Christianity: belief, politics and culture
- Submission status
- Open
- Submission deadline
The Christian population has almost quadrupled in the last century. There are currently 2.6 billion Christians worldwide, accounting for approximately one third of the global population; by 2050, the number is expected to exceed 3 billion.
Today, approximately a quarter of all Christians live in Europe, more than a third in the Americas, and a quarter in sub-Saharan Africa, and one in eight in Asia and the Pacific. This global distribution means that no single continent or region can now be considered the centre of global Christianity. Within the Christian community, of course, there is widespread theological and therefore cultural diversity—approximately, half are Roman Catholic, a third Protestant, and one in ten Orthodox.
Historically, it can be argued, the spread of Christianity transformed not just the West, but in many senses the entire world. Today, even as many societies become more secular and religious attendance drops, Christian principles continue to shape people’s ideas and define common values. Recent years have seen the emergence, particularly in parts of Europe and the US of more strident ‘cultural’ and ‘political’ Christianity — that is, the expression of Christianity as a ‘cultural identifier’ — in parallel to a continued rise in secular liberalism.
This Collection welcomes research of all types that considers Christianity as experienced and lived by its adherents, but also how Christian principles, ethics and belief continue to shape and characterise politics and culture. This includes the role and influence of Christianity and Christian organisations in public life, education, healthcare, welfare, and overseas development. Perspectives are also welcomed that examine different Christian denominations and sub-cultures, interfaith dynamics, cultural contexts, tensions between progressive and traditionalist ideologies, relationships between believers and non-believers, and historical analyses.
Research is welcomed from all areas of the humanities, and social and behavioural sciences.
