Transforming Our Cities: Public Role of Faith and Theology
Having engaged themselves for long with time and history, faith and theology are invited today to reflect on space and geography. City space presents ambiguity: On the one hand, it provides an ambience of freedom and opportunity for cultivation of talents; on the other hand it is a haven for the poo...
| Published in: | Concilium |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
SCM Press
[2019]
|
| In: |
Concilium
|
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
City
/ Poverty
/ Multi-cultural society
/ Religious pluralism
/ Theology
|
| IxTheo Classification: | CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations CD Christianity and Culture FA Theology NCC Social ethics |
| Further subjects: | B
Religion & Sociology
B Theology B Urban renewal B CITIES & towns B Faith B urban planning B Xenophobia |
| Summary: | Having engaged themselves for long with time and history, faith and theology are invited today to reflect on space and geography. City space presents ambiguity: On the one hand, it provides an ambience of freedom and opportunity for cultivation of talents; on the other hand it is a haven for the poor and the displaced. Neoliberal economy has turned the city space into an arena of competition in which the poor are the losers, as they experience many negations. Their cry is not heard, nor their participation enlisted, even as city spaces are planned for them through technocratic management. The problems of the poor, the migrants and refugees are far from being solved basically due to persisting xenophobia and for lack of deeper humanistic vision. Hence the challenge for theology is to contribute with the help of other disciplines to an alternative vision of life in the city space embodying the dreams and aspirations of the poor and downtrodden and to foster dignified human existence and coexistence for all through solidarity, care and compassion. With our cities turning increasingly multicultural, and pluri-religious, theology is further challenged to come out with refreshing perspectives on pluralism and coexistence in contemporary situation, moving beyond social contract as the basis of societal constitution. Non-state actors and faith-inspired voluntary groups could be catalysts with whom faith and theology could interact to make common cause for the shaping of cities of the future as humane communities and ecologically sound habitat. For theologians to engage with such ideals for future cities would be a vocation to become public intellectuals, seasoned by faith and echoing the Good News to the Poor. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0010-5236 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Concilium
|