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Open research questions in Religion, Society, and Development

74 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 2,959 Religion, Society, and Development papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • graphs, and charts to help were compared across identify structural patterns. different backgrounds, Finally, conclusions were including ordinary citizens, drawn and verified based on educated individuals, wealthy these synthesized findings. people, and government officials.

    Consolidating Wealth and Power · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the synthesis of findings, the following recommendations are proposed: - Both non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies can be recommended to actively advance and broadcast the imagery of benefits of ethical behaviour and losses of unethical behaviour. - They should present family and life education where people or students are exposed to both religious and scientific arguments to the necessity of this education being good, moral, fitting and objective. - The increasing trend of popular religious leaders influencing election results is a matter of concern, and it is imperative to avoid the inappropriate involvement of these figures in matters of political power. This phenomenon might be attributed to the fact that the younger generation in society regards these individuals as role models. 13 Pharos Journal of Theology ISSN 2414-3324 online Volume 107 (3) Regular Issue (2026) Copyright: ©2026 Open Access/Author/s - Online @ http//: www.pharosjot.com - - It is imperative to make religion and scientific literacy mandatory, placing significant emphasis not only on their factual knowledge but also on their inherent values and ethical considerations. Interdisciplinary dialogue is sacrosanct in this gen-z age to promote interdisciplinary dialogue between religious leaders, scientists, and policymakers to bridge the gap between faith and reason. - Scientific literacy has become an indispensable necessity in society to boost the productivity among the general public to promote critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making. - Ethical education from early school years to university levels, is one of the ingredients required to promote ethics in an academic and non-academic learning environment and to in-still moral values and ethical reasoning skills. - Religious tolerance is credence to activate adequate tolerance and understanding to different religious framework to foster social harmony and peaceful coexistence. It is incumbent on the state to use science and technology to solve the pressing social and environmental problems in Africa. - - - Religio-scientiific paradigm provides a structural basis as to portray the need for interdisciplinary dialogue to promote dialogue between religious leaders, scientists, and policymakers to foster mutual understanding and collaboration. It is important to promote science education; therefore, investing in science education will equip one with the skills needed to think critically and be scientifically literate. It is necessary to create ethical guidelines for scientific research that are respectful of cultural values and religious beliefs. Although it may already exist, there is need to continue to raise the tempo on its promotion. - - Government needs, of necessity, to ensure that there is public engagement with science in order to bridge the gap between science and understanding.

    A Religio-Scientific Paradigm for Ethico-Value Reorientation in Africa · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the findings of this study, the following for various recommendations stakeholders religious entrepreneurship and prayer house proliferation in Taraba State and Northern Nigeria more broadly: are proposed concerned with 1. Prayer house leaders should establish clear financial reporting and accountability mechanisms to ensure that donated resources are utilized for their intended purposes. Regular updates on projects and transparent accounting practices will build and maintain trust among adherents. 2. Leaders should develop and adhere to ethical guidelines governing prophetic pronouncements, particularly those affecting family relationships.

    Religious Entrepreneurship and the Proliferation of Prayer Houses in Northern Nigeria: A Historical and Sociological Analysis of Taraba State (1991 – 2023) · 2026 · DOI

  • University of Pretoria). Ndubisi, E. J. O., & Kanu, I. A. (2019). Igbo philosophy of life vis-à-vis the proliferation of prayer houses in Southeast Nigeria: A phenomenological study. Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development, 2(2), 1–11. Ngbea, G. T., & Achunike, H. C. (2014). Religion: Past and present in Nigeria. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 17(2), 156–174. Ngwoke, P. N. (2024). A critical view on the rising in Port spate of Pentecostal churches Harcourt, Rivers State. African Journal of Pentecostal Studies, 1(1), 23. Njoku, B. J., & Kolapo, J. (2022). The rise of ethnoreligious conflicts in Northern Nigeria: Critical analysis and proposal for new resolution strategies. Covenant University Journal of Politics & International Affairs, 10(1), 3767-3789. Nmah, P. E. (2013). Religion and leadership in role of Pentecostalism.

    Religious Entrepreneurship and the Proliferation of Prayer Houses in Northern Nigeria: A Historical and Sociological Analysis of Taraba State (1991 – 2023) · 2026 · DOI

  • The Anglican Church as earlier stated, emerged within the context of the sixteenth-century Reformation and developed a distinctive that combines elements of Catholic heritage and Protestant reform. This identity is often described as a via media, meaning a “middle way” between Roman Catholic sacramentalism and Protestant emphasis on scriptural authority. This theological balance has historically allowed Anglicanism to accommodate a wide range of while maintaining theological institutional unity. However, the rise of Pentecostal spirituality has introduced new dynamics that are reshaping Anglican identity in many regions of the world, particularly in Africa (Avis, 2008). In the African context, Christianity has undergone a remarkable revolution over the past century. The rapid expansion of Pentecostal and charismatic movements has significantly influenced the structure, theology, and worship patterns of older denominations. In countries such as Nigeria, Pentecostalism has become one of the most influential expressions of Christianity, attracting millions of adherents through its emphasis on spiritual empowerment, healing, and prosperity teachings. This expansion has inevitably affected Anglican congregations, many of which have adopted charismatic practices while attempting to retain their historic liturgical identity (Anderson, 2013). televangelists, and participate prayer meetings. Another important dimension of this transformation is the role of globalization and urbanization. Rapid urban growth in African cities has created new social environments where traditional denominational boundaries are increasingly fluid.

    Anglicanism and Pentecostalism in Rivers State: Examining Identity, Continuity and Change · 2026 · DOI

  • First, this study was conducted in an urban area and examined the role of interfaith mar- riage related to Christian–Muslim coexistence in Dessie town. Thus, future researchers could expand and compare it by investigating urban and rural locales. Second, although the sample size is robust (n = 390), the selection of the study area Dessie was done pur- posively. Therefore, the findings cannot be statistically generalized to the entire popula- tion of South Wollo, but only apply to the sample studied. Third, longitudinal studies are also required to assess the sustainability of interfaith marriages over time and their broader impact on intergenerational identity development. This research finding will not generalize to the external society due to South Wollo’s unique historical and cultural context. Fourth, the use of snowball sampling to find divorced and separated couples may have inadvertently captured the most prominent or high-conflict cases. This may not fully represent the experiences of all couples who divorced for religious reasons.

    The role of interfaith marriage in fostering Muslim and Christian coexistence in Southern Wollo, Ethiopia · 2026 · DOI

  • The ADS-Nyanza should train specific youth as counsellors on social programs. This would make reaching the youth and teaching them about social issues easy. The training of youth counsellors is a 51 | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, Volume 9, Issue 2, 2026 Article DOI : https://doi.org/10.37284/eajass.9.2.4770 good step, since this can also help the youth solve their problems because they understand their social problems well. It is also worth noting that in the current study, the ADS-Nyanza improves the social empowerment of through use of the youth counseling support programs to promote social empowerment of the youth, use of mentorship training programs to promote social empowerment of the youth, use of leadership training programs to promote social empowerment of the youth and use of cultural norms education programs to promote social empowerment of is recommended that other faith-based organisations use the same elements of social programs to the youth. promote social empowerment of Furthermore, the ADS-Nyanza should partner with other faith-based organisations and engage many youth to be ambassadors of social transformation and tutors to teach other youth about social transformation in society. Moreover, the youth addressing themselves can lead to enjoying sessions when they learn as peers. the youth.

    Influence of Faith-Based Organisations' Programs on Social Empowerment of the Youth in Nyanza Region, Kenya · 2026 · DOI

  • on the study The study makes the following recommendations findings. Economic based empowerment is a vital aspect in the lives of all members of society. The use of economic programs such as ADS-Nyanza agricultural programs, ADS- Nyanza technical skills training programs, ADS- Nyanza entrepreneurship education programs, and ADS-Nyanza environmental protection programs to enhance the economic empowerment of the youth should be applauded and encouraged not only by ADS-Nyanza but also by other faith-based organisations. Moreover, the economic programs should not just be applied to the youth but also to the other members of society.

    Influence of Faith-Based Organisations' Programs on Economic Empowerment of the Youth in Nyanza Region, Kenya · 2026 · DOI

  • The study recommended that adult church leaders and the church in general should overcome the power barriers between youth and adults and actively engage the youth in leadership roles of the church, and create opportunities for authentic decision-making within the top leadership of the church. REFERENCES Bunge, M.J. (2008). “Biblical and theological perspectives on children, parents, and best practices for faith formation: Resources for child, youth, and family ministry today”. Dialog: A Journal of Theology, 47(4), 48-360. Checkoway, B. (2011). is youth participation?” Children and Youth Services Review, 33(2), 340-345. “What Christens, B.D., & Dolan, T. (2011). “Interweaving Youth Development, Community Development, and Social Change Through Youth Organizing”. Youth & Society, 43(2), 528–548. Delbecq, A.L. (2018). “Identity and catholic leadership to Action”. Critical healthcare: The Challenge of formation: A Call Conversation, 30-31.

    Adventist Church on the Crossroad of Youth Managerial Leadership: A Study of Nyanchwa Station, South Kenya Conference · 2026 · DOI

  • Such a discourse will have material consequences to some extent, although whether it is enough to reverse current trends in the asset management space as a whole is something that future research should explore in various parts of the world. Future studies could explore other economic fields and identify their theological imaginaries. This precept notwithstanding, some kind of criti- cal evaluation of active fund manager discourse is warranted here.

    Trading in the end times: keeping faith in financial markets · 2026 · DOI

  • The study recommends that, there is need for sustained partnership between religious institutions, security agencies, and government authorities to enhance peace-building initiatives in Kontagora Emirate. Strengthening religious education, promoting interfaith harmony, and empowering youth through faith-based programs remain crucial strategies for curbing terrorism and banditry. There is also a need for religious leaders and organisations to explore and examine the level of insecurity and violence in Kontagora Emirate, through the teachings of the Holy Books and use their influence to teach, educate, mobilise, their congregation and challenge, harmful interpretations of religious texts that justify violence, as well as condemn all forms of violence, security threat posed by domestic and physical violence, gender inequality and all other forms of sufferings in Kontagora Emirate.

    Between Complexity and Resistance: Religious Institutions and the Challenge of Terrorism and Banditry in Kontagora Emirate, Niger State · 2026 · DOI

  • This study draws on an institutional logics perspective to illuminate a hitherto underexplored interplay of multiple logics that in combination influence family SMEs when pursuing CSR.

    Contributing to the sustainable development goals as normative and instrumental acts: The role of Buddhist religious logics in family SMEs · 2023 · DOI

  • Given that the rules and regulations of Ecclesiastical Law relating indirectly to women ministers of worship are scarce (Social Security), the purpose of this paper is to gain a clearer understanding of the situation and find out the number of women ministers who carry out religious functions that have civil effects.

    La realización de actos religiosos con efectos civiles. Especial referencia a las mujeres ministras de culto · 2022 · DOI

  • Based upon the gaps in the literature, we examined the informal learning and human capital among rural African American grandmothers (N = 10) who were caring for their grandchildren.

    The Black Church, an Agency for Learning, Informal Religious Adult Education, and Human Capital Development: A Qualitative Inquiry into Rural African American Primary Caregiving Grandmothers’ Experiences · 2020 · DOI

  • Abstract Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been attracting ever considerable attention from practice and academia, but the determinants of CSR remain unclear, especially in transitional economies.

    Does religion benefit corporate social responsibility (CSR)? Evidence from China · 2019 · DOI

  • Although faith-based organizations (FBOs) and secular nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provide significant social work interventions, and are believed to bring about positive changes in their clients, the literature has not fully explored distinctions between the ways leaders of these organizations socially construct success.

    The social construction of success among leaders of faith-based and secular NGOs in Cambodia: Examining the role of faith · 2016 · DOI

  • Other obstacles to the involvement of Black churches in ATOD programs include: a significant lack of agreement about the use and nonuse of alcohol, recognition of alcoholism and drug dependency as a medical disease, placing substance abuse beyond the direct attention of the faith community, the link between tobacco use and health issues, and reluctance of the congregation to acknowledge the need to address substance abuse (Prevention Forum, 2002).

    Black Churches in Substance Use and Abuse Prevention Efforts · 2006

  • While the history of church related welfare service provision is not well known in Australia it is asserted that many have a long tradition of outreach and service provision to marginalised groups regardless of the government social policy of the day (ACSWC, 2000; Mendes, 2003).

    Keeping the Faith: The Impact of Human Services Restructuring on Catholic Social Welfare Services · 2004 · DOI

  • Given the multiple and complex processes taking place in Post-Mitch Honduras in general, and Morolica in particular, I suggest that survival strategies and religious conversions are gender-differentiated, and need to be explored within a framework of shifting political ecological conditions, religious pluralism, and displacement.

    Disaster Evangelism: Religion as a Catalyst for Change in Post-Mitch Honduras · 2003 · DOI

  • Second, Africa’s religious and cultural diversity means that ethical values and their interpretations vary widely; therefore, the proposed paradigm may not be uniformly applicable across all contexts.

    A Religio-Scientific Paradigm for Ethico-Value Reorientation in Africa · 2026 · DOI

  • Twenty studies were evaluated and analysed through Erlington and Brysiewicz’s content analysis strategy and gave rise to mixed findings through six main themes.

    A social work perspective on the involvement of Christian churches in HIV prevention and support programmes in South Africa · 2026 · DOI

  • We argue that their implementation should be studied using specific case studies in which governments successfully engaged in religious freedom diplomacy.

    How violence and fear constrain international religious freedom diplomacy: Lessons from the case of Asia Bibi · 2025 · DOI

  • Whereas most scholarship and resource development has historically taken place in the West, programs like Church-based rites of passage in Kenya expose sparsely documented camp ministry contextualization elsewhere.

    Extending Kinship Through Christian Camping in an East African Nation · 2024 · DOI

  • The organization of religious life has implications that should be studied by researchers interested in lived religion, especially when they deal with such issues as religious experience, the integrative role of religion, ritual efficacy, and the transmission of practices and beliefs.

    O potrzebie antropologicznych badań organizacyjnego wymiaru religii · 2021 · DOI

  • Evangelical faith-based involvement is mobilized by inclusive theologies and Biblical commands to care for the stranger; however, encounters between refugees and faith-based resettlement workers are complex, and meanings of this faith-based involvement are not well understood.

    Understanding ‘faith’ in faith-based organizations: refugee resettlement work as religious practice · 2021 · DOI

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