On the Significance of Religion for Social Justice

Christo Thesnaar, Sinethemba Makanya, Mthokozisi Maseko

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040682760
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christianity

On the Significance of Religion in Social Justice analyses the role of religion in social justice from the perspectives of Traditional African Religion, Christianity, and Islam by bringing different disciplines into play, including medicine and health, humanities and Indigenous knowledge systems or African metaphysics, Islam and sociopolitical studies, practical theology, and pastoral care. With much of current academic, political, and public attention focusing on the problematic dimensions of religion, this book also explores the constructive resources of religion for social justice. Analysing the specific contributions of religious actors in this field, their potential, and possible problems connected with them, this book sheds light on the concrete contours of the often vague "religious factor" in processes of social change for social justice.

References to current and former settings of social injustice within South Africa provide "real-life" contexts for their discussions. Combining cutting-edge research with current and former settings with concrete implications for academics, policymakers, and practitioners, this concise and easily accessible volume helps to build bridges between these often-separated spheres of engagement.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Executive summary
• List of abbreviations
• Introduction
• Part I Religion matters for social injustice
• Part II Religion matters for social justice
• Part III Now what? Implications for academics, policymakers, and practitioners
• Index of authors
• Index of subjects
• Index of subjects with cross-referencing
• Index scripture reference