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 — Latest

As Benjamin Netanyahu seeks a fifth term in office, Andy Walton assesses how the Israeli PM has shaped the politics of Israel and beyond.
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Interview — Latest

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.
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Report — Latest

Our latest report ‘Forgive us Our Debts’ examines personal, corporate, and public debt in the UK within a moral framework.
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Comment — Latest

Nick Spencer asks whether Boris Johnson’s comparison of Brexit to the Exodus is 100% justified.
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Comment — Latest

Madeleine Ward makes a case for the sacred importance of social cohesion in post–Brexit Britain.
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Comment — Latest

Ben Ryan argues that minority political groups with extreme ideas can easily shape the views of the mainstream majority.
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Interview — Latest

Nick Spencer speaks to Eric Kaufmann about immigration, identity, the populist Right and his book ‘Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration and the Future of White Minorities’.
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Comment

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On Fleabag, frustration and resisting easy answers

Series two of Fleabag has been met with critical acclaim. Amy Plender offers her reaction to the equally complex and compelling comedy. 10/04/2019

Catholicism, Comedy, Review

Populism, Palestinians and Peace: What’s at stake in the Israeli elections?

As Benjamin Netanyahu seeks a fifth term in office, Andy Walton assesses how the Israeli PM has shaped the politics of Israel and beyond. 08/04/2019

The Sacred #36: Matthew Taylor

In the 36th episode of The Sacred, Elizabeth Oldfield talks to the CEO of The RSA, Matthew Taylor. 10/04/2019

Atheism, Christianity, Faith, Podcast, Politics, Society

Escape from EUgypt: Boris, Moses and the Exodus Story

Theos’ Senior Fellow Nick Spencer asks whether Boris Johnson’s comparison of Brexit to the Exodus is 100% justified. 25/03/2019

Bible, Brexit, Britain, Conservative Party, EU, Politics

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

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

Research

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London is bucking nationwide trends and becoming more religious. The project seeks to analyse this phenomenon and offer evidence–based recommendations to decision makers on accommodating, practically responding to and making the most of religious diversity in London. (Upcoming)

Britain, Christianity, Communities, Faith, Identity, Religion

Reports

Prepare your church for emergency response: Lessons from Grenfell

Amy Plender

This guide draws on our research into faith group responses to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and can be used in emergency response preparation. (2018)

Britain, Christianity, Church, Communities, Religion, Social Action, Trauma

Reports Download

People, Place, and Purpose: Churches and Neighbourhood Resilience

Paul Bickley

Paul Bickley explores the role of churches in building neighbourhood resilience – helping them overcome challenge and disruptive change. (2018)

Brexit, British Values, Churches, Communities

Reports Buy Download

The Future of Religious Education: Debating Reform

Simon Perfect

RE faces very significant challenges. This paper summarises a series of expert discussions about the subject’s future, hosted by Theos in 2017. (2018)

Education, Religious Education

Reports Download

After Grenfell: the Faith Groups’ Response

Amy Plender

A study into the responses of faith groups to the Grenfell Tower tragedy on 14th June 2017. (2018)

Charity, Communities, Faith, Social Action

Reports Buy Download

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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16 May 2019

City of God? The Desecularisation of the City

David Goodhew will be in conversation with Jon Cruddas – Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham – and Paul Bickley, Research Fellow at Theos.

23 May 2019

Religion and Violence: what is the connection?

Authors Rupert Shortt and Ziya Meral tackle the difficult question, what is the connection between religion and violence?

22 November 2018

Michael Gove: When will there be a harvest for the world?

Michael Gove, MP and Environment Secretary, on environmental justice, stewardship and the moral purpose of government at Theos’ annual lecture 2018.

1 January 1970

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

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

In the news

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Will we worship artificial intelligence in the future?

Elizabeth Oldfield argues that robots would make terrible gods in this video for BBC Ideas. 19/02/2019

The brutish origins of British liberalism

Nick Spencer reviews James Simpson’s ‘Permanent Revolution: The Reformation and the Illiberal Roots of Liberalism’ for The Spectator. 14/02/2019

Simon Perfect discusses extreme speakers at universities on Radio 4’s Sunday Programme

Simon Perfect discusses extreme speakers and whether or not their speeches at British universities are being properly monitored. 28/01/2019

London bucks trend of declining church congregations

The Financial Times quotes Paul Bickley in their coverage of church growth in London. 04/01/2019

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

Audio & Podcasts

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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.

Understanding faith. Enriching society.

Comment — Latest

As Benjamin Netanyahu seeks a fifth term in office, Andy Walton assesses how the Israeli PM has shaped the politics of Israel and beyond.

Interview — Latest

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.

Report — Latest

Our latest report ‘Forgive us Our Debts’ examines personal, corporate, and public debt in the UK within a moral framework.

Comment — Latest

Nick Spencer asks whether Boris Johnson’s comparison of Brexit to the Exodus is 100% justified.

Comment — Latest

Madeleine Ward makes a case for the sacred importance of social cohesion in post–Brexit Britain.

Comment — Latest

Ben Ryan argues that minority political groups with extreme ideas can easily shape the views of the mainstream majority.

Interview — Latest

Nick Spencer speaks to Eric Kaufmann about immigration, identity, the populist Right and his book ‘Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration and the Future of White Minorities’.

On Fleabag, frustration and resisting easy answers

Populism, Palestinians and Peace: What’s at stake in the Israeli elections?

The Sacred #36: Matthew Taylor

Escape from EUgypt: Boris, Moses and the Exodus Story

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.

Religious London

The Theos Team

Prepare your church for emergency response: Lessons from Grenfell

Amy Plender

People, Place, and Purpose: Churches and Neighbourhood Resilience

Paul Bickley

The Future of Religious Education: Debating Reform

Simon Perfect

After Grenfell: the Faith Groups’ Response

Amy Plender

Theos is a body that commands attention.

16 May 2019

City of God? The Desecularisation of the City

23 May 2019

Religion and Violence: what is the connection?

22 November 2018

Michael Gove: When will there be a harvest for the world?

1 January 1970

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.

Will we worship artificial intelligence in the future?

The brutish origins of British liberalism

Simon Perfect discusses extreme speakers at universities on Radio 4’s Sunday Programme

London bucks trend of declining church congregations

The Sacred #33: Christina Patterson

Nick Spencer in conversation with Julian Baggini

The Sacred #32: James Cary

Nick Spencer in conversation with Guy Stagg