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.

Events

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The Sacred Live with Richard Ayoade and Lydia Fox

Elizabeth Oldfield will host a live recording of The Sacred podcast with guests Richard Ayoade and Lydia Fox.

Saint Augustine Now: A Spiritual Life in a Secular Age

Theos hosts philosopher and writer James K.A. Smith, who will talk about his new book exploring what we can learn from St Augustine of Hippo.

Science and the arts: Going beyond two cultures

Theos will be hosting a discussion with Tom McLeish and Alison Milbank on the intellectual division between the sciences and the arts.

Faith and Belief on Campus: Division and Cohesion

This conference explored religion or belief in universities and issues like freedom of speech, and launched our research in this area.

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

Comment

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Grenfell: the response of an Islamic Community

In this blog, Nick Spencer introduces our new report: ‘Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, Grenfell, and mosques in Britain today’. 16/09/2019

Islam, Social Action, Society

Renewing the Social Contract

Daniel Coyne considers how our democracy lost its way and how it can be restored. 10/09/2019

Democracy, History, Politics

The Poetry and Music of Science

Nick Spencer reviews ‘The Poetry and Music of Science’ by Tom McLeish. 06/09/2019

Art, Poetry, Science

The Sacred #47: Will Gervais and Penny Edgell

In the 47th episode of The Sacred, Elizabeth Oldfield talks to experts in atheism and non–religion, Will Gervais and Penny Edgell. 04/09/2019

Atheism, Belief, Secularism

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

In the news

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Harry Potter can be a sacred text

Elizabeth Oldfield reflects on whether Harry Potter can be a sacred text in this article for Unherd. 06/09/2019

Elizabeth Oldfield appears on BBC Radio 5 Live’s ‘Good Week / Bad Week’

Elizabeth Oldfield shares her thoughts on the week’s major news stories for BBC Radio 5 Live’s ‘Good Week / Bad Week’ programme. 21/07/2019

Good news and bad news: conflicting views on campus evangelism

Times Higher Education reports on the ‘Proselytism and secularism’ panel at Theos’ Faith and Belief on Campus conference. 13/07/2019

Exams timetabled during festivals, access to kosher food and antisemitism among issues Jewish students face, report finds

The Jewish Chronicle shares a number of findings from Theos’ 2019 report, ‘Faith and Belief on Campus: Division and Cohesion’. 04/07/2019

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

Theos is a body that commands attention.

The Economist

Research

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Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, Grenfell, and mosques in Britain today

Amy Plender

This report looks at Al Manaar’s response to Grenfell, in the light of wider questions pertaining to the Muslim presence in contemporary public life. (2019)

Belief, Britain, Islam, Media, Social Action

Reports Download

Faith and Belief on Campus: Division and Cohesion

Universities are a symbolic battleground in debates about our values. But what is university like for students of different faiths or beliefs? This report explores faith and belief student societies, the challenges they face, and how they handle controversial issues like freedom of speech. (2019)

Extremism, Freedom of Speech, Secularism, Universities

Reports Buy Download

Science and Religion: the perils of misperception

Nick Spencer

This report gathers over ten years of polling data to give the fullest picture yet of the science and religion landscape in the UK. (2019)

Belief, Bible, Darwin, Faith, Identity, Religion, Science

Reports Buy Download

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

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Forgive Us Our Debts

Nathan Mladin

This report examines personal, corporate, and public debt in the UK within a moral framework. (2019)

Britain, Debt, Economy, Ethics, Government

Reports Download

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

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.

11 September 2019

The Sacred Live with Richard Ayoade and Lydia Fox

25 September 2019

Saint Augustine Now: A Spiritual Life in a Secular Age

8 October 2019

Science and the arts: Going beyond two cultures

4 July 2019

Faith and Belief on Campus: Division and Cohesion

Grenfell: the response of an Islamic Community

Renewing the Social Contract

The Poetry and Music of Science

The Sacred #47: Will Gervais and Penny Edgell

Harry Potter can be a sacred text

Elizabeth Oldfield appears on BBC Radio 5 Live’s ‘Good Week / Bad Week’

Good news and bad news: conflicting views on campus evangelism

Exams timetabled during festivals, access to kosher food and antisemitism among issues Jewish students face, report finds

Theos is a body that commands attention.

Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, Grenfell, and mosques in Britain today

Amy Plender

Faith and Belief on Campus: Division and Cohesion

Simon Perfect

Science and Religion: the perils of misperception

Nick Spencer

Prepare your church for emergency response: Lessons from Grenfell

Amy Plender

Forgive Us Our Debts

Nathan Mladin

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 #47: Will Gervais and Penny Edgell

The Sacred #46: Rhik Samadder

The Sacred #45: Douglas Alexander

The Sacred #44: Tanya Muneera Williams

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.