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.

Research

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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 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

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

Worldviews in Religious Education

Trevor Cooling

RE is under threat. This report interprets and develops the idea of “worldview” and explores its implications for the classroom. (2020)

Belief, Religious Education, Worldviews

Reports Buy Download

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

Comment

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The Sacred #79: Rachel Clarke

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to palliative care doctor Rachel Clarke. 02/12/2020

Coronavirus, Death, Dignity

Is the law damaging our politics?

Nick Spencer speaks to former BBC Reith lecturer and the Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Sumption. 01/12/2020

Law, Politics, Reading Our Times

How has the divided brain shaped the modern world?

Nick Spencer speaks to Iain McGilchrist about brains, minds, cultures, and God. 24/11/2020

Brain, Culture, Reading Our Times, Society

What are the hate crime laws and should they be reformed?

Simon Perfect explains recent proposals for reforms to hate crime law in England and Wales and the implications for freedom of speech. 19/11/2020

Freedom of Speech, Gender, Islam, Law, Racism, Transgender

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

Events

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26 November 2020

Building Back Better Conference: The Church and Social Cohesion

Theos and the Free Churches Group launch a report assessing the impact of churches on social cohesion.

10 November 2020

The GRA:CE Project launch

Theos and CUF launch a report on the relationship between church growth, social action and discipleship in the Church of England

21 October 2020

What are worldviews and why should schools teach them?

Theos launches latest report ‘Worldviews in Religious Education’.

8 September 2020

Michael Sandel: The Tyranny of Merit

Philosopher and Harvard professor Michael Sandel delivers Theos’ annual lecture 2020.

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

Theos is a body that commands attention.

The Economist

In the news

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Councils should make better use of churches to bring communities together

Church work in Bolton praised for ‘releasing positive energy’

Churches build communities for life…not just in crisis

Anglican Churches in the UK Are Shrinking in Size but Not Impact

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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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.

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

Understanding faith. Enriching society.

The Church and Social Cohesion: Connecting Communities and Serving People

Madeleine Pennington

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

Madeleine Pennington

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

Hannah Rich

Worldviews in Religious Education

Trevor Cooling

The Sacred #79: Rachel Clarke

Is the law damaging our politics?

How has the divided brain shaped the modern world?

What are the hate crime laws and should they be reformed?

26 November 2020

Building Back Better Conference: The Church and Social Cohesion

10 November 2020

The GRA:CE Project launch

21 October 2020

What are worldviews and why should schools teach them?

8 September 2020

Michael Sandel: The Tyranny of Merit

Theos is a body that commands attention.

Councils should make better use of churches to bring communities together

Church work in Bolton praised for ‘releasing positive energy’

Churches build communities for life…not just in crisis

Anglican Churches in the UK Are Shrinking in Size but Not Impact

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.

The Sacred #79: Rachel Clarke

Is the law damaging our politics?

How has the divided brain shaped the modern world?

The Sacred #78: Krithika Varagur

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.