About the Journal

The Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural (JRSC) is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Widya Agape School of Theology, in cooperation with the Indonesia Christian Theologians Association (ICTA) number 107/SU.KET/PTAKI/2023 and Relawan Jurnal Indonesia (RJI). It is published biannually in April and October with e-ISSN: 2808-1595. JRSC is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia (Decree No. 177/E/KPT/2024, October 15, 2024; SINTA 5).

The Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural was first published in Vol. 1, No. 1 (2020). All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, ensuring that both the reviewers’ and authors’ identities remain anonymous throughout the evaluation process.

Focus and Scope

Journal Religious and Socio-Cultural, JRSC (e-ISSN: 2808-1595) is a peer-reviewed journal published by Office of Research and Development of Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Widya Agape. The Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural (JRSC) is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to exploring the dynamic relationships between religion, culture, and society, with a particular focus on the contexts of Asia and Africa, while being open to research and contributions from around the world. The journal serves as a platform for scholars and researchers to engage with the intersections of religious traditions, socio-cultural structures, and global movements, addressing both region-specific and universal challenges in contemporary society.

The JRSC seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of how religion interacts with and influences socio-cultural systems in Asia and Africa, two regions with rich religious diversity and complex histories. While the primary focus is on the socio-cultural and religious dynamics within these regions, the journal is open to global perspectives, encouraging contributions from all over the world that can enrich our understanding of the relationship between religion, culture, and society.

Aims

  1. Fostering Global Interdisciplinary Dialogue:
    JRSC aims to foster interdisciplinary research that bridges the fields of religious studies, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, political science, and other related disciplines. By focusing on the socio-cultural contexts of Asia and Africa, the journal encourages scholars from all over the world to contribute their perspectives on how religion interacts with social structures, identity, and culture.

  2. Exploring Religion in Asia and Africa:
    The journal provides a platform to explore the pivotal role of religion in shaping societies in Asia and Africa, including its influence on governance, education, public policy, and social movements. We invite research that examines how religious traditions in these regions are evolving and how they interact with modern socio-political challenges such as human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

  3. Encouraging Critical Engagement with Religious and Cultural Issues:
    JRSC seeks to publish research that critically engages with complex religious and socio-cultural issues in Asia and Africa, while also considering how these issues resonate on a global scale. The journal encourages contributions that challenge existing paradigms and offer new insights into the role of religion in fostering social cohesion or contributing to social conflict.

  4. Highlighting Religious Diversity Across Asia and Africa:
    The journal aims to reflect the diversity of religious traditions across Asia and Africa, including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, African Traditional Religions, indigenous belief systems, and secular movements. Research on the interactions between these religions and their respective socio-cultural contexts is encouraged, particularly studies that examine interfaith relations, religious pluralism, and the role of religion in community development.

  5. Contributing to Social Change:
    JRSC is committed to highlighting the role of religion in social transformation. We welcome research on how religious movements and communities in Asia and Africa contribute to or resist social change, particularly in areas related to human rights, education, gender justice, poverty alleviation, and environmental issues. Contributions that explore religion as a tool for activism and social justice are particularly encouraged.

Scope

The Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural covers a wide range of topics at the intersection of religion, culture, and society, with a focus on Asia and Africa, but is open to global research that addresses relevant themes. We invite contributions that explore the following thematic areas:

  1. Religion and Social Transformation in Asia and Africa:
    Articles that examine how religious traditions and movements in Asia and Africa influence or resist social changes, including their roles in politics, law, public policy, and social movements. Research that explores how religious communities contribute to societal changes in both positive and transformative ways is highly welcomed.

  2. Religion, Identity, and Culture:
    Research on the intersection of religion, cultural identity, and social structures, with a particular focus on how religion shapes ethnic, national, and religious identities in Asia and Africa. We welcome articles that examine how religion influences cultural practices, rituals, and the construction of identity in both local and global contexts.

  3. Religious Pluralism and Interfaith Dialogue:
    Asia and Africa are home to diverse religious communities. Articles addressing religious pluralism, interfaith dialogue, and coexistence in these regions are encouraged, especially studies that explore how religious diversity is navigated and negotiated in multicultural societies.

  4. Religion and Politics:
    The journal seeks contributions on the role of religion in politics, governance, and law, particularly in Asia and Africa. Topics include the influence of religion on political ideologies, the role of religious leaders in national and regional politics, and the intersection of religion with social justice and human rights.

  5. Religious Ethics and Social Justice:
    Contributions that explore religious ethics in relation to social justice, human rights, gender equality, and environmental sustainability are encouraged. We seek research that examines how religious traditions in Asia and Africa inspire or challenge social justice movements and how religious teachings are applied to address pressing social and global issues.

  6. Indigenous Religions and Traditional Knowledge:
    Articles focusing on indigenous religious traditions, spirituality, and their socio-cultural roles in Asia and Africa. Research on the preservation of traditional knowledge and the relationship between indigenous belief systems and environmental sustainability is particularly welcomed.

  7. Religion and Technology:
    We invite research that explores how religion in Asia and Africa adapts to and interacts with technological developments. Topics may include the use of digital platforms by religious groups, the impact of new media on religious practices, and how technology is reshaping religious institutions and beliefs in both regions.

  8. Globalization and Religion:
    Research on the effects of globalization on religious practices and communities in Asia and Africa. We welcome articles that examine the spread of religious ideas, the role of migration, and the impact of global networks on local religious movements and communities.

  9. Religion and Health:
    Articles that explore the intersection of religion and health in Asia and Africa, particularly how religious communities contribute to healthcare practices, mental and physical health, and the role of religion in public health responses to crises such as epidemics and pandemics.

  10. Religious Education and Pedagogy:
    Research on religious education and pedagogy in Asia and Africa, focusing on the transmission of religious knowledge and values in diverse educational settings. Contributions that examine the challenges and opportunities of teaching religion in the context of religious and cultural diversity are welcome.

Geographical and Thematic Focus

While the JRSC primarily focuses on the religious and socio-cultural dynamics of Asia and Africa, we encourage submissions from scholars around the world that address these themes in relevant global contexts. Comparative studies, cross-cultural research, and articles that explore how issues in Asia and Africa intersect with other regions are also welcomed.

The Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural is committed to advancing knowledge and fostering global dialogue on the intersection of religion, culture, and society, with a special focus on Asia and Africa. Through interdisciplinary and globally relevant research, we aim to provide insights into how religion shapes and is shaped by the socio-cultural and political contexts of these vital regions, while contributing to global academic discourse.