One Nation, Many Faiths
Religious Pluralism and National Identity in an Interfaith Organisation
Published on 6. February 2025
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-350-42586-6 (ISBN)
Description
This book examines the understudied role of the interfaith movement in institutionalizing religious pluralism in the public life of contemporary societies through the case study of Interfaith Scotland. It analyzes the organization and their literature, demonstrating the ways in which they have cultivated a particular model of religious pluralism compatible with a secular civic-cultural nationalism. It places this case into a comparative discussion of the interfaith movement as an emerging global phenomenon.
In this case study, the author considers how Interfaith Scotland presents 'religions' as equivalent, compatible bodies of ethical teachings through selective appeals to textual traditions or in some cases, their construction. It has also depended on conforming to the 'world religions paradigm', where it is only religions with global reach and cohesive characteristics which require representation.
Liam Sutherland discusses how Interfaith Scotland encouraged a common, seemingly 'apolitical' attachment to Scotland's democratic institutions and cultural heritage, especially in relation to the question of independence. This case study sheds light on the wider relationship between the global interfaith movement and nationalism - both in protecting religions against prejudice and exclusion but also pursuing integrationist goals.
In this case study, the author considers how Interfaith Scotland presents 'religions' as equivalent, compatible bodies of ethical teachings through selective appeals to textual traditions or in some cases, their construction. It has also depended on conforming to the 'world religions paradigm', where it is only religions with global reach and cohesive characteristics which require representation.
Liam Sutherland discusses how Interfaith Scotland encouraged a common, seemingly 'apolitical' attachment to Scotland's democratic institutions and cultural heritage, especially in relation to the question of independence. This case study sheds light on the wider relationship between the global interfaith movement and nationalism - both in protecting religions against prejudice and exclusion but also pursuing integrationist goals.
Reviews / Votes
This is a well-written, genuinely interesting monograph that merits a broad readership. It deserves a place in all university libraries and will appeal to general readers interested in Scottish identity, Scottish nationalism, and other aspects of contemporary Scotland. I recommend it heartily. * BASR Bulletin * Liam Sutherland offers an informative, detailed and well-researched treatment of perhaps the most important feature of the contemporary religious landscape in Britain. The interconnecting strands of diversity, dialogue and national identity are engaged and explained in an accessible and readable way. * Andrew Dawson, Lancaster University, UK * This book provides an important contribution to the growing scholarly literature on the interfaith movement, taking a critical but empathetic look at a particular organisation. While rooted in the Scottish context, this book has a wider, global significance. A critical intervention into the existing debates. * Paul Michael Hedges, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore * Sutherland offers a profound exploration of the relationship between religion and nationalism, invaluable to scholars and commentators looking at the current public role of religion. Well researched and insightful, this book deserves to be read widely by all those interested in religion in Scotland, the UK and beyond. * Martin Stringer, Martin Stringer Quartet, UK *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-42586-6 (9781350425866)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
1. Introduction - One Nation, Many Faiths and the Need for Critical Study of Interfaith
2. The Interfaith Movement, Religious Diversity and Nationalism in Scotland and the World
3. Heritage and Partnership: Interfaith Scotland's Representations of Scottish Christians
4. Unity in Diversity: Interfaith Representations of Scottish Religious Minorities
5. Rivals and Dialogue Partners: Interfaith Scotland's Representations of the Scottish Non-Religious
6. The Country in which we Live: Interfaith Scotland's Representations of Scottishness, the Independence Referendum and its Aftermath
7. From Scotland to the World: The Study of the Global Interfaith Movement, Religious Pluralism and Nationalism
8. Conclusion - Interfaith Scotland's Construction of Religious Pluralism and Civic-Cultural Nationalism
Bibliography
Index
2. The Interfaith Movement, Religious Diversity and Nationalism in Scotland and the World
3. Heritage and Partnership: Interfaith Scotland's Representations of Scottish Christians
4. Unity in Diversity: Interfaith Representations of Scottish Religious Minorities
5. Rivals and Dialogue Partners: Interfaith Scotland's Representations of the Scottish Non-Religious
6. The Country in which we Live: Interfaith Scotland's Representations of Scottishness, the Independence Referendum and its Aftermath
7. From Scotland to the World: The Study of the Global Interfaith Movement, Religious Pluralism and Nationalism
8. Conclusion - Interfaith Scotland's Construction of Religious Pluralism and Civic-Cultural Nationalism
Bibliography
Index