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

Natan Mladin introduces Theos’ upcoming report, ‘Forgive us Our Debts’ and explains why we need to start a better conversation about debt.
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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 — Latest

Paul Bickley reflects on 2018, and looks at the year ahead
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Media — Latest

BBC News: Nick Spencer comments on the case of Jordi Casamitjana, who wants to establish ethical veganism as a belief protected by law.
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Events — Latest

Michael Gove MP gave the 2018 Annual Lecture on ‘A Harvest for the World: Environmental justice, stewardship and the moral purpose of government.’
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Report — Latest

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

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The Sacred #31: Shadi Hamid

In the 31st episode of The Sacred, Elizabeth Oldfield talks to Shadi Hamid, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. 30/01/2019

Extremism, Global Politics, Identity, Podcast, Politics, Terrorism

Forgive us our debts: why we need the Christian teaching on debt more than ever

Nathan Mladin introduces Theos’ latest report, ‘Forgive us Our Debts’ and explains why we need to start a better conversation about debt. 28/01/2019

Britain, Capitalism, Debt, Economy, Finance, Forgive us our Debts, Politics

On listening: how Holocaust Memorial Day challenges us all to be witnesses

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day Rob Thompson considers why the most powerful act of remembrance is often through listening. 27/01/2019

Ethics, History, Judaism, Religion, Trauma

Ben Ryan in conversation with Archbishop Angaelos

Ben Ryan discusses religious freedom with His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church. 25/01/2019

Bishops, Britain, Christianity, Communities, Faith, Religion

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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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

Killing in the Name of God: Addressing Religiously Inspired Violence

Robin Gill

Robin Gill explores religiously inspired violence drawing on research into public attitudes on the topic. (2018)

Christianity, Faith, Islam, Judaism, Terrorism

Reports Buy 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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30 January 2019

Forgive Us Our Debts

This event will launch the report ‘Forgive Us Our Debts’ which examines personal, corporate and government debt in the UK within an ethical framework.

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.

8 November 2018

The Family, the State and the Common Good

This is the second in a series of three public debates, State, Society and the Common Good.

23 June 2018

Nick Spencer and Steven Pinker: The future of humanity

Theos’ Nick Spencer and Harvard professor Steven Pinker debate science, reason and humanism, recorded for the video series ‘Unbelievable?’

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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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

Elizabeth Oldfield on BBC Radio 5live: Good Week Bad Week

Elizabeth Oldfield joins BBC Radio 5live for ‘Good Week Bad Week’ to discuss the news of the week with Peter Allen and Caroline Barker. 20/01/2019

London bucks trend of declining church congregations

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

New Year, New Media

UnHerd’s panel of experts, including Elizabeth Oldfield, give their suggestions for unconventional media worth exploring this year. 03/01/2019

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

Natan Mladin introduces Theos’ upcoming report, ‘Forgive us Our Debts’ and explains why we need to start a better conversation about debt.

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’.

Comment — Latest

Paul Bickley reflects on 2018, and looks at the year ahead

Media — Latest

BBC News: Nick Spencer comments on the case of Jordi Casamitjana, who wants to establish ethical veganism as a belief protected by law.

Events — Latest

Michael Gove MP gave the 2018 Annual Lecture on ‘A Harvest for the World: Environmental justice, stewardship and the moral purpose of government.’

Report — Latest

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

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.

The Sacred #31: Shadi Hamid

Forgive us our debts: why we need the Christian teaching on debt more than ever

On listening: how Holocaust Memorial Day challenges us all to be witnesses

Ben Ryan in conversation with Archbishop Angaelos

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.

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

Killing in the Name of God: Addressing Religiously Inspired Violence

Robin Gill

After Grenfell: the Faith Groups’ Response

Amy Plender

Theos is a body that commands attention.

30 January 2019

Forgive Us Our Debts

22 November 2018

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

8 November 2018

The Family, the State and the Common Good

23 June 2018

Nick Spencer and Steven Pinker: The future of humanity

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.

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

Elizabeth Oldfield on BBC Radio 5live: Good Week Bad Week

London bucks trend of declining church congregations

New Year, New Media

The Sacred #30: Ariane Sherine

The Sacred #29: Nick Payne

The Sacred #28: Andrew Copson

The Sacred #27: Remona Aly