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Volume 16
Issue 3
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Religions, Volume 16, Issue 3 (March 2025) – 6 articles

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18 pages, 873 KiB  
Article
Religious Governance in Interaction: Network Analysis of Public Management of Religion in Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
by Mariela Analía Mosqueira and Marcos Andrés Carbonelli
Religions 2025, 16(3), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030269 - 21 Feb 2025
Abstract
Despite the unchanged nature of the general regulatory framework, the last decade has witnessed the emergence of new forms of governance over religious affairs at the local and provincial levels in Buenos Aires (Argentina). These initiatives constitute, on the one hand, a response [...] Read more.
Despite the unchanged nature of the general regulatory framework, the last decade has witnessed the emergence of new forms of governance over religious affairs at the local and provincial levels in Buenos Aires (Argentina). These initiatives constitute, on the one hand, a response to the demands presented by religious groups that were once invisible and experiencing marked demographic growth. On the other hand, they are a way of integrating religious expertise into territorial governance strategies, given the structural ineffectiveness of public policies in locally grounding them. In view of this scenario, this article will present a network and dynamic analysis of the public management of religion at the local and intermediate levels in the province of Buenos Aires. Specifically, we will give an account of the genesis of these state units, as well as the profiles of the political decision makers who direct them and the interactions between local and provincial religious affairs officials in the period of 2022–2023. Based on these data, we will evaluate the levels of innovation that these regulations present with respect to the general normative framework and the limits and advantages that they postulate in the face of the question of religious citizenship. In methodological terms, this research combines the analysis of secondary sources, participant observation, in-depth interviews, and network analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Religious Diversity: Comparing and Contrasting Experiences across the World)
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19 pages, 424 KiB  
Article
From Virtue to Duty: Xunzi’s Gong-Yi 公義 and the Institutionalization of Public Obligation in Early Confucianism
by Yijia Huang
Religions 2025, 16(3), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030268 - 21 Feb 2025
Abstract
This paper challenges the conventional view that pre-Qin Confucianism represents kingly virtue politics that lacks institutional duty. By interpreting Xunzi’s notion of yi 義, particularly gong-yi 公義, as a form of public obligation, I show that Xunzi exposes yi to state institutions to [...] Read more.
This paper challenges the conventional view that pre-Qin Confucianism represents kingly virtue politics that lacks institutional duty. By interpreting Xunzi’s notion of yi 義, particularly gong-yi 公義, as a form of public obligation, I show that Xunzi exposes yi to state institutions to oblige people to serve public ends. While institutional duty is often associated with post-Enlightenment political philosophy, this paper argues that Xunzi’s philosophy offers a comparable framework of public–private exchange. Xunzi’s gong-yi may be a public-servicing sense of duty that combines moral and civic dimensions, compelling individuals to cooperate for the collective good. Unlike social contract theories that trade private rights with public duties, Xunzi’s system relies on moral compulsion and normative reciprocity. This system posits a sensible exchange between individual duties from inner compulsion for the public good. By contrasting gong 公 (the public) with si 私 (the private), Xunzi envisions the public as an entity that is serviced through public duties and a place for human flourishing. Positioning the role of gong-yi in Xunzi’s broader institutional project crystalizes this nascent concept of a “public” and its relationships with civic duties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethical Concerns in Early Confucianism)
16 pages, 283 KiB  
Article
Religious Discourse on Gender Identity: Freedom of Expression or Hate Speech? A European Perspective
by Montserrat Gas-Aixendri
Religions 2025, 16(3), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030267 - 21 Feb 2025
Abstract
This paper explores the complexities arising from the intersection of religious freedom and the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination, a pressing issue within the modern European landscape. It investigates these challenges by examining legal responses to religious speech linked to gender identity, [...] Read more.
This paper explores the complexities arising from the intersection of religious freedom and the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination, a pressing issue within the modern European landscape. It investigates these challenges by examining legal responses to religious speech linked to gender identity, particularly in cases categorized as hate speech under criminal law. Through an analysis of jurisprudence and relevant legal and institutional frameworks, the study highlights the risks of relying on criminal law to address such disputes, including potential misuse and overreach. It critically assesses the appropriateness and impact of criminal sanctions, noting their potential to deepen societal divisions and intensify polarization. Moving beyond punitive measures, the article advocates for alternative approaches to resolving these conflicts, emphasizing dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect as means to reduce tensions and build more inclusive communities. By integrating legal analysis with broader societal perspectives, this study makes a meaningful contribution to ongoing debates. It examines how fundamental rights can be effectively reconciled within pluralistic and democratic societies. Full article
14 pages, 235 KiB  
Article
Sheer Poison? Wittgenstein’s Philosophy of Religion
by Duncan Richter
Religions 2025, 16(3), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030266 - 21 Feb 2025
Abstract
Anscombe once said to Anthony Kenny that “On the topic of religion, Wittgenstein is sheer poison”. This paper offers an assessment of that view. I take it that Anscombe meant that Wittgenstein was a bad influence rather than that his views were necessarily [...] Read more.
Anscombe once said to Anthony Kenny that “On the topic of religion, Wittgenstein is sheer poison”. This paper offers an assessment of that view. I take it that Anscombe meant that Wittgenstein was a bad influence rather than that his views were necessarily false, although she seems to have been uncertain about what exactly his views were. In “Paganism, Superstition and Philosophy”, she identifies five ideas that make up “a certain current in philosophy which has a strong historical connection with Wittgenstein”. I identify some of the sources of these ideas, in Wittgenstein’s writing and in work by some of his followers, and consider what Anscombe’s objections to them might have been. I also look at whether we should think of these ideas as belonging either to Wittgenstein’s philosophy of religion or to his personal beliefs. This will involve some consideration of how far we can, or should try to, separate the personal from the philosophical. So far as he held objectionable views about religion, I argue that these ought to be considered personal rather than philosophical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Work on Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Religion)
12 pages, 301 KiB  
Article
Is Religion Personal or Social?—Reading Yanaihara Tadao’s “The Ideal of the State” (1937)
by Eun-Young Park and Do-Hyung Kim
Religions 2025, 16(3), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030265 - 21 Feb 2025
Abstract
The question, “Is religion personal or social?” prompts a profound reflection on the essence and role of religion. The personal and social aspects of religion are clearly inseparable and inherently complementary. However, in an era where the privatization of religion is increasingly prevalent, [...] Read more.
The question, “Is religion personal or social?” prompts a profound reflection on the essence and role of religion. The personal and social aspects of religion are clearly inseparable and inherently complementary. However, in an era where the privatization of religion is increasingly prevalent, if religion remains confined to providing psychological comfort or moral edification for individuals, it risks losing its fundamental meaning. In this context, Yanaihara’s case serves as a significant study of the dual nature of religion—both personal and social. Yanaihara argued that religion must play a pivotal role not only in individual salvation but also in advancing social responsibility and justice. While his faith was rooted in personal intuition, it led him to challenge the subordinate peace enforced by submission to strong state authority and to critique the wars waged under Japanese imperialism. This paper explores the role of religion and its responsibilities toward both individuals and society through an analysis of Yanaihara’s “The Ideal of the State”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sociological Study of Religion)
11 pages, 200 KiB  
Article
Nonreligious Self-Transcendent Experiences Occurred in Religious Contexts: A Reflection on Religion, Science, and Human Potential
by Linh Thi Thuy Nguyen
Religions 2025, 16(3), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16030264 - 20 Feb 2025
Abstract
Self-transcendence has been extensively studied and discussed among scholars, both theoretically and empirically. However, further academic inquiry into self-transcendent experiences (STEs), particularly their nature, religious implications, and spiritual benefits, is still needed. This paper undertakes a qualitative exploration of the topic, phenomenologically analyzing [...] Read more.
Self-transcendence has been extensively studied and discussed among scholars, both theoretically and empirically. However, further academic inquiry into self-transcendent experiences (STEs), particularly their nature, religious implications, and spiritual benefits, is still needed. This paper undertakes a qualitative exploration of the topic, phenomenologically analyzing the author’s first-person STEs within Buddhist and Christian contexts. In addition to personal journals and reflections, the dataset includes email exchanges with and reports to supervisors, as well as comparative insights drawn from testimonies shared by individuals of various religious backgrounds. The findings suggest that while religion may sometimes inhibit its adherents from experiencing STEs, it can also serve as a catalyst for such experiences among nonreligious individuals. Furthermore, the universal nature of STEs, which transcends cultural and religious boundaries, has the potential to promote interfaith dialogue and provide a theoretical framework for fostering religious harmony. Data on STEs could also act as a bridge connecting science with other forms of human knowledge, enabling shared discourse and offering a complementary perspective for understanding the world. Finally, a proposed mechanism of STEs highlights their role in achieving lifelong peace by balancing physical and mental needs, while also offering insights to help individuals maximize their potential and lead fulfilling lives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religious and Theological Interactions in East Asia: Issues, Channels and Impact)
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