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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Room for the Soul

Pete Whitehead examines the importance of last rites and access to clergy for those close to death. 22/10/2021

Catholicism, Christianity, Death, Faith, Human Rights, Priests, Religious Freedom

The Green Knight

Pete Whitehead reviews The Green Knight, directed by David Lowery and starring Dev Patel. 06/10/2021

Morality, Review

Democratic deliberation and deep diversity

In the latest in his series on ‘Faith in Democracy’, Jonathan Chaplin explores what it would take to debate assisted dying honestly. 30/09/2021

Dignity, Faith in Democracy

Suffer the Little Children

Paul Bickley examines ‘the liberal case for pronatalism’ in the wake of recent reporting on population decline. 27/09/2021

Liberalism

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 Buy 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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Theos Annual Lecture 2021: Reimagining Western Education in a Time of Racial Crisis with Willie Jennings

On behalf of Theos and CCLA, this year’s Theos Annual Lecture is ‘Reimagining Western Education in a Time of Racial Crisis’, by Dr. Willie Jennings.

Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt

In this upcoming lunchtime event, Prof. Alec Ryrie and Madeleine Pennington discuss his latest book, and explore the history of unbelief.

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.

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

In the news

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Theos announces Chine McDonald as new Director

Paul Bickley appears on BBC Radio Merseyside

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

Curb worker exploitation, says Christian think tank

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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Sarah Eberle on what gardening teaches us and why nature is good for the soul

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to one of the UK’s leading garden designers and landscape architects Sarah Eberle. 15/09/2021

Environment, Nature

Jillian Richardson on the normality of loneliness and finding belonging outside religion

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to loneliness expert, facilitator and author Jillian Richardson. 08/09/2021

Communities, Loneliness, Secularism

Tim Stanley on traditionalism, his journey to Catholicism and the role of a journalist

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to historian and leader writer for Daily Telegraph Tim Stanley. 01/09/2021

Catholicism, Conservative Party, Journalism

Arifa Akbar on freedom, the ethics of writing a memoir and what we can learn from the arts

Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to theatre critic and author Arifa Akbar. 25/08/2021

Art, Death, Freedom

Theos produces two podcasts: The Sacred, exploring how we can have better public conversations about the things we value, despite our differences; and Reading Our Times, exploring the books and ideas that are shaping us today.

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

Room for the Soul

The Green Knight

Democratic deliberation and deep diversity

Suffer the Little Children

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

10 November 2021

Theos Annual Lecture 2021: Reimagining Western Education in a Time of Racial Crisis with Willie Jennings

19 October 2021

Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt

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

In the news

Theos announces Chine McDonald as new Director

Paul Bickley appears on BBC Radio Merseyside

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

Curb worker exploitation, says Christian think tank

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

Sarah Eberle on what gardening teaches us and why nature is good for the soul

Jillian Richardson on the normality of loneliness and finding belonging outside religion

Tim Stanley on traditionalism, his journey to Catholicism and the role of a journalist

Arifa Akbar on freedom, the ethics of writing a memoir and what we can learn from the arts

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.