bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DO I CALL YOU FATHER?
Authors: Dyer Janet
Published: March 2015

The author writes as an Anglican woman, ordained by the Scottish Episcopal church as deacon and later as priest, at a time when the controversy over female ordination was at its height. She describes the spectrum of reactions which she encountered, as church people, often painfully, reviewed their often deeply held beliefs and attitudes. The story is told largely in the light of the author’s experience as a hospital chaplain: a ministry which can sometimes be viewed by some as less complete than that of the parish clergy. And so, as a woman, ordained, and a chaplain, she understands well the feelings of being on the margins. She describes coping with the tensions between perceived pastoral need and ecclesiastical correctness which can arise in hospital, complicated by her own peculiarly exposed situation. The hurt, the anger are there, but the tone is ultimately positive and hopeful. Her ministry has been as liberating and affirming as it has been costly and challenging.
CARING FOR ‘SPITTING SID’
Authors: Hargreaves Eric
Published: March 2015

The author writes matter-of-factly but movingly about life with Paul, his adopted son, who was vaccine damaged at an early age. He describes the devastating consequences of this damage, not only for Paul, who was left very severely epileptic, but also for the whole family. There is much in this article which hints at the anger, the frustration, the isolation and the hurt occasioned by those, healthcare professionals included, who seem to lack the time or the will to understand and to empathise; this is balanced by a down to earth practicality, a dogged persistence in the task of caring, and a sense that in many a situation there can be a redeeming element of humour. The article gives an insight into the cost, for a particular family, of caring for one of its members, and of retaining that responsibility and privilege, with professional support, for as long as possible.
TEACHING SPIRITUAL CARE TO NURSES
Authors: Grosvenor Dorothy
Published: March 2015

This paper explores the reason why spiritual care is recommended for nurses by discussing two main pieces of nursing research on spiritual care. This is related to Judaeo- Christian teaching and related issues of gender and the body/mind/spirit split in western culture and the effect of this on bodily care in nursing. If there is a case for teaching spiritual care separate from bodily care the difficult questions are who should teach it and what should be taught which is separate from cultural care as already addressed.
DOES THE CAUSE OF DEATH INFLUENCE HOW PHYSICIANS INFORM PARENTS OF THEIR CHILDREN’S DEATHS?
Authors: Grossoehme Daniel , Kempf Jeffrey
Published: March 2015

An uncontrolled prospective observational study was conducted to record the interaction of Emergency Department physicians in cases of trauma and possible Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths, to determine whether the manner of death influences whether physicians immediately deliver news of a child’s death to the parents or whether the physician first asks questions of the parents. Physicians immediately delivered news of the child’s death in three-quarters of the cases at our centre. The presence of other professionals appeared to influence physician behaviour. The sample size limits the conclusions to be drawn, but room for improvement is noted. Chaplains are in a position to teach other staff.
ORGAN RETENTION
Authors: Coutts Fred , Nelson Georgina
Published: March 2015

The following article arises out of an interview with Fred Coutts from the chaplaincy department of the Grampian University Hospitals, which includes Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. Fred describes a recent period of crisis in the life of the hospital, and how during this period, the chaplaincy department was able to provide a service to both hospital and community. By the nature of their training and day to day work, the chaplains were perhaps uniquely well able to provide this service.
WORKING WITH BEREAVED PARENTS
Authors: Seabury Shirley , Nelson Georgina
Published: March 2015

Shirley Seabury is a bereavement counsellor working within West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust. She has extensive experience with parents whose baby has been stillborn or has died shortly after birth. In the following article, Shirley reflects upon her role, and adds her own perspective in the light of the publicity surrounding the retention of organs at AlderHey, and in Scotland, the McLean Report.
DEVELOPING THE APPROACH TO POSTMORTEM PRACTICE
Authors: Johnston Peter
Published: March 2015

There is potential to improve the management of death and bereavement in acute hospitals and an opportunity to do so. The author suggests ways in which improvements might be brought forward, with particular reference to education of health care professionals and the public about the role and value of the postmortem. Reform of the consent process for autopsy to include the opportunity of involvement of pathologists at an early stage is proposed. The provision of the chance for relatives to receive feedback of postmortem data again with pathologist input is also suggested in tandem with the offer of bereavement counselling for grieving families. The potential value of the postmortem in managing bereavement should be studied. It is acknowledged that such intervention could be costly in resource terms, but if value can be discerned, it may well be worthwhile.
LEAP OF FAITH?
Authors: Brown Derek
Published: March 2015

This article is based on research undertaken for the degree of Doctor of Ministry. Its focus is the investigation of two phenomena raised by members of hospice staff as impediments to the delivery of spiritual care. These are the problems of discerning the spiritual aspect of interventions with patients, and the apprehension staff feel in being faced with the prospect of meeting those needs for which they consider themselves unprepared. These two phenomena were tested by sharing with staff, six pastoral conversations and recording the degree to which they were able to pick up the spiritual content of the conversation. The research discovered that staff, although highly motivated, do not always have the confidence or the knowledge to address the spiritual needs of patients at an appropriate level of sophistication.
Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care in a Children's Hospice
Authors: Gilchrist Kay
Published: March 2015

Kay Gilchrist, chaplain at Scotland’s children’s hospice, Rachel House, gives us a frank and personal insight into chaplaincy and spiritual care in this specialised field and setting. Reflecting on the atmosphere in the hospice, her own personal gifts, experiences and development, and the different needs of patients and their families, we are given a unique look into this special place and experience. Holding to a traditional understanding of faith in the face of the challenging questions of children is not easy. We discover each child needs an individual response, and often one that is personal and innovative
ORGAN DONATION
Authors: Thomson Lynne
Published: March 2015

In 2000 the number of organ transplants performed fell by 3% while the waiting list numbers rose by 2%. The human consequence of these statistics is that because of the shortage of organs more people who are in need of a transplant are dying. There is no one single reason to why this is happening with the result that the solution may be complex. One initiative to improve the current situation with regards organ donation is a change to legislation, to move from the current system where-by the views of the next of kin are sought prior to donation, to one where consent will be presumed unless the deceased has registered an objection during their lifetime.
TOTAL PAIN
Authors: Sugden Chris
Published: March 2015

Through two distinctive case studies the author illustrates the complex nature of total pain. He describes how the physical, psychological social and spiritual elements of what it is to be human are so intertwined that they need the skills of a team of gifted professionals to help the patient and the family in their suffering. The discussion explores the pitfalls for professionals who retreat into their professional boundaries, and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach.
CHAPLAINCY VOLUNTEER VISITORS SERVICE
Authors: Bond Sheilah
Published: March 2015

In the ever changing world of healthcare, hospitals are experiencing shorter stays, and increased patient throughput. Spiritual care has also seen a marked rise in profile and chaplains are increasingly seeing fewer patients for more in depth work, often in a crisis, and find themselves increasingly responding to referrals from other members of staff. Add to that increasing opportunities to teach and its not surprising new approaches need to be developed Gillian Munro explains the development of a chaplaincy volunteer visitor service as one approach to change, and three visitors tell us of their experiences.
INTEGRATING SPIRITUAL CARE AND CHAPLAINCY WITHIN PALLIATIVE CARE
Authors: Chaplin Jacquelyn , Mitchell David
Published: March 2015

Within the field of palliative care recent years have seen a marked increase in chaplaincy provision, and a widening debate on how all healthcare professionals have the potential to provide spiritual care. This article gives a summary of a study day that brought together a wide range of healthcare professionals from hospices and hospitals in Scotland to discuss ways to integrate spiritual care and chaplaincy into the current settings and practice of palliative care. It draws conclusions and offers local and national agendas to take initiatives forward and sets challenges for the host organisation The Association of Hospice Chaplains in Scotland
RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHIATRY
Authors: Brown Tom
Published: March 2015

A psychiatrist reflects upon his long experience of the complex interaction between religion and psychiatry. Although committed to the advances brought by the bio medical approach to illness, he identifies a widespread neglect of the Spiritual in mental health care, which belies its claim to be truly holistic. The article discusses the concept of spiritual illness and the limits of psychiatry, and then poses the question whether religious belief is good for a person’s mental health. In his conclusion the author, himself a Christian, underlines the need for psychiatry to have the fullest possible understanding of the patient’s world view, and that this will necessarily involve a consideration of the importance of the Spiritual.
REJECTED AND ABANDONED
Authors: Zelentsov Yuri
Published: March 2015

In this article we get a unique insight into healthcare chaplaincy in Russia. The author gives us a moving personal insight into his work among children, teenagers and expectant mothers, mostly with HIV. He describes what the word ‘chaplain’ means to people, his daily work and experiences, the difficulties and the blessings. He concludes with a moving ‘wish list’ that illustrates the stark differences between Scottish and Russian experiences of healthcare.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Authors: Beuken George
Published: March 2015

This article seeks to explore the richness of meaning contained within the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. In circumstances where a person receiving palliative care is struggling against illness, the sacrament supports them in that struggle, and yet points beyond it towards a gradual acceptance of powerlessness. The author explores the themes of powerlessness and hope, and describes a powerlessness out of which hope may spring, because it is an entering into Christ’s own experience. It becomes therefore a prelude to resurrection hope. The sacrament of the sick encourages and engenders this hope, which is wider than the individual, and extends to the whole body of Christ. The sacrament is also an invitation to action; to a caring, a solidarity in suffering and a compassion which imply a deeper sharing in the very life of Christ.
Managing Chaplaincy Service Delivery
Authors: Johnson Chris
Published: March 2015

Audit, accountability and clinical performance all form what is now understood in the National Health Service (NHS) as Clinical Governance (CG) and it has profound implications for all who work in the NHS including Chaplains. CG is something they will need to comprehend and implement. This paper seeks to describe the service the Chaplaincy provides, our customers are identified, as are the difficulties of assessing whether or not we can/are delivering a quality service. I consider what criteria/performance indicators I would be looking for from an economical, efficient and effective Chaplaincy department. Then as a “customer facing organisation”, I explain some of the difficulties of finding out what our customers think of our service/role and cite examples of surveys from other Trusts.
Off the Edge?
Authors: Ward Michael
Published: March 2015

In the light of the recent Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) Guidelines, the author examines the validity of the late Tom Scott’s “peripheral stance” of institutional chaplaincy, with specific reference to contemporary healthcare chaplaincy. Scott’s views are discussed in the context of the premise of secularisation. By drawing on Gill’s critique of Hauerwas, the author cites recent events in the aftermath of the Alder Hey inquiry to claim that healthcare chaplaincy can be defined as a central activity: one that is socially significant and capable of influencing society. By redefining chaplaincy as a form of “community church” (Moltmann), the author concludes that the question of the precise locus of chaplaincy is transcended by adopting a “double strategy” that enables chaplaincy to maintain an authentic Christian presence but at the heart of the hospital community.
Chaplains Perceptions of Supervision
Authors: Moore Andrew , Levison Chris
Published: March 2015

Several professional groups have effectively incorporated supervision into their everyday practice. Chaplains as a ‘caring’ profession cannot be immune from the personal effects of engaging in pastoral relationships with patients, carers and staff. Clearly, Chaplains require adequate support to prevent ‘burnout’ and stress. This paper explores Chaplains perceptions of supervision using a focus group methodology. The emerging themes from the findings provide a valuable insight into the perceptions and attitudes of chaplains towards the concept of supervision. In particular, Chaplains view supervision as a necessary part of their professional practice.
Conference Report
Authors: Nelson Georgina
Published: March 2015

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Holy Plot or Common Ground?
Authors: Middleton Ivan
Published: March 2015

Writing from a humanist perspective, the author argues that the right of the patient to receive spiritual care from someone who shares the same philosophy of life must be respected. The ‘religious’ chaplain should no longer be expected to act as ‘jack of all trades’. The task of the chaplaincy is not to bring people to God, but to help them find comfort or meaning. The author welcomes the fact that the NHS HDL (2002)76 Guidelines suggest no bar to humanists undergoing training as hospital chaplains.
Ministry Behind a Mask
Authors: Pierce Bruce
Published: March 2015

The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which occurred in Canada, notably Toronto, in spring 2003 gave rise to two responses which together have profoundly affected the healthcare environment:_ stringent infection control measures, and fear of an unknown enemy. From his perspective as chaplain resident at Toronto General Hospital, the author describes the chaplaincy response to the ‘new normal’ in hospital life. He identifies the problems created, and stresses the need to adapt to a new healthcare environment ‘behind the mask’.
Dealing with Failure in Palliative Care
Authors: Downs Fiona
Published: March 2015

In this article failure is considered from general, political and financial perspectives, Technological failure is discussed and educational, organizational and communicational failures are identified. In a Hospice setting, corporate staff failures are explored and the more painful personal and spiritual failures at the patient/carer interface are examined.
"PARTNERS IN SERVICE TO GOD"
Authors: Ward Michael
Published: March 2015

The author argues that "spiritual" approaches in healthcare are based on a Cartesian dualist outlook that is outdated in a Maxwellian-Einsteinian cosmology. A review of the history of medicine exacerbates the dichotomy between the physical and spiritual aspects of human nature. Thus modern healing has ceased to be seen as religious. An examination of scientific method suggests that modern science is more congenial to Christian theology than is supposed by Bradshaw and other proponents of spiritual care. Torrance's doctrine of man is used as an example of how a modern scientific method allows us to regain a proper understanding of the mystery and uniqueness of humanity. The author argues that Torrance's reconstructed natural theology of man allows healthcare professionals to view each other as complimentary, thus allowing a return to true holistic healthcare.
WORLDS APART?
Authors: Macritchie Iain
Published: March 2015

Starting with a personal account of his own experience as a Hospital Chaplain, working in both the psychiatric and acute sectors of health care, Iain Macritchie makes observations, and draws some comparisons between these two areas of Chaplaincy. Healthcare Chaplaincy, in general, is seen as a dialogue between faith and suffering. The differences between acute and mental health Chaplaincy are highlighted by examining the nature of the theology and of the suffering in either case.
UNFIT TO BE UNFIT?
Authors: Stoddart Eric
Published: March 2015

Molly offers me a handful to sweets from her copious bed-side supply. She is evidently over-weight and the complicity of her family offers little hope that she will shed the tens of kilograms that are inhibiting her recovery. Who am I to say 'no thanks' if that merely compounds my inner disdain at her failure to make healthy choices? This paper invites us to reflect on a Christian contribution to the debate on healthy lifestyle choices that the Scottish Executive and NHS Scotland are cur-rently promoting. How do we make a theologically-informed response to those who make unhealthy lifestyle choices? Where does personal responsibility and autonomy fit when our choices have fiscal implications for the wider community? Can we legitimately stigmatise people who fail to comply with others' model of health? To what extent does a Christian perspective clash with the ultimate value that the healthy lifestyle debate seems to place upon life? By exploring Christian ideas of humanity and shared non-innocence we aim to identify key responses that might enhance the contemporary practice of health promotion.
From ‘Pastoral Contacts' to ‘Pastoral Interventions'
Authors: Carey Lindsay , Cobb Mark , Equeall David
Published: March 2015

This research collates statistical results of pastoral care contacts undertaken at the Sheffield Northern General Hospital and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital over a twelve month period. The data was found to provide an important overview of chaplaincy work that can be used for future pastoral care management and developing better data collection and quality assurance measurements. The data was subsequently categorised using the World Health Organization (WHO) Pastoral Intervention (PI) Codings to explore the use of a newly developed universal coding system that might allow national and international data collection and comparison. Overall the data from the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' pastoral data base was found to be easily transferable to the WHO PI codings. This report of the research offers recommendations for recording chaplaincy activity that at present is unrecorded and by doing so might reflect a more accurate picture of the role and demands of chaplaincy services.
REGISTRATION OF CHAPLAINS
Authors: Birrell John
Published: March 2015

A former representative for Scotland on the Council of the College of Health Care Chaplain (CHCC), and while in post, chair of the CHCC Professional Services and Registration Group, reflects on the questions, issues and process of professional registration for healthcare chaplains.
Nurses
Authors: Grosvenor Dorothy
Published: March 2015

This article discusses the outcomes of a doctoral study into why nurses are asked to give spiritual care to patients. Tensions between bodily nursing care and spiritual care were explored in semi-structured interviews with eighteen experienced nurses. Interview materials were interpreted within feminist frameworks of caring and spiritualities as patriarchal constructions rooted in Christianities. Themes of nursing care described as spiritual demonstrated that body/spirit dualisms persisted despite secularisms. However, since spiritual care remained a confused and nebulous concept, how the addition of spiritual care by nurses will remedy the stresses and distressed described in the study is questioned.
Bahá'í approach to spirituality
Authors: Taheri Sepideh
Published: March 2015

This article is a brief examination of the meaning of spirituality, as gleaned from the Bahá'í writings. Familiar terms such as human nature, the human soul, and the mind are defined from basic principles and the potential powers of the human soul are discussed. The relationship of the human soul to God and the indispensable role of the Founders of the great religions as the primary link in this relationship are elucidated. The Word of God has unique transforming effect on human hearts and alone has the ability to awaken the human soul to express its potential. The purpose of becoming spiritually conscious is for humanity to prepare itself for the life beyond, which is eternal. Such a soul will achieve true happiness and liberty in this life and will, moreover, be motivated to translate that consciousness into constructive deeds for the betterment of humanity.
Ageing, Spirituality and Health
Authors: Mowat Harriet
Published: March 2015

This paper takes the view that old age is a spiritual journey. It suggests that a primary task for the carer is to support this spiritual journey into old age. The spiritual development of the older person is also assisted by an appropriate societal context, hospitable to this view of the ageing process. Thus older people may be encouraged to retain a sense of self, of meaning and of integrity. The article explores the various discourses through which ageing is understood, and discusses the implications for health and social care services of the ‘spiritual journey' discourse.
Chaplains working in a hospice palliative care team recount the spiritual challenges at the end-of-life
Authors: Mcafee Caroline , Cochrane Barbara , Waldron Mary , Hasson Felicity , Kernohan George
Published: March 2015

As part of an on-going review of service provision for Hospice adult patients, six chaplains were interviewed to elicit their views and experiences of meeting spiritual needs within a multidisciplinary palliative care team. Interviews were taped: transcribed and common themes were identified. The chaplains highlighted many positive aspects of their work, recognising their role as one of service to the patients. They emphasised the importance of teamwork, both within the chaplaincy service and throughout the wider palliative care team. Negative aspects of working in palliative care were also identified, such as compassion fatigue. Chaplains need special coping skills and ongoing support in their work. They must recognise and obtain resources for patients from other world faith communities.
3rd Day People
Authors: Chatterley Marion
Published: March 2015

A diagnosis of HIV no longer implies a rapid progression to AIDS and to inevitable death. From the perspective of her work in Edinburgh, the author describes how the work of chaplaincy has changed in response. It now seeks to offer ongoing spiritual and pastoral support, in a variety of settings, to those living with HIV, and to their various communities within Scotland.
Standards for NHS Scotland Chaplaincy Services
Authors: Levison Chris , Bullock Katy
Published: March 2015

A scoping group established by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and the Healthcare Chaplaincy Training and Development Unit, (HCTDU, now part of NHS Education for Scotland (NES)) was asked to scope awareness and provision of Spiritual Care in NHS Scotland. The group produced a report covering a survey and literature research. Following a seminar May 2005 in which this report was discussed along with some current research, a further group began work on chaplaincy service standards. A consultation conference held on 27 th June 2006 brought much support and many comments on the standards document. Despite some hesitation in trying to measure things spiritual, these standards should be a useful audit tool and an aid for future work on competencies and help development towards national standards or good practice statements on spiritual and religious care in NHS Scotland.
'Life on the ocean wave!'
Authors: Langlands Cameron
Published: March 2015

The Tidal Model is a holistic approach to healthcare. It focuses on the personal journey, using the metaphor of a sea voyage. The journey may at times feature storms, breakdown, rehabilitation and recovery. This article describes how the model may be creatively used by chaplains and other members of the healthcare team working with those coping with mental distress and HIV.
'Sacred Starfish': The Church of Scotland's HIV/AIDS Project
Authors: McMahon John
Published: March 2015

The Church of Scotland's HIV/AIDS Project is concerned with practical, person centred care of those affected by HIV/AIDS in many parts of the world. It aims to offer solidarity and practical support, through partnership with those at the grassroots. The author describes his recent experience as part of a Partners' Consultation Conference held in Limuru, Kenya.
Misconceptions of the Religious ‘Other’
Authors: Barker Eileen
Published: March 2015

In a world in which we are faced with an ever-increasing religious diversity, the underlying assumption of this paper is that logical thought combined with accurate and reliable knowledge can make a significant contribution to the reduction of conflicts that arise through fallacious arguments and through both ignorance and misinformation of the beliefs and practices of religions other than one’s own. The paper summarizes some of the challenges of religious pluralism, demonstrating how tensions can arise and be exacerbated through the construction of negative images of ‘the other’, and outlines some of the common misconceptions that have led to conflicts and the abuse of the human rights of members of minority religions.
Rune-Gild
Authors: Granholm Kennet
Published: March 2015

The focus of this article is the Rune-Gild, a rune magical group founded in Texas, USA, in 1980, and which has variously been described as a Heathen, a Traditionalist, and a Left-Hand Path organization. The influence of these three esoteric currents on the Gild is examined, as is the issue of how they intermix to fit a common frame of reference. The article argues that describing a complex movement such as the Rune-Gild in a singular fashion, by referencing to only one of these currents, involves the risk of providing a one-sided and ultimately inaccurate depiction. Instead, a description involving a thorough examination of all major influences is required, and this in turn makes it necessary for the scholar to achieve a high-level historical familiarity with a broad range of Western religious phenomena.
Children in New Religions
Authors: Van Eck Duymaer van Twist Amanda
Published: March 2015

New religious movements (NRMs) often have a marginal position in society, for a variety of reasons. This is generally accepted within diverse democracies as long as the groups consist of law-abiding consenting adults. But once children are involved the social dynamics are likely to change as a result of contested duties of care. Parents have a right to raise their children within their religion, while state authorities have a responsibility towards minors within their jurisdiction. This article highlights some of the main concerns about children in NRMs, focusing on teachings and practices relating to health and education within movements that chose relative seclusion.
How old is the Wine? Ningen Zen Ky?dan and the Formation of Lay Zen Practice in Modern Japan
Authors: Joskovich Erez
Published: March 2015

This article explores the development of the contemporary model of ‘lay Zen’ that is nowadays prevalent in Japan as well as in the West. The main question that this article considers is ‘How was the Zen narrative and ideology modified to fit contemporary society?’ By following the development of Ningen Zen ky?dan, a modern Japanese Zen organization, the article will illustrate the ways in which Zen doctrines and practices were molded and reshaped to meet the rapidly changing life circumstances in modern Japanese society. This paper suggests that such notions and practices evolved as part of an attempt to modernize Buddhism, as well as a cultural and religious response of Japanese Zen to challenges posed, inter alia, by modern Western thought. Such statements raise the question – is it still ‘authentic’ Zen? Should this be considered a new phenomenon, or is it “old wine in new bottles”?
Coaching a Healthy Lifestyle
Authors: Ståhle Göran Viktor
Published: March 2015

This article is a case study of practitioners of Ayurvedic health counselling in Stockholm, Sweden. The focus is on the practitioners’ ways of presenting their practice. It is found that the practice is construed as a form of coaching, where life style advice is primary in relation to different remedies and medicaments. The majority of the clients suffer from vague, stress-related complaints, problems that “fall through” the conventional health care system. The primary cause of these problems are attributed to imbalances that are created by the fast pace in the Western society of today. Discourse analysis is used to interpret how this implies a positioning of the practitioners as a part of a holistic health milieu.
Disaffiliation Among Scientologists
Authors: Tuxen Rubin Elisabeth
Published: March 2015

Far too little literature focuses on the phenomenon of disaffiliation/apostasy, in particular when it comes to research on the exit process, the post-exit adjustment period, and what becomes of the apostates and their faith or lack thereof. In the contemporary sociology of religion it is a general perception that loss of faith is one of the primary reasons why individuals leave religious movements. However this assumption lacks an empirical foundation. This article highlights some of the conclusions derived from a study of a large group of Danish ex-Scientologists, with emphasis on their religious behaviour and attitudes immediately following their exit and, for some, more than 20 years later. Surprisingly, this study found that disaffiliated Scientologists were in fact still practising Scientology.
Art of Living
Authors: Tøllefsen Inga
Published: March 2015

This article investigates the Art of Living movement both globally and locally, focusing especially on the movement in Norway, and in its founding country India. Art of Living is localized as a New Religious Movement (NRM) within the larger framework of Hinduism and contemporary new religiosity. I trace the movement’s key practices and the courses and initiatives they offer, as well as presenting a short biography of the movement’s founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. A selection of the most important legitimization strategies utilized by the Art of Living are discussed, along with an analysis of Ravi Shankar as a religious entrepreneur.
Seekership as Social Institution in Alternative Religion
Authors: Sutcliffe Steven
Published: March 2015

This article approaches a new biography of Frederick Bligh Bond by placing the subject’s life and career in the wider context of the formation of modern alternative religion. While acknowledging the rich particularities of Bond’s interests, attention is paid to the broader cultural context in which Bond lived and worked. This includes the modern cult and mythos of Glastonbury in both elite and popular cultural aspects as well as a wider social institution of seekership which shapes individual biographies. The article argues that through his seekership Bond was paradoxically more of a ‘type’ than his biographer allows and that his contributions to Glastonbury and to the New Age milieu should be interpreted in this light. The Rediscovery of Glastonbury: Frederick Bligh Bond Architect of the New Age, by Tim Hopkinson-Ball. The History Press (Sutton Publishing), 2007. 236pp., £20.00. ISBN-13: 9780750945646.
Charge of the Armchair Crusader
Authors: Petersen Jesper
Published: March 2015

Modern Satanism is far more than the “subculture” examined by Chris Mathews in his recent book, and critical scholarship is much better if divested of confirmation bias, cherry-picking, and ideological crusading. In the latter part of the article, I sketch three angles of importance when analyzing fragmented occultural milieus: how the research object is delimited; how accessible material is read and understood; and how this is substantiated through ethnographic research. Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture, by Chris Mathews. Praeger Publishers, 2009. 246pp., hb., $49.95. ISBN-13: 9780313366390.
Constructing Korea’s Won Buddhism as a New Religion
Authors: Baker Don
Published: March 2015

Won Buddhism is one of the largest and most respected of Korea’s new religions, yet it still encounters difficulties in wining recognition as a new religion because of the use of Buddhism in its name and some Buddhist elements in its doctrines. To strengthen its claim to independent religious status, Won Buddhism makes sure its worship halls, its rituals, and its clerical wear are quite different from what is seen in traditional Korean Buddhism. It also emphasizes elements in its teachings that differ from those of traditional Buddhism. In addition, over the last few decades, it has become one of the most active promoters of inter-religious dialogue in Korea. Acting as an independent partner in inter-religious dialogue strengthens Won Buddhism’s claim that it is not simply another Buddhist denomination but is a separate and distinct religion in its own right.
Ecumenical with the Truth?
Authors: Chryssides George
Published: March 2015

The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ stance towards ecumenical and interfaith dialogue is an uncompromising one, regarding all manifestations of religion outside the Society as ‘false religion’ and part of Babylon the Great. The article discusses the history of Watch Tower Society’s stance towards Roman Catholicism, and to the formation of the Evangelical Alliance in 1846. Under Rutherford’s leadership a new understanding of Christian apostasy and other faiths emerged, based on the Protestant writer Alexander Hislop’s The Two Babylons. The second part of the article turns to the present-day dialogue movement, arguing that the key Christian ecumenical themes of baptism, eucharist and ministry, are of no concern to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Interfaith dialogue involves harmful associations, and ecumenical and interfaith worship run counter to the Witnesses’ ways of worshipping God. Finally, attention is given to Hans Küng’s global ethic, which the Watch Tower Society contrasts with its own ‘global solution’ to the world’s problems.
Quirky Neighbors or the Cult Next-Door?
Authors: Doherty Bernard
Published: March 2015

Beginning in 2005 the tiny Christian sect then known as the Exclusive Brethren suddenly underwent a media transformation from a virtually unknown or ignored group of quirky and old-fashioned Protestant sectarians to being touted as “Australia’s biggest cult” by tabloid television programs. This explosion of controversy came on the heels of media revelations about the involvement of Brethren members in providing financial donations to conservative political causes across the globe and a snowballing effect in response which brought forth a number of ex-members eager to expose their former group. This article looks at how this media transformation has been received by the wider Australian public. By studying the hitherto little utilized data contained in readers’ letters to Australia’s three mainstream broadsheet newspapers this article identifies which events or undertakings had the most impact on public perceptions of the Exclusive Brethren and which specific articles and issues struck the most responsive chord with readers. This content analysis found that Australian public opinion toward the Exclusive Brethren, while on the whole negative, was more indicative of their political involvement than their beliefs. The study also found that prior to what I call “The Brethren Controversy” the Exclusive Brethren had maintained a high degree of “sectarian tension” in Australia for almost four decades with little public outcry or media vilification.
Doubtful Food, Doubtful Faith
Authors: Theobald Simon
Published: March 2015

The encroachment of maximalist thinking in Jewish and Muslim communities globally has been widely noted by scholars across disciplines. Todate, the influence of such thinking on the cultural construction of foodways, particularly food taboos, within these communities has been largely ignored. This article seeks to address shortcomings in this area of research. Using both fieldwork data from communities in Sydney, Australia, and digital ethnography, this article problematizes anthropological material that suggests that kosher and halal necessarily unite diverse co-religionists. Today, fundamentalists within these faith groups use the concept of “stringency” or “exactingness” in association with food preparation and products to reinterpret the concept of taboo. This process undermines normative communal ideation pertaining to food, providing fundamentalists opportunity to reject intra-communal commensality. Taboos then cease to function as a symbolic marker of communal unity, instead serving the anti-pluralist agenda of fundamentalists. In this way, food becomes the symbolic medium through which the discourse of communal legitimacy, authenticity, and purity, is paradoxically both achieved and rejected.
Gender and Spiritual Therapy in Japan
Authors: Gaitanidis Ioannis
Published: March 2015

Therapies that are advertised as caring for mind, body and spirit, have become increasingly visible since the 1980s, and consist of the central focus of New Age activities in the West, and more recently in non-Western countries such as Japan. This article aims at demonstrating the applicability to the Japanese setting of theories that link the overwhelming presence of women among practitioners and clients of these “spiritual therapies” to their ability of both legitimizing and subverting traditional discourses of femininity. The author focuses particularly on Japanese women therapists’ testimonies that combine a legitimization of women’s involvement in spiritual therapies through their association with the beauty industry, with an overt criticism of the socio-economic conditions that encourage gender discrimination.
Yearning to Belong: Discovering a New Religious Movement, by John Paul Healy. Ashgate Publishing, Ashgate New Religions Series, 2010. $99.95. ISBN 978- 1-4094-1941-9 (hardcover).
Authors: Tøllefsen Inga Bårdsen
Published: March 2015

Book review.
Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music, by Rupert Till. Continuum, 2010. 230pp., Hb. $120.00, ISBN-13: 9780826445926; Pb. $34.95, ISBN-13: 9780826432360.
Authors: Cusack Carole M.
Published: March 2015

Book review
A History of Modern Yoga: Patañjali and Western Esotericism, by Elizabeth De Michelis. Continuum, 2004. 282 pages, 14 b&w illustrations. Pb., $49.95, ISBN-13: 9780826487728.
Authors: Pokazanyeva Anna
Published: March 2015

Book review
The American Soul Rush: Esalen and the Rise of Spiritual Privilege, by Marion Goldman. New York University Press, 2012. xii + 207pp., 13 b&w illustrations. $30.00, ISBN-113: 9780814732878.
Authors: Pokazanyeva Anna
Published: March 2015

Book review
Network Apocalypsis
Authors: Coats Curtis , Murchison Julian
Published: March 2015

This article analyzes the Synthesis 2012 festival, which coincided with the end of the Mayan calendar in December 2012. The festival was held in and around the village of Pisté in Yucatán, Mexico, and broadcast live via a web-based video stream. We gathered ethnographic data about the event both onsite and via the Internet. Presenting and analyzing that data here, we consider the way that these two different modes of access to the ethnographic event(s) reveal and obscure different dimensions of participants’ presence at the festival.
Discovering and developing student teachers' practical teaching theory -- writing logs as a tool?
Authors: Klemp Torunn
Published: March 2015

This paper explores how writing logs sustain student teachers’ professional development. This is done through analysis of logs written during field practice in initial teacher education. The reason for writing and sharing these logs with fellow student teachers and mentors is embedded in theories of writing to learn, following Vygotsky and Bakhtin. Sociocultural theory also guides the research process. The study is designed as a qualitative case study. Data is collected from nine student teachers’ logs over a period of one and a half years. The paper presents findings from the initial phase of a content analysis showing thematic breadth and presence of traces of learning theory and traces of pedagogical content knowledge. The examples presented indicate the potential logs have as rich texts representing a dialogue and a bridge between theory and practice.
Dynamic assessment of L2 development
Authors: Lantolf James P. , Poehner Matthew E.
Published: March 2015

The present paper outlines a theoretical framework for the application of dynamic assessment procedures to second language assessment and pedagogy. Dynamic assessment (DA) is grounded in Vygotskyâ€™s writings on the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and has been widely researched in psychology and education. DA distinguishes itself from other approaches to assessment by insisting that mediation of the examineeâ€™s performance prompts, hints, leading questions etc. â€“ during the assessment procedure is crucial to understanding his/her abilities and for promoting development during the assessment process itself. In this paper, the major approaches to DA are reviewed and some key studies are reported on. The few language-acquisition DA studies that have been carried out to date are then considered. Th e paper concludes with a discussion of some of the criticisms leveled against DA and recommendations for further research into DAâ€™s potential contributions to applied linguistics.
Metaphor clusters in discourse
Authors: Cameron Lynne J. , Stelma Juurd H.
Published: March 2015

The phenomenon of clustering, where speakers or writers suddenly produce multiple metaphors, is widespread and intriguing. This paper presents an innovative visualisation methodology for identifying and exploring metaphor clusters, comparing it to existing methods that use cumulative frequency graphs and Poisson curve fitting, and addressing issues that arise from these. Identification of clusters from the visualisation is shown to be reliable and practical, while also offering in-depth exploration across a range of discourse parameters. Conversations aimed at conciliation between a perpetrator of violence and a victim (total 160 minutes) are analysed for clusters and their discourse functions. All techniques show clusters at two distinct time scales, of around one minute and of several seconds. Clusters in conciliation talk account for about 42 per cent of the total metaphors, and cover about 30 per cent of the discourse. Discourse work carried out in clusters includes explanation of a speaker’s perspective to the Other, appropriation of metaphors originally used by the Other, and exploration of alternative, negative, scenarios that had been possible choices for the speaker but had been rejected. The finding that metaphor clusters are sites of intensive work relating to the central discourse purpose supports cluster exploration as a heuristic tool for discourse analysis.
Digital technology and methodological adaption
Authors: Saferstein Barry
Published: March 2015

As digital video technologies develop for recording, viewing, and organising data, it is useful to examine the relationship between technologies and analytical procedures. Accessible technology now enables researchers to mark, annotate, and compare digital video recordings. Such features encourage and facilitate a more comprehensive examination of the non-verbal components of interaction than text-centered approaches. Digital video editing software offers researchers the potential to modify analytical procedures in ways that enhance the use of recorded data and expand analytical concepts for the study of interaction. Video recordings of biology students, interacting as they work on a genetics assignment, are discussed in regard to the features of video editing software that enable constant and immediate access, in one computer window, to recorded data, transcript extracts, and analytical comments. Particular attention is paid to the use of timelines, video markers, and the placement of transcripts of students’ utterances and analysts’ comments on the video images. Such features supported analytical procedures that sustained an emphasis on the primary recorded data. This led to increased reflexivity among primary data, analytical categories, and transcripts, with the result of increased attention to the importance of pointing in the task-related discourse and the students’ understandings of genetics concepts.
Brand Tone of Voice
Authors: Delin Judy
Published: March 2015

This paper examines material from two companies, HSBC and Orange, to reveal how far the ‘Tone of Voice’ of these brands expresses their different brand positions. Four linguistic techniques are applied: (i) analysis of chains of reference; (ii) analysis of transitivity and participant roles within clauses; (iii) analysis of presupposition and assumption; and (iv) the analysis of features of tenor such as ‘conversationalisation’ and informal grammar. It is suggested that these approaches are useful in describing the links between language and brand position. Four research hypotheses are proposed: (i) brand strength, i.e. the strength of the reader’s impression of the brand varies depending on the number and nature of referring expressions that relate to the brand; (ii) participant roles, i.e. the reader is influenced by the types of processes ascribed to the brand and its related concepts; (iii) assumption, i.e. presuppositions about reader lifestyles, beliefs and values affects engagement with a brand; and (iv) conversationalisation, i.e. greater frequencies of ‘conversational’ linguistic features influence readers’ affinity with the brand and a willingness to associate the brand with ‘human’ qualities such as ‘approachable’. The paper investigates linguistic markers that relate to these hypotheses in detail, but also proposes two further, as yet untested, hypotheses: (v) explicit evaluation, i.e. the impression of a brand is influenced by the linguistic markers of ‘point of view’ such as those identified within Appraisal Theory, and (vi) unusualness, i.e. there may be a correlation between low-frequency vocabulary items and collocations and readers’ tendencies to associate with the brand qualities such as ‘quirky’ or ‘fun’. The paper also presents a discussion of the use of linguistic techniques for commercial aims, which is a departure from the critical tradition in applied linguistics.