Advocacy in the study of religion\s

Abstract

This article introduces a thematic issue on advocacy in the study of religion\s. It reflects on some issues relating to instances of advocacy in the study of religion\s such as the importance of personal relationships, intervention on behalf of marginal and controversial religions, forms of and audiences for advocacy, its legitimation, and its relations to scholarly identity and the academy.

Towards increasing diversity in the study of religion

“…Increasingly, scholars are becoming attenuated to an ethical, activist approach that has been evident for some time in the anthropology of religion. See, for example, Gordon Lynch's (2019) research into the history of religious and institutional abuse of children, Linda Woodhead's commentary (2018) on the Church of England's complicity with abusers, Laura Kearn's (2011) review of religious activism around climate change and this journal's thematic issue on advocacy (Stausberg 2014).…”