debate about religion. It has won respect for its high–quality research and respect for honest enquiry.

Linda Woodhead, Professor, Sociology of Religion, Lancaster University

Audio & Podcasts

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Rachel Mann on the goodness of bodies, poetry and challenging assumptions about identity

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to poet and priest Rachel Mann. 14/04/2021

Christianity, Identity, Poetry

Dina Nayeri on the experience of refugees and the nature of storytelling

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to novelist and author Dina Nayeri. 07/04/2021

Humanity, Immigration, Refugee Crisis

Omid Djalili on his Baha’i faith, racism and serving humanity through comedy

The Sacred is back – with a new look and feel! In this episode, Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to comedian Omid Djalili. 31/03/2021

Baha'i, Comedy, Racism

The Sacred is taking a sabbatical

In this short announcement, Elizabeth Oldfield explains why you won’t be hearing from The Sacred for a couple of months. 16/12/2020

The Sacred podcast explores how we can have better public conversations about the things we value, despite our differences. It is presented by our Director, Elizabeth Oldfield. Reading Our Times explores the books and ideas that are shaping us today, and is hosted by our Senior Fellow Nick Spencer.

Among the most pressing political challenges of our time is to define the politics of the common good – ways of resisting the relentless commodification of our lives, our families and our communities. Theos shows us how the Christian tradition has a huge part to play in meeting that challenge.

Jon Cruddas MP

Theos

Theos

Understanding faith. Enriching society.

Comment

Rachel Mann on the goodness of bodies, poetry and challenging assumptions about identity

Dina Nayeri on the experience of refugees and the nature of storytelling

A series of reflections for Easter

Omid Djalili on his Baha’i faith, racism and serving humanity through comedy

Research

Relationships, Presence and Hope: University Chaplaincy during the COVID–19 Pandemic

Simon Perfect

The Church and Social Cohesion: Connecting Communities and Serving People

Madeleine Pennington

Growing Good; Growth, Social Action and Discipleship in the Church of England

Hannah Rich

Nurturing social cohesion: how–to guides for churches and policymakers

Madeleine Pennington

Theos is a body that commands attention.

Events

12 May 2021

Visual communication in a digital age

29 April 2021

London 2021 – religion, politics and leadership – what’s the picture?

13 April 2021

Neighbourliness in a Global Context

29 March 2021

My Dream, My Taste: What does it mean to live a good life?

In the news

Nick Spencer appears on BBC Radio 4 Sunday

Can Sir Tim Berners–Lee save our privacy?

How to support Chaplains to support students during Covid

The two faces of Christianity in Joe Biden’s America

Theos has done a huge amount to raise the level of public debate about religion. It has won respect for its high–quality research and respect for honest enquiry.

Audio & Podcasts

Rachel Mann on the goodness of bodies, poetry and challenging assumptions about identity

Dina Nayeri on the experience of refugees and the nature of storytelling

Omid Djalili on his Baha’i faith, racism and serving humanity through comedy

The Sacred is taking a sabbatical

Among the most pressing political challenges of our time is to define the politics of the common good – ways of resisting the relentless commodification of our lives, our families and our communities. Theos shows us how the Christian tradition has a huge part to play in meeting that challenge.