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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Saving speech: recovering truthful political communication

In the fifth in his series, Jonathan Chaplin looks at the quality of our public speech, and argues that all is not lost – yet. 02/08/2021

Faith in Democracy, Social Media

Adoption: re–discovering what it means to be family

Abbie Allison considers how the Bible’s radical ideas about family could help to shift our understanding of adoption. 28/07/2021

Family, Society

Zoomed out? This may be why…

Guest writer Samuel Johns considers what is lost when we communicate through Zoom. 26/07/2021

Communities, Coronavirus, Technology

Just Work: Modern Anxiety, Ancient Answer

Paul Bickley introduces the latest Theos report, ‘Just Work: Humanising the Labour Market in a Changing World’. 19/07/21

Coronavirus, Technology, Work

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

Research

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Just Work: Humanising the Labour Market in a Changing World

Paul Bickley

As the relationship between work, time and place changes, this report explores how we can rediscover patterns of rest for human beings and for ecosystems. (2021)

Coronavirus, Technology, Work

Reports Download

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

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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Working 9 to 5(am)?: Work and its Limits in the Post–Covid World

Marking the launch of Theos’ new report on the future of work, we will consider how we view the work in our lives – and the future of it.

Give Us Our Ball Back 2021 – Making the Game Beautiful Again

With Euro 2021 about to kick off, and the football world still reeling from the Super League, we ask how football can serve the common good.

Science, Religion and Humanity: Who gets to say?

At this York Festival of Ideas event, Nick Spencer will explore how science and religion have, do and can relate to one another.

Why our societies are coming apart and how to put them back together

Theos will host a lunchtime conversation with Jon Yates and Dr Madeleine Pennington.

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

In the news

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Reclaiming the Sabbath for rest could reduce work anxiety says Christian think tank

Curb worker exploitation, says Christian think tank

Working 9 to 5(am)? Call for National Crackdown on Unpaid Overtime Post–Covid

Humanism matters in the age of AI

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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What comes after liberalism?

In the final episode of series two of Reading Our Times, Nick Spencer speaks to Adrian Pabst. 13/07/2021

Liberalism, Reading Our Times

What does “being spiritual” actually mean?

Nick Spencer speaks to former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. 06/07/2021

Humanism, Reading Our Times, Spirituality

What do we owe each other?

Nick Spencer talks to world–renowned economic and social thinker Minouche Shafik. 29/06/2021

Reading Our Times, Welfare

Where does language come from (and where is it going)?

Nick Spencer talks to Alexandra Aikhenvald, Foundation Director of the Language and Culture Research Centre. 22/06/2021

Identity, Language, Reading Our Times

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

Saving speech: recovering truthful political communication

Adoption: re–discovering what it means to be family

Zoomed out? This may be why…

Just Work: Modern Anxiety, Ancient Answer

Research

Just Work: Humanising the Labour Market in a Changing World

Paul Bickley

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

Theos is a body that commands attention.

Events

20 July 2021

Working 9 to 5(am)?: Work and its Limits in the Post–Covid World

17 June 2021

Give Us Our Ball Back 2021 – Making the Game Beautiful Again

9 June 2021

Science, Religion and Humanity: Who gets to say?

3 June 2021

Why our societies are coming apart and how to put them back together

In the news

Reclaiming the Sabbath for rest could reduce work anxiety says Christian think tank

Curb worker exploitation, says Christian think tank

Working 9 to 5(am)? Call for National Crackdown on Unpaid Overtime Post–Covid

Humanism matters in the age of AI

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

What comes after liberalism?

What does “being spiritual” actually mean?

What do we owe each other?

Where does language come from (and where is it going)?

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.