Читать книгу The Atlas of Religion - Joanne O'Brien - Страница 7

Part Five CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES 68 Shared World 70 Ecumenical Christian and interfaith movements are growing stronger. They are increasingly addressing social, health, environmental and human rights issues. Equal Rites 72 Within some religious organizations women have equal status with men when it comes to administering religious rites. Other religions are firmly opposed to women fulfilling this role. Environmental Protection 74 Religious organizations are the largest social network in the world. In recent years they have turned their attention to caring for the environment. Ethical Investment 76 Worldwide, the major religions are moving their financial assets into socially responsible investments – ranging from Islamic banking to ethical investment portfolios. The Future 78 Religion will respond in a diversity of ways to both the opportunities and challenges raised by an increasingly free market world. Part Six THE HEARTLANDS 80 Origins 82 Places associated with the origins of a religion, or where major new expressions came to life, are often centres of pilgrimage and veneration. Holy Natural 84 For many religions, nature offers a place of encounter with the Divine, helping to conserve some of the most beautiful places in the world. Fundamentals of the Faiths 86–89 Part Seven SOCIAL CONTEXT 90 World Data Table 92 Notes and Sources 100 Index 126