History of ideas: believing and belonging 2 - from religion to spirituality
In recent times an interest in spirituality has developed that is independent of mainstream religious institutions and traditions. This course will consider why this has happened and how it is best...
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In her book Religion in Britain A Persistent Paradox Professor Grace Davie coined the phrase ‘believing without belonging’. Her book is one of many that have tried to understand how an interest in spirituality, spiritual seeking and personal growth has been sustained and even flourished while membership of mainstream Christian denominations has been in decline and at times sharp decline. This course is about seeking to understand the perennial interest in spirituality that today takes so many forms and is maligned by some but also celebrated by others.
What will we cover?
We shall begin by considering what is meant and has been meant by spirituality and how this has been distinguished from religion. We shall look too at the history of the study of spirituality and consider debates that have taken place about what is and is not appropriate language to use about new spiritual movements. Are they reasonably designated as ‘cults’ or is the phrase ‘new religious movement’ more appropriate because it sounds more impartial? Related to this question, we shall ask what is involved in understanding a new religious movement? What are the limits and what are the benefits of both insider and outsider perspectives about such movements? We shall pay particular attention to the role of leaders of spiritual movements and new religious movements and look also at the character of apocalyptic movements. Finally, we shall consider ‘Anti-cult Movements’. What has motivated them and how can they be best understood?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand something of the history and current use of the word ‘spirituality’ and how it is different from the word ‘religion’.
Understand something of the thinking, interests and issues of debate that have engaged sociologists of religion in their research into spirituality and new religious movements.
Understand something about the character of charismatic leadership within new religious movements.
Understand some distinctive aspects of apocalyptic new religious movements.
Critically discuss how a society might reasonably respond to and regard new religious movements.
Critically discuss how far this can be achieved without prejudice.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge of the subject area is assumed. You should be able to take notes and participate cooperatively and respectfully in class discussion. Come with an open mind and a willingness to listen and respond to views with which you may not always agree.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be short lectures, readings from texts, some short film extracts and much discussion.
The tutor will provide a reading list and you may find it useful to read a little about some of the groups we shall consider although this will not be necessary to understand the class lectures and readings.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring pen and paper for making notes. You may wish to purchase books on the reading list.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in The search for authenticity (HRS60), starting in April 2026 and taught by the same tutor.
John studied philosophy and theology at King’s College, London and went on to teach philosophy and religious studies in schools for many years taking on a number of management roles before going on to lecture in further education. In 2019 his book Judging Religion A Dialogue for Our Time was published by Silverwood Books. He has had several articles about religion and philosophy published. Most recently his article Wondering in Uzbekistan was published in a journal for RE teachers, REToday. It reflects John’s keen interests in travel and inter-cultural dialogue. John’s subject interests include; philosophy of mind, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, multiculturalism, secularisation and the ethical character of religions, most especially Islam and Christianity. John believes in the classroom as a place where our lives can be made richer through our struggles and passions to understand difficult subjects that engage with questions about who we are, who we have been and who we might become.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/history-of-ideas-believing-and-belonging-2-from-religion-to-spirituality2667300History of ideas: believing and belonging 2 - from religion to spiritualityhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1763044829/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/The history of ideas22851177140414231228511771404<p>In recent times an interest in spirituality has developed that is independent of mainstream religious institutions and traditions. This course will consider why this has happened and how it is best understood.</p>002667258History of ideas: believing and belonging 2 - from religion to spirituality219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP261219219History of ideas: believing and belonging 2 - from religion to spirituality175142219John Holroydhistory-of-ideas-believing-and-belonging-2-from-religion-to-spirituality/hp261-2526<p>In recent times an interest in spirituality has developed that is independent of mainstream religious institutions and traditions. This course will consider why this has happened and how it is best understood.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-22 00:00:00<p>In her book Religion in Britain A Persistent Paradox Professor Grace Davie coined the phrase ‘believing without belonging’. Her book is one of many that have tried to understand how an interest in spirituality, spiritual seeking and personal growth has been sustained and even flourished while membership of mainstream Christian denominations has been in decline and at times sharp decline. This course is about seeking to understand the perennial interest in spirituality that today takes so many forms and is maligned by some but also celebrated by others.</p><p>In recent times an interest in spirituality has developed that is independent of mainstream religious institutions and traditions. This course will consider why this has happened and how it is best understood.</p><p>We shall begin by considering what is meant and has been meant by spirituality and how this has been distinguished from religion. We shall look too at the history of the study of spirituality and consider debates that have taken place about what is and is not appropriate language to use about new spiritual movements. Are they reasonably designated as ‘cults’ or is the phrase ‘new religious movement’ more appropriate because it sounds more impartial? Related to this question, we shall ask what is involved in understanding a new religious movement? What are the limits and what are the benefits of both insider and outsider perspectives about such movements? We shall pay particular attention to the role of leaders of spiritual movements and new religious movements and look also at the character of apocalyptic movements. Finally, we shall consider ‘Anti-cult Movements’. What has motivated them and how can they be best understood?</p><p>Understand something of the history and current use of the word ‘spirituality’ and how it is different from the word ‘religion’.</p><p>Understand something of the thinking, interests and issues of debate that have engaged sociologists of religion in their research into spirituality and new religious movements.</p><p>Understand something about the character of charismatic leadership within new religious movements.</p><p>Understand some distinctive aspects of apocalyptic new religious movements.</p><p>Critically discuss how a society might reasonably respond to and regard new religious movements.</p><p>Critically discuss how far this can be achieved without prejudice.</p><p>No prior knowledge of the subject area is assumed. You should be able to take notes and participate cooperatively and respectfully in class discussion. Come with an open mind and a willingness to listen and respond to views with which you may not always agree.</p><p>There will be short lectures, readings from texts, some short film extracts and much discussion.</p><p>The tutor will provide a reading list and you may find it useful to read a little about some of the groups we shall consider although this will not be necessary to understand the class lectures and readings.</p><p>Bring pen and paper for making notes. You may wish to purchase books on the reading list.</p><p>You might be interested in The search for authenticity (HRS60), starting in April 2026 and taught by the same tutor.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasThe history of ideasvirtual175219142HP261NONEThu22/01/26 - 12/03/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:308 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJohn HolroydBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-22T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanities219219History of ideas: believing and belonging 2 - from religion to spiritualityhistory-of-ideas-believing-and-belonging-2-from-religion-to-spirituality/hp261-2526<p>In recent times an interest in spirituality has developed that is independent of mainstream religious institutions and traditions. This course will consider why this has happened and how it is best understood.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-22 00:00:00<p>In her book Religion in Britain A Persistent Paradox Professor Grace Davie coined the phrase ‘believing without belonging’. Her book is one of many that have tried to understand how an interest in spirituality, spiritual seeking and personal growth has been sustained and even flourished while membership of mainstream Christian denominations has been in decline and at times sharp decline. This course is about seeking to understand the perennial interest in spirituality that today takes so many forms and is maligned by some but also celebrated by others.</p><p>In recent times an interest in spirituality has developed that is independent of mainstream religious institutions and traditions. This course will consider why this has happened and how it is best understood.</p><p>We shall begin by considering what is meant and has been meant by spirituality and how this has been distinguished from religion. We shall look too at the history of the study of spirituality and consider debates that have taken place about what is and is not appropriate language to use about new spiritual movements. Are they reasonably designated as ‘cults’ or is the phrase ‘new religious movement’ more appropriate because it sounds more impartial? Related to this question, we shall ask what is involved in understanding a new religious movement? What are the limits and what are the benefits of both insider and outsider perspectives about such movements? We shall pay particular attention to the role of leaders of spiritual movements and new religious movements and look also at the character of apocalyptic movements. Finally, we shall consider ‘Anti-cult Movements’. What has motivated them and how can they be best understood?</p><p>Understand something of the history and current use of the word ‘spirituality’ and how it is different from the word ‘religion’.</p><p>Understand something of the thinking, interests and issues of debate that have engaged sociologists of religion in their research into spirituality and new religious movements.</p><p>Understand something about the character of charismatic leadership within new religious movements.</p><p>Understand some distinctive aspects of apocalyptic new religious movements.</p><p>Critically discuss how a society might reasonably respond to and regard new religious movements.</p><p>Critically discuss how far this can be achieved without prejudice.</p><p>No prior knowledge of the subject area is assumed. You should be able to take notes and participate cooperatively and respectfully in class discussion. Come with an open mind and a willingness to listen and respond to views with which you may not always agree.</p><p>There will be short lectures, readings from texts, some short film extracts and much discussion.</p><p>The tutor will provide a reading list and you may find it useful to read a little about some of the groups we shall consider although this will not be necessary to understand the class lectures and readings.</p><p>Bring pen and paper for making notes. You may wish to purchase books on the reading list.</p><p>You might be interested in The search for authenticity (HRS60), starting in April 2026 and taught by the same tutor.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasThe history of ideasconfigurable
14231404The history of ideashttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/philosophy-religion-belief/the-history-of-ideas1/2/285/1177/1404/14231/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/The history of ideas
