NEW JOURNAL ISSUE - AEN Journal "Faith and Ethnic Communities"

AEN Journal - Faith and Ethnic Communities
Volume 2, Issue 2–August 2007
Edited by Ruth DeSouza
http://journal.aen.org.nz/

The fourth issue of AEN Journal focuses on faith and interfaith issues. It brings together a range of writers to provide debate and critical comment on the role of faith in developing civil society. New Zealand 's ethnic and religious diversity has increased dramatically over recent years. Growing interest in cultural diversity needs to be matched with discussions about religious diversity if stressors caused by religious and ethnic differences evident overseas are to be successfully avoided or negotiated. Whilst religious participation by Pakeha New Zealanders has been steadily declining, changes to immigration policy have resulted in the growth of both diasporic religious traditions (such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and so on) and the invigoration of Christian denominations. Faith-community organisations are seen by many as a tremendous resource of energy and commitment playing an important part in the development of civil society. Trusted religious or ethnic community organisations are often a key gateway for new New Zealanders to relate to their wider community.

Edited by Ruth DeSouza, contributors write from New Zealand , Denmark , the United States , and Australia and include: Joris de Bres, Larry Stillman, Mark Henrickson, Abigael Vogt, Bashy Quraishy, Ruqayya Sulaiman-Hill, Todd Nachowitz, Lance D. Laird, Andrew Butcher, Heather Kavan, Fuad Khan Baloch, Verpal Singh, Ken Perrott and John Raeburn.