AEN Journal launch: Faith and Ethnic Communities

The fourth issue of AEN Journal which focuses on faith and interfaith issues will be available after its launch at the NZ Diversity Forum Interfaith event on 26 August at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Parnell, at 7.30pm. This hour long event organised by the Auckland Interfaith Council will feature performance and sacred scripture from the world's major religions on the Diversity Forum's theme of 'Diversity, Community and Prosperity, read by a diverse body of youth from different faith traditions. This will be a light and uplifting programme, with an opportunity for socialising over refreshments from 8.30 to 9.30pm.

The online journal is part of Wairua Consulting’s contribution to the NZ Diversity Action Programme. This issue brings together a range of writers to provide debate and critical comment on the role of faith in developing civil society. Edited by Ruth DeSouza, contributors 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. Please contact Ruth De Souza for details [log in to unmask] .This event is open to all.

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.

Editorial: Faith in a pluralist society

Ruth DeSouza

Statement on Religious Diversity

Human Rights and Religious Diversity

Joris de Bres

Faith-wrestling

Larry Stillman

A Queer kind of faith: Religion and spirituality in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual New Zealanders

Mark Henrickson

Auckland City Interfaith Project - A case study of how a secular institution engages with faith

Abigael Vogt

Immigration, integration and Islam

Bashy Quraishy

Kiwis on the straight path: Muslim conversion in NZ

Ruqayya Sulaiman-Hill

New Zealand as a multireligious society: Recent census figures and some relevant implications

Todd Nachowitz

Dancing with Others

Lance D. Laird

Not a west side story: the Christian faith and migrant communities in New Zealand

Andrew Butcher

The Korean exorcist meets the New Zealand justice system

Heather Kavan

God's Men: The Red Mosque/Golden Temple

Fuad Khan Baloch

The Concept of Faith: From the Perspective of a Practicing Sikh

Verpal Singh

Atheism and religious diversity

Ken Perrott

'The 21st century spirituality revolution: Are there implications for migrants?

John Raeburn