The internet can be an over-whelming place, so here at William Temple Foundation we’re helping to streamline your surfing by gathering together a succinct collection of some of our favourite online resources devoted to various aspects of religion and public life. Below, we share our top 15 websites on religion and public life including places to find news, research, opinion pieces, and events.
Of course this list is not exhaustive, so if we’ve missed any great websites on religion and public life, let us know by adding a link in the comment section at the bottom of this post.
Happy browsing!
Religion News Service (RNS)
A one-stop shop for up-to-date religion news, ranging from the serious to the decidedly silly. The daily RNS ‘Slingshot’ collects everything you need to know in one email and delivers it fresh to your inbox. Whilst much of the news is USA focused, the bigger (and funnier) international stories also make the cut. One of our very favourite websites on religion and public life.
In the online version of this print magazine you’ll find fresh young voices writing comment pieces and longer, in-depth research articles. It is edited and mostly written by British post-graduate students and their efforts to create a magazine delivering informed and in-depth coverage of religious issues deserves our support.
A relatively new kid on the block, Religious Reader is a project of the interfaith organisation Faith Matters. The website offers a collection of mostly British faith-based news and aims to promote pluralism whilst support social action.
A great resources for academic types, this hub for the International Sociology Association (the RC22 of the title relates to the research committee for the sociology of religion) brings together calls for papers, job opportunities, conferences, funding etc. on religion and public life, from around the world.
In true Huff Post style, expect big, bold photographs and attention grabbing headlines. Delve a little deeper however, and you’ll find an enriching mix of news and blog posts, often featuring topics and stories you simply won’t find in other mainstream media outlets.
This think tank’s website offers news on their activities, research and events. The section we find especially useful however, is the media monitoring section, which collects all of the religion news stories featured in the British press to one handy webpage.
The blog section of Jim Wallis’ Sojourners website offers timely Christian comment on issues related to politics, faith-based action and social justice.
If you’re not able to attend the highly engaging Westminster Faith Debates, it’s reassuring to know that high-quality, carefully edited recordings of each debate is available online. This extensive collection of videos, featuring some of the UK’s top thinkers, makes this a great resources and a top website for religion and public life.
The folks at Pew are not only leading researchers focused on religion and public life, they’re also highly adept at demonstrating their results through snappy overviews and eye-catching graphics. Their surveys tend to be US-centric, but there’s enough from elsewhere to keep researchers from around the world happy.
Here’s something a little different! For religious commentary on the go, why not download this regular podcast, billed as a thought-provoking radio show for people of faith, and for those intrigued by the spiritual dimensions of life.
One of the very best (probably!) websites for intelligent, articulate and well-constructed arguments on issues of religion and public life. Curated by the University of Southern California, US domestic issues and policies feature heavily, but there’s lots more besides.
Perhaps we could call Public Spirit the UK’s answer to Religious Dispatches (above). The well-laid out site describes itself as offering spirited debate about religion and public policy. The website has been rather quiet since mid-January however… but their archive material is still worth browsing.
Launched in 2014, this online magazine covers ‘All things Catholic’ and rather more besides. A user-friendly interface, classy design and stories added on a daily basis, make this website a winner!
This multi-authored blog gives voice to newly emerging young faith leaders and interfaith advocates. For hard-hitting opinion pieces and personal religious reflections, you’ve come to the right place.
OK, yes, we apologise for our bias, but we’re very proud of the diverse and engaging blog posts, lecture recordings and exclusive interviews you can find on our website. We hope you’ll check it out.
Did we miss a great website on religion and public life? Let us know by commenting below.
You might also like:
Follow us on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook
6 Comments
Peter W Nimmo
01/04/2015 15:47
You ought to have includedhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/
Fr. Irving Hamer
01/04/2015 15:47
Can I recommend another blog site. It is
——————————————————————————–
http://www.lorrainecavanagh.net
http://jobbingtheologian.blogspot.com/
It really is well worth reading Dr Cavanagh, as she says on the intro to her blog
Lorraine Cavanagh
Lorraine Cavanagh, Christian Spirituality, from the edge
Opening doors and removing barriers to receiving God’s love. Creating new paths in the wilderness of modern anxiety, guilt and drivenness.
If you are beginning to sense a need for Jesus Christ in your life but would like to meet him privately first, this site is for you.
In my time as a university chaplain, and as a priest, I have encountered many people who are at a crossroads in their life or on their faith journey. They have needed a private place in which to develop their personal relationship with God.
This site ministers in a similar way. It exists for people who are on a journey and who may be looking for a place within one of the many rooms in God’s house.
Jim McManus
01/04/2015 15:47
Hi
I would add two to this list
http://www.faithaction.net/ who do an amazing job, though as someone on their Advisory Board I am biased
And http://www.catholicsocialteaching.org.uk/ which I know has had an impact on senior people in public life from politicians to senior public officials. This website informs my work and is a tremendous resource
Jessica McFarling
01/04/2015 15:47
Thanks to Jim McManus for recommending FaithAction:
FaithAction is a leading network for faith and community based organisations involved in social action. With over 2000 network members from nine major faith groups, it provides resources, news and training, and acts as a connector between government and grassroots organisations.
FaithAction delivers the government-funded Creative English programme through regional partners, and has run two grant giving programmes. It is part of the Department of Health Voluntary Sector Strategic Partnership, representing the ‘faith voice’ to health policy makers and supporting faith groups to improve the health of marginalised communities.
FaithAction is also the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Faith and Society, which has developed the Faith Covenant to help local authorities and faith groups work better together – already adopted by Birmingham and Leeds City Councils, with more ready to sign soon.
Paul Regan
01/04/2015 15:47
I particularly like Centre for Theology & Community – http://www.theology-centre.org
Based in the east end of London, it follows the tradition of Community Organising examining the Biblical and theological underpinning of this methodology. Closely connected to CitizensUK, it has been involved in practical action on Living Wage and JustMoney working to end usurious pay day lending and strengthen the Credit Union movement. Canon Angus Ritchie is the director
Geoff Knott
01/04/2015 15:47
I’d second Centre for Theology and Community. Very practical applications.
Also I’d add Word on the Streets http://www.wordonthestreets.net which brings together blogs with a Kingdom focus. Since I edit this site among other things I’m biased…
Discuss this