Religion, a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that relate to the worship of a controlling force, plays a crucial role in contemporary society. True doctrines of each religion lead us to become spiritual in nature which, in turn, propels us towards promoting the well-being of humanity. Therefore, integrating religion, spirituality, and humanity can cultivate and promote a focus on living consciously, harmoniously, and righteously. Shawn Paul blends science, social science, and spiritual science into a format of practical living based on human ideals and values to present a well-balanced view of each major religion. He not only examines the limitations of organized religious practices, but also highlights the true doctrines of each faith and their significance in human lives. While logically critiquing traditional religious practices, their significance and limitations, and the way they impact society, Paul also summarizes major themes and corresponding holy verses while encouraging compassion, peace, and love through spiritual consciousness and service to humanity. Religions, Spirituality, and Humanity shares a comprehensive examination of organized religious practices and their significance that inspires a harmonious life of personal fulfillment focused on contributing to the greater good and a peaceful coexistence.

Since the 1971 White House Conference on Aging in the United States, the need to move from religiosity into new areas such as Spiritual Assessment and Spirituality has emerged. This movement has picked up momentum among scholars, particularly in terms of research in the area of Spirituality. While spirituality as a term is employed in many new studies, this term continues to defy the quest for a single definition and method. This book is divided into three sections. In the first the authors reflect on the philosophical and theological issues presented by these terms from a variety of both cognate and practical methodological approaches. The second section offers insights from the major professions of sociology, psychology, public health, nursing and social work. The final section offers insight and assistance to researchers and authors on specific religious traditions. This book will be important for anyone working to develop such practical tools as spiritual assessment forms to those who engage in more formal scholarly investigation.

This international volume provides a comprehensive account of contemporary research, new perspectives and cutting-edge issues surrounding religion and spirituality in social work. The introduction introduces key themes and conceptual issues such as understandings of religion and spirituality as well as definitions of social work, which can vary between countries. The main body of the book is divided up into sections on regional perspectives; religious and spiritual traditions; faith-based service provision; religion and spirituality across the lifespan; and social work practice. The final chapter identifies key challenges and opportunities for developing both social work scholarship and practice in this area. Including a wide range of international perspectives from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, the UK and the USA, this Handbook succeeds in extending the dominant paradigms and comprises a mix of authors including major names, significant contributors and emerging scholars in the field, as well as leading contributors in other fields of social work who have an interest in religion and spirituality. The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Spirituality and Social Work is an authoritative and comprehensive reference for academics and researchers as well as for organisations and practitioners committed to exploring why, and how, religion and spirituality should be integral to social work practice.

The Science of Religion, Spirituality, and Existentialism presents in-depth analysis of the core issues in existential psychology, their connections to religion and spirituality (e.g., religious concepts, beliefs, identities, and practices), and their diverse outcomes (e.g., psychological, social, cultural, and health). Leading scholars from around the world cover research exploring how fundamental existential issues are both cause and consequence of religion and spirituality, informed by research data spanning multiple levels of analysis, such as: evolution; cognition and neuroscience; emotion and motivation; personality and individual differences; social and cultural forces; physical and mental health; among many others. The Science of Religion, Spirituality, and Existentialism explores known contours and emerging frontiers, addressing the big question of why religious belief remains such a central feature of the human experience. - Discusses both abstract concepts of mortality and concrete near-death experiences - Covers the struggles and triumphs associated with freedom, self-regulation, and authenticity - Examines the roles of social exclusion, experiential isolation, attachment, and the construction of social identity - Considers the problems of uncertainty, the effort to discern truth and reality, and the challenge to find meaning in life - Discusses how the mind developed to handle existential topics, how the brain and mind implement the relevant processes, and the many variations and individual differences that alter those processes - Delves into the psychological functions of religion and science; the influence on pro- and antisocial behavior, politics, and public policy; and looks at the role of spiritual concerns in understanding the human body and maintaining physical health

Journeys of Faith: Religion, Spirituality, and Humanistic Psychology is about the intersection of a now hallowed approach to psychotherapy, today referred to as humanistic, or person-centered, counseling, and the broad religious/spiritual world that its first practitioners found themselves engaging, often much to their surprise. What is humanistic psychology? Where did it come from? How did it replace the two storied therapies—Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis and B. F. Skinner’s behaviorism—that had previously dominated counseling. And why and how did the practitioners of humanistic psychology find themselves engaging spiritual and religious questions, which hitherto had been understood by most psychologists as foreign to their field of interest? These are the questions Journeys of Faith: Religion, Spirituality, and Humanistic Psychology addresses. Rising to prominence in America during the post-World War II years, humanistic psychology reached its zenith in the 1950s and 1960s and continued to influence the national conversation—psychologically, spiritually, politically, and culturally—throughout the remaining decades of the 20th century. During those years, it attracted a wide and diverse following, becoming a cultural phenomenon that affected everything from counseling and education to parenting, religion, and business management. Its influence continues to be felt today, though often unrecognized and uncredited. The key players in the humanistic psychology movement—Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Erich Fromm, and Rollo May—hailed from different sociocultural and religious backgrounds and followed dissimilar, though interconnecting, professional paths. While they were confronting the world’s problems through the lens of psychology and psychotherapy, other thinkers were approaching them from different perspectives, though equally humanistic. Among those others, the evolutionary biologist Julian Huxley receives special attention as one with particularly useful insights into the intersection of science and spirituality. “At a time when society is desperate for a sense of centeredness, Dr. Michael Brock produces for us a comprehensive address to just those factors which make life worth living. In Journeys of Faith: Religion, Spirituality, and Humanistic Psychology, he demonstrates humanity’s yearning for the experiential encounter with awe, wonder, and mystery and provides an assessment of the leading systems of psychological analysis in the modern world that offers scholars, practitioners, and students insight into the way forward in these times of anxiety and uncertainty. A more cogent integration of psychology and spirituality is not presently available.” –Dr. John Henry Morgan, Ph.D., Th.D., D.Sc. (London), Psy.D. (FH/Oxford), Research Professor of Clinical Psychopathology (Graduate Theological Foundation/Oklahoma), Harvard University Postdoctoral Visiting Scholar Mike Brock is a counselor in private practice in Dallas and Carl Ransom Rogers Professor of Counseling Psychology at the Graduate Theological Foundation. In addition, he teaches in the pastoral ministry program at the University of Dallas. His academic background includes degrees in philosophy, history, counseling, and psychology.

International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Second Edition, Fourteen Volume Set embraces diversity by design and captures the ways in which humans share places and view differences based on gender, race, nationality, location and other factors—in other words, the things that make people and places different. Questions of, for example, politics, economics, race relations and migration are introduced and discussed through a geographical lens. This updated edition will assist readers in their research by providing factual information, historical perspectives, theoretical approaches, reviews of literature, and provocative topical discussions that will stimulate creative thinking. Presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage on the topic of human geography Contains extensive scope and depth of coverage Emphasizes how geographers interact with, understand and contribute to problem-solving in the contemporary world Places an emphasis on how geography is relevant in a social and interdisciplinary context

“An insightful, scholarly resource for dialogue about the symbiotic relationship between the life of the mind and the life of the heart of faculty, and what faculty can do to provide students an education that focuses on meaning and purpose.” —Larry A. Braskamp, professor emeritus, Loyola University Chicago “Among the strengths of this book are Lindholm’s solid research design and data analysis, deft integration of quantitative and qualitative data in presentation of findings and interpretation, and clear writing. Dr. Lindholm makes an important contribution both to higher education literature on faculty, and to religious studies literature, on this dimension of religion and spirituality in colleges and universities.” —Michael D. Waggoner, professor, University of Northern Iowa; editor, Religion & Education “No one understands more thoroughly the roles that spirituality and religion play in higher education today than Jennifer Lindholm, who has spent more than a decade documenting their impact. The Quest for Meaning and Wholeness adds greatly to her earlier findings of how college can enhance the spiritual lives of students.” —Gary Luhr, executive director, Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities “Based on both quantitative and qualitative data, Lindholm’s thoughtful, well-written book opens new ground, addressing a largely ignored topic in the research on faculty lives and work—spirituality, religion, and meaning in academic life. Institutional leaders, faculty members, and students will benefit from the fresh perspectives, careful definitions, issues, and questions discussed in this book.” —Ann E. Austin, professor of higher, adult, and lifelong education, Michigan State University; coauthor of Rethinking Faculty Work: Higher Education’s Strategic Imperative “At last, a book for faculty about faculty on an important, but long-neglected, topic. Jennifer Lindholm provides a cogent, readable analysis of how faculty view spirituality and religion not only in their own lives, but also their role in higher education.” —Peter C. Hill, Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University

Challenges involved in the interplay between religion and business are incredibly complex, and as such this book thoughtfully considers the critical issue of inclusion and how employers should view its importance. Whilst exploring the intricacies of organised religion, it investigates how mindful religious wisdom can be harmoniously applied within corporate and not for profit environments.

Focuses on the developmental process of religion and spirituality across the human life span.This encyclopedia joins a recent trend in research and scholarship aimed at better understanding the similarities and differences between world religions and spiritualities, between expressions of the divine and between experiences of the transcendent.

Focuses on the importance of transforming religious education and using its potential to address the worldviews of children.