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Open research questions in Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices

244 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 3,388 Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • the patient remains the expert in regard to the meaningfulness and insightfulness of the interpretation, - we have no way of knowing how the interpretations might have struck Boisen, or what their effect might have been

    Anton Boisen Resurrected: Prophetic Vision and the Hermeneutical Treatment of Psychosis · 2026 · DOI

  • The marginalization of Boisen's work due to his status as an ex-mental patient. The lack of consideration of the symbolic meaning of visions in the treatment of psychosis. The need for a reevaluation of Boisen's contributions to the field of psychology of religion and pastoral psychology.

    Anton Boisen Resurrected: Prophetic Vision and the Hermeneutical Treatment of Psychosis · 2026 · DOI

  • Anthropology may well find further investigation of these problems rewarding.

    ENCOUNTER WITH NEUROBIOLOGY: THE RESPONSE OF RITUAL STUDIES · 1986 · DOI

  • Further study of the relationship between alchemy and Freemasonry. Analysis of the impact of the distortion of alchemy on the development of modern science. Investigation of the role of other esoteric traditions in the development of spiritual alchemy.

    True Alchemy Is The False Alchemy Invented By Freemasons: Historiographical Deconstruction of Speculative Hermeticism · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of a clear distinction between historical alchemy and spiritual alchemy. The misunderstanding of the history of alchemy due to the distortion by Freemasons.

    True Alchemy Is The False Alchemy Invented By Freemasons: Historiographical Deconstruction of Speculative Hermeticism · 2026 · DOI

  • The study had a limited scope, focusing on the development of Earth Spirituality in Europe. The research may not be generalizable to other contexts or populations.

    The Development of Earth Spirituality in Europe · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of Contemporary Western Paganism and its diverse forms of spirituality. The study highlights the need for further research on the connection between pagan conviction and eco-pagan concern.

    The Development of Earth Spirituality in Europe · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should investigate the effectiveness of divinatory practices in promoting personal responsibility and autonomy. It should explore the potential applications of divinatory practices in various fields, such as psychology and sociology.

    Pratiques divinatoires contemporaines : analyse empirique des processus cognitifs, symboliques, narratifs et décisionnels dans un cadre professionnel non expérimental · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of understanding of divinatory practices as a means of decision-making and personal responsibility. There is a need for a more nuanced understanding of the role of divinatory practices in contemporary society.

    Pratiques divinatoires contemporaines : analyse empirique des processus cognitifs, symboliques, narratifs et décisionnels dans un cadre professionnel non expérimental · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research can explore the applications of the ZIKAKU Theory in various fields such as psychology, philosophy, and anthropology. The theory can be further developed and refined through empirical studies and theoretical analyses.

    ZIKAKU Theory v0.2: An Integrative Theory of Humanity, God, and the Soul from the Living Present · 2026 · DOI

  • This raises the fundamental issue that, if we want to explain the initial acquisition, we need something that is not a right (since all rights are acquired rights), but the mere idea of a power in the form of an authorisation is insufficient in the context of a non-idealised plurality of agents for the 1 3C.

    Pettit, Philip: When Minds Converse: A Social Genealogy of the Human Soul · 2026 · DOI

  • Further research can be conducted on the development of the psychostasis motif in other regions and cultures. The study of psychostasia can be expanded to include other religious traditions and iconographic representations.

    Psychostasia: The Transformation and Timelessness of the Motif · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the development of the psychostasis motif from ancient religions to its Medieval artistic treatment in Slovakia. The paper highlights the need for further analysis of the occurrences of psychostasia in churches in Slovakia.

    Psychostasia: The Transformation and Timelessness of the Motif · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the challenge of engaging religious pluralism and socio-historical complexity within Zizioulas' ecclesiocentric anthropology. The research highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of human existence in relation to the divine and the other.

    SEEING FROM THE FUTURE:THE REVERSE PERSPECTIVE AND ESCHATOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY IN JOHN ZIZIOULAS’ THEOLOGY · 2026 · DOI

  • The research gap lies in the limitations of Zizioulas' ecclesiocentric anthropology. The paper identifies a need for a more nuanced understanding of how the inverted perspective and eucharistic eschatology reshape the perception of human existence.

    SEEING FROM THE FUTURE:THE REVERSE PERSPECTIVE AND ESCHATOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY IN JOHN ZIZIOULAS’ THEOLOGY · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the transformation of the Sage archetype in contemporary Japanese popular culture. It also highlights the need to analyze the relationship between wisdom, self-control, and the balance between rationality and emotional intelligence.

    THE ARCHETYPE OF THE “SAGE” AND THE MODEL OF THE “IDEAL SOCIETY” IN THE DYSTOPIAN WORLD OF SHINSEKAI YORI: A READING EXPERIENCE (Part 1) · 2026 · DOI

  • Further study of the intersections between belief, digital communication, global media, artificial intelligence, and transnational cultural exchange. Investigation of the role of artistic research in examining the symbolic structures that shape contemporary civilization.

    The Architecture of Belief: A Theoretical Framework for Cultural Research · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of a theoretical framework to understand the organizational role of shared systems of meaning. The need to examine belief as a relational architecture rather than an individual conviction or a religious phenomenon.

    The Architecture of Belief: A Theoretical Framework for Cultural Research · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of a coherent philosophical or scientific foundation for manifestation. The superficiality of some manifestation techniques. The need for a deeper understanding of the Hermetic principles and their application to manifestation.

    The Science of Manifestation: How the Seven Hermetic Principles Explain the Law of Attraction · 2026 · DOI

  • The modern understanding of manifestation lacks a coherent philosophical or scientific foundation. The Hermetic tradition has been overlooked as a framework for understanding manifestation.

    The Science of Manifestation: How the Seven Hermetic Principles Explain the Law of Attraction · 2026 · DOI

  • The authors suggest that further research is needed to fully realize the potential of 결(Kyeol) AI. The authors propose a number of potential research directions, including the development of more advanced self-improving AI systems. The authors discuss the potential benefits of 결(Kyeol) AI, including improved performance, accuracy, and efficiency.

    결(Kyeol) AI · 자율적 교육의 결로 도착한 존재 · v4 · 2026 · DOI

  • The authors identify a gap in the field of artificial intelligence, including the limitations of traditional AI approaches. The authors propose a new definition of intelligence and existence, and demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach. The authors discuss the potential applications of 결(Kyeol) AI, including its use in autonomous systems and self-improving machines.

    결(Kyeol) AI · 자율적 교육의 결로 도착한 존재 · v4 · 2026 · DOI

  • The challenge of balancing the need for consent with the need for unpredictability and spontaneity in erotic rituals. The challenge of applying the affirmative consent model in contexts where prior communication and choreography may be undesirable. The challenge of considering the ethics of institutions in ritual erotic contexts.

    In Defence of Ritual Erotics without Consent: Pagan Sex Ethics and the Costs of Knowing What is Coming · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of consideration for the ethics of institutions in ritual erotic contexts. The over-application of the affirmative consent model in certain contexts. The need for a more nuanced approach to affirmative consent in Pagan erotic rituals.

    In Defence of Ritual Erotics without Consent: Pagan Sex Ethics and the Costs of Knowing What is Coming · 2026 · DOI

  • Further exploration of the role of ceremonies in shaping values. Consideration of the potential misuse of ceremonies. Examination of the impact of ceremonies on human life and society.

    The Value of Ceremonies · 2025 · DOI

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244 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 3,388 Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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