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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Right now, churches should close

Paul Bickley argues that closing church buildings to public worship is the best way to love our neighbour. 12/01/2021

Church, Coronavirus, Health

Lessons from 2020: things we will remember from the year everyone wants to forget

Members of the Theos team share what they want to carry with them into 2021. 08/01/2021

Christianity, Coronavirus

The rise of Christian populism

Following the events in Washington yesterday, we’re republishing Nick Spencer’s essay on the way Christianity is used by populists. 07/01/2021

Christianity, Populism

Hope and Doubt along the tracks of life’s steam train

Anna Wheeler reflects on what the Polar Express teaches us about hope and doubt. 05/01/2021

Faith, Fiction

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

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 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

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.

Theos is a body that commands attention.

The Economist

In the news

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The search for the secular Jesus

Europe pushes to rescue Christmas despite sacrifice of other religions

Councils should make better use of churches to bring communities together

Churches build communities for life…not just in crisis

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

Events

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18 January 2021

Economic Inequality and Church Responses in the UK

Theos’ Simon Perfect will discuss his new report, which calls for churches to become vocal champions of greater economic equality.

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’.

Theos hosts public debates, discussions and lectures about religion 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

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

Theos

Theos

Understanding faith. Enriching society.

Comment

Right now, churches should close

Lessons from 2020: things we will remember from the year everyone wants to forget

The rise of Christian populism

Hope and Doubt along the tracks of life’s steam train

Research

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

Theos is a body that commands attention.

In the news

The search for the secular Jesus

Europe pushes to rescue Christmas despite sacrifice of other religions

Councils should make better use of churches to bring communities together

Churches build communities for life…not just in crisis

Events

18 January 2021

Economic Inequality and Church Responses in the UK

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?

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

The Sacred is taking a sabbatical

Can liberalism ever ‘get’ religion?

The Sacred #79: Rachel Clarke

Is the law damaging our politics?

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.