Religious Diversity in the UK: Contours and Issues

Description

At a time when issues of religious diversity are ever present in the media and in public debate in the UK, student and general interest in this topic is at a new high. Paul Weller's new textbook provides an overview of the religious diversity of the UK. Informed by examples from the author's own research and professional practice, and referring to other key sources, it takes a "critical incident" and "case-study" based approach to some of the major debates arising from that diversity. These include demographic, socio-economic and other issues from the Census; places of worship; hatred, respect and freedom of expression; governance and civil society; education; and discrimination and equal opportunities. It facilitates engagement with topics of recent and often heated debate, such as The Satanic Verses, Jerry Springer the Opera, and Behzti controversies; wearing the veil; religious representation in public life; faith schools and student religious societies in higher education; religious rights; gay rights; and the impact of 7/7 on multi-culturalism in the UK. With helpful features for students - such as study activities associated with the materials in each chapter; tasks and questions for discussion; a timeline of key events and developments; and bibliographical resources for further learning - this new companion to this fascinating area will be required reading.

Paul Weller is University REF and Research Student Academic Manager & Professor of Inter-Religious Relations at the University of Derby and Visiting Fellow in the Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture at Regent's Park College, University of Oxford, UK.

"This is essential background reading for anyone concerned about inter-faith relations in the UK. Whether you want an overview of the debate about religion in the public sphere, an analysis of the census data on religious affiliation, the background to the controversy over faith schools, the latest government directives on community cohesion, the recent history of blasphemy legislation, you will find the facts and figures, vast amounts of data, bibliography aplenty, and judicious analysis in Paul Weller's impressive and wonderfully useful handbook." Michael Barnes SJ, Heythrop College, University of London, UK "This book is a clear, thorough, well-researched and well-referenced overview of the religious situation in the United Kingdom today, authored by former Baptist minister and now Professor of Inter-Religious Relations at the University of Derby, Paul Weller." "...it is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to understand the reality of the religious scene in the UK." "One of its strengths is that it provides hard and up to date data, including about where different religions are concentrated, where their adherents came from, what age profiles different religions have and what the socio-economic profiles of various religions are. It all helps to build up a picture of the society in which we live." Stephen Heap, Baptist Times, July 2008. 'Analytically, Weller brings sharpness and clarity to areas that are frequently muddied by ambiguity... [His] publication authoritatively and succinctly offers readers carefully researched information and firmly grounded insights. The book provides an excellent introduction to issues raised by key aspects of the UK's current religious diversity. While teachers and students of courses on religions in contemporary society will find this book indispensable, its potential readership will include those engaged in social policy, religious studies and religious education, community relations and interfaith activity.' -- British Journal of Religious Education