The Role of Religion in the Reviewing of the Tanzanian Constitution
Dr Sahaya G. Selvam, sdb
A talk given to the annual philosophical symposium of Moshi-Arusha on 2 Feb 2013
Abstract
Taking a perspective of the scientific study of religion, the paper lays the foundations for deriving the guiding principles for the involvement of religion in the review process of the Tanzanian constitutions. It discusses the following aspects: the interaction between the sacred and the secular in Africa; the type of religion that is suitable to create an authentic interaction between religion and society; and the nature of this interaction itself. Having delineated the basic principles, the paper concludes by briefly listing some possible contribution of religions to the constitution reviewing process in Tanzania.
The president of the Republic of Tanzania has constituted a commission of 30 members, representing different political parties, religious organizations, NGO’s and other interested parties, to review the Fourth Constitution. The […]
Academics
Academic Resources
Now and Hereafter: The Psychology of Hope from the Perspective of Religion
Selvam, S.G. & Poulsom, M. (2012), Now and hereafter: The psychology of Hope from the perspective of Religion. Journal of Dharma 37(4), 393-410.
Faced with the harsh reality of death, human beings have often drawn a sense of hope from a belief in life after death. Religions have earnestly supported this faith and hope. As Paul Tillich put it, “Without hope, the tension of our life toward the future would vanish, and with it, life itself.” In recent times, hope has also become a subject matter for psychology. Does psychology risk separating hope from religion, focussing too narrowly on the immediate future? Or could the treatment of hope offered by psychology give a sense of meaning to life similar to that provided by religion? This article examines recent developments in the psychology of hope from the perspective of religion.
DOWNLOAD OUR ARTICLE published in the Journal of Dharma (December 2012).
The Ubiquity of the Character Strengths in African Traditional Religion: A Thematic Analysis
Selvam, S.G. & Collicutt, J. (2013), The ubiquity of the character strengths in African Traditional Religion: A thematic analysis. In Knoop, H.H. & Delle Fave, A. (Eds.), Well-Being and Cultures: A Positive Psychology Perspective (pp 83-102). Heidelberg: Springer.
Abstract
Positive psychology has relied on world philosophical and religious traditions for its understanding and classification of core virtues and character strengths and in demonstrating their ubiquity across cultures. However, in this endeavour, reference to African traditional religion (ATR) is minimal. The aim of the present qualitative study was to discern if the ubiquity of character strengths extends to ATR. The catalogue of Values in Action (VIA) was chosen as the coding template; some anthropological textual data on the life cycle of the individual, collected in Nairobi, Kenya, were used as the data set. Using a hybrid approach of deductive data analysis and inductive theme development, thematic equivalents were identified, and further validated with […]
Do you wish to volunteer to help someone in the developing world?
Do you wish to volunteer to help someone in the developing world? – without going out of your home; without any risk; without giving out money?
Often scholars/students from the English-speaking developing world (especially India and East Africa) find it difficult to publish their academic works because English is not their first language. They need someone to correct their writings. Often valuable pieces of writings are lost because these writers simply lack the self-confidence to share their texts.
If only someone could correct their English and give an international opinion! Are you willing to offer your time to this worthy cause? You don’t need to be trained in copy-editing. If you are a native English speaker and have had some experience in dealing with texts, you could be of great help. This is not a full time task at all. If you choose to help you will be put in contact with […]
Open Access Journals
HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO JOURNALS THAT OFFER OPEN ACCESS
Click on titles below:
Directory of Open-Access Journals
International Association for Media and Communication Research
Peer-reviewed Open-access Journals
Journals on Education
MY FAVOURITES:
African Journals Online
Journal of Religion and Society
Relegare: Studies in Religion and Reception
If you are aware of other links. Please email me through the profile page.
MORE TO COME …