In Canada, the social, spiritual and communal value of local worshipping congregations has long been accepted. The value that Canadians place on these organizations is reflected in their charitable ...status and the tax-free benefits this affords. But with increasing costs, and governments at all levels needing to mine new sources of revenue, there is increasing pressure from some segments of Canadian society to reduce or eliminate this charitable status. Drawing on data from the Halo Canada project, the author puts forward a socio-economic case for maintaining the charitable status of places of worship, suggesting that the socio-economic or Halo Effect of congregations outweighs the benefits of government taxation by more than ten times.
The secular city Cox, Harvey
2013., 20130908, 2013, 2013-09-08
eBook
Since its initial publication in 1965,The Secular Cityhas been hailed as a classic for its nuanced exploration of the relationships among the rise of urban civilization, the decline of hierarchical, ...institutional religion, and the place of the secular within society. Now, half a century later, this international best seller remains as relevant as when it first appeared. The book's arguments--that secularity has a positive effect on institutions, that the city can be a space where people of all faiths fulfill their potential, and that God is present in both the secular and formal religious realms--still resonate with readers of all backgrounds.
For this brand-new edition, Harvey Cox provides a substantial and updated introduction. He reflects on the book's initial stunning success in an age of political and religious upheaval and makes the case for its enduring relevance at a time when the debates thatThe Secular Cityhelped ignite have caught fire once again.
In celebrating a quarter of a century of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URSCA) (1994 2019), quite a few well-organised activities and events took place. These activities reflect a ...mix of serious academic seminars and liturgical celebrations of which the ones in the Cape, both in Belhar and at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) warrant special mention. In his sermon based on John 17 at the closing liturgical celebration at UWC, Prof Daan Cloete raised several pertinent issues pertaining to unity and justice as a challenge to the leadership of URCSA. Despite all the significant events taking place throughout the year (2019), there has been a major deficit. Attempts at serious historiography are few and far between. This book is an attempt at starting such a study process. However, to put it modestly to contribute to the writing of the history of the URCSA. It has been resolved to start right at the beginning: the founding synod of URCSA with a specific focus on the constituting moderature. The book discusses the issues that were looming large at the founding Synod in 1994 which captures the ‘miracle’ and the euphoria that emerged amidst some delicate matters and issues that would have posed some serious impediments that would have jeopardise the unification before it even started. In calling into service the pastoral or praxis cycle the contributions of the first moderature of URCSA: Rev Nick Apollis (moderator), Rev Leonardo Appies (Scriba Synodii) Rev Dr Sam Buti (Assessor) and Rev JD Buys (Actuaris), of the 1994 General Synod elections are presented in this book. The authors were interested in answering the question: In what way did the moderature members of URCSA assist in the transformation of church and society? The book showcases, how not only systems and structures are essential in transformation processes, but people - who take up the task in obedience and servitude.
Heroic Hearts examines how young women in
nineteenth-century France, authorized by a widespread cultural
discourse that privileged individual authority over domesticity and
marriage, sought to change ...the world. Jennifer J. Popiel offers a
recuperative reading of sentimental authority, especially in its
relationship to religious vocabulary. Heroic Hearts
uncovers the ways sentimental appeals authorized women to trust
themselves as modern actors for a project of cultural restoration.
With their emphasis on sacrifice and heroism, these cultural
currents offered liberatory potential. Heroic Hearts
examines not only general cultural currents but their adoption by
particular women, each of whom was privileged with access to money
and social influence. The words of three extraordinary women,
Philippine Duchesne, Pauline Jaricot, and Zélie Martin, offer
powerful testimony to their agency. These women's rejection of
"traditional" domesticity, believed to be a formative influence for
their class, demonstrates how women understood the imperative to
change the world outside of their natural families. Their writings,
which demonstrate the appeal of sentimental virtue, show us how
women's public lives could exist not in opposition to prevailing
religious and social ideals but because of them.
PDF
