Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Identities in Society and Culture

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Series Editor J. Cody Nielsen

 

Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Identities in society and culture is a new series of books from DIO publishers that aims to looks at the ways in which all forms of religious and non-religious identities are an imperative part of our world.  From consideration of higher education institutions and their diversity and inclusion efforts to industry and tech fields, the series will take an in depth look at the complex and sometimes difficult history as well as opportunities for inclusion of all religious, secular, and spiritual identities.  The series will include authors who delve into the complex intersections of RSSIs and GBLTQIA identities, race, gender, and cultural identities..  Overall, the series seeks to shed light upon an often overlooked and yet necessary area of inclusion within the American landscape.

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Over time, much of the American culture has moved away from supporting religious inclusion in organizations, including higher education.  Historical moments in which universities had Christian chaplains is changing, and while private sectors and universities still retain some of these portfolios, the changing religious landscape of America and all of Western Culture is providing an ample opportunity for practioners and professionals to reexamine the ways in which religious identities have been included in diversity efforts.  This series will take a look at that complexity, at times tracing historically the role of religion in society and at others calling for a reengagement in a systematic approach through policies and practices.  

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With the changing landscape of religious, secular, and spiritual identities comes the need to look deeply at how we as a society have become disengaged with these identities, and potentially in doing so have allowed Anti-Semitism, Anti-Muslim bias, and even Anti-Atheism to fester within institutions and throughout our world.  Taboos related to RSSI identity have caused most professionals to shy away from engagement either their personal comfortability or through professional training in which religious identities may have been intentionally avoided. In this series, we take a direct approach, asking how professionals in all areas might consider this full inclusion of religious, secular, and spiritual identities.