Arts and Humanities Commons^™

An Exhibition And Protest Of Executions In Iran, Donna M. Hughes

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

An exhibition and protest of executions in Iran was held in Washington, D.C. in June 2025. Portraits of 2000 men and women who were killed or executed in Iran since the 1980s were displayed on the National Mall in front of the Capitol. The Iranian Resistance estimates that 30,000 activists were massacred in one period in 1988. Executions of prisoners have continued steadily, making Iran the world’s leading executioner of men and women. In recent years, there has been a sharp escalation in the number of executions of prisoners. A United Nations Special Rapporteur reported that over 800 persons were …

Review Of Viri Dignitatem: Personhood, Masculinity, And Fatherhood In The Thought Of John Paul Ii, Christine Falk Dalessio

Theology Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

The Ghannouchi Test: The Compatibility Of Religious Ideas And Secular Democracy, Andrew P. Sheppe

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

Secular, democratic societies and governments evolved out of religious societies and defined themselves partially in opposition to religious authority. This historical relationship has led to a debate about the compatibility between religious ideas and modern, secular society. Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde posited that secular, democratic societies still depend on religious foundations. Jürgen Habermas disagrees, claiming that processes of rational dialogue can provide sufficient support.

Two prominent twentieth century theologians, Reinhold Niebuhr and Abraham Joshua Heschel demonstrate that democratic systems are enriched and protected by theistic ideas, thus supporting Böckenförde’s dictum. However, they both recognize the importance of epistemic humility and a …

Religious Beliefs, Cooperation, And Evolutionary Mechanisms, Nicole Fellice Ko, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Religion is an organized system of spiritual beliefs, practices, and rituals that often involve a sense of the divine (Schilbrack, 2022). An evolutionary mechanism is an evolved set of traits that interpret environmental inputs and generate behavioral responses that enhance survival or reproductive success (Li et al., 2018). Cooperation refers to the act of individuals or groups working together to achieve a shared goal or mutual benefit (Alós-Ferrer & Garagnani, 2020).

Evolving Ontology And The Case Against Predictive Algorithms In The U.S. Justice System, Eryn Reyes Leong

Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies

In the United States today, predictive algorithms, a particular form of artificial intelligence (AI), permeate all segments of society, including the criminal justice system. With the help of AI, judges are able to “plug” defendants into algorithms and generate outputs that produce a deterministic and homogenous view of defendants. Proponents of predictive algorithms cite accuracy, neutrality, fairness, and efficiency, but what is missing from their calculus is the human person, the central figure who shapes and is shaped by algorithms. Using the story of defendant Darnell Gates as a case study, this article seeks to contribute to the development of …

If We Don’T Lose Heart, John Peckham

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Why Calvin? Naming A Seminary After A Theologian Of Consolation, Sam Neulsaem Ha

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Faith On The Frontlines: Exploring The Religiosity Of Ukrainian Soldiers During War, Alexander Karlsson

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Wartime religiosity among Ukrainian Christian soldiers reveals a spectrum of spiritual responses shaped by personal experience, cultural identity, and institutional dynamics. Interview-based evidence indicates that war influences religious engagement in diverse and often contradictory ways. For many, religiosity intensifies during moments of danger, functioning more as a coping mechanism than a transformation of belief. Institutional realignment may also reflect broader socio-political changes, as soldiers gravitate toward religious communities that resonate with their evolving values. For some, the adoption of Norse mythology illustrates the fluidity and adaptability of religious identity in wartime. Simultaneously, confrontations with theodicy may give rise to both …

Catholic Social Services In Ukraine During The Current War Against Ukraine, Olga Nedavnya

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the organization and content of the social work of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine (RCC in Ukraine) during the ongoing war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The application of the social services of these Churches, its performers and beneficiaries, and the features of the implementation of humanitarian charity in wartime are identified. In the UGCC, social work is supervised by its Department of Social Service, in the RCC in Ukraine by the Caritas-Spes Commission, and the relevant practical activity is carried out mainly through the specific Catholic organizations …

Religious Situation In The Occupied Territory Of Donetsk Region, Roman Dodonov, Andrii Fesenko, Volodymyr Glazunov, Igor Kapritsyn, Olesia Stoliarchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the analysis of dynamics of the religious situation and its impact on the population of the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region in the period from 2014 to 2024. When analyzing the religious situation in the occupied territory, it should be borne in mind that after the beginning of the armed conflict in the Donetsk region, the territory under the control of anti-Ukrainian forces has been constantly changing. The study of the peculiarities of religious processes in the Donetsk region in the light of occupation reveals not only aspects of politics and socio-cultural dynamics, …

Religious Faith In The Context Of The Russian-Ukrainian War: Challenges And Risks, Olena Predko, Mykola Ptytsia

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the role of religious faith in the context of the russian-Ukrainian war, its impact on society, and the challenges and risks faced by religious communities and believers. The study analyzes how the war brings the issue of religious faith-seeking to the forefront, its semantic nuances, and how it transforms religious identity and the level of religiosity among the population. Special attention is given to the use of religious faith in hybrid warfare, the issue of spiritual support for both military personnel and civilians, as well as the risks associated with the politicization of religious life. The article …

The Canonical Status Of The Serbian Patriarch In The Statute Of The Macedonian Orthodox Church From 1960 And Its Differing Interpretations By The Two Churches, Ivan Yovchev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

After lengthy negotiations that began in the 1940s between the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) and the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) regarding the latter’s autocephaly, the Holy Synod of the SOC initially rejected the decisions of the Initiative Council for the formation of the Macedonian Church. However, at a later stage, the SOC revised its stance, and by 1959, it not only recognized the existence of the Macedonian Church but also granted it the right to independent organization and governance in the form of autonomy. The recognized autonomy of the MOC was met with mixed reactions among Macedonian church leaders. The …

Hybrid War: The Influence Of The Russian Orthodox Church On The Ukrainian Media, Oksana Lytvynchuk, Andrii Shevchuk, Zoriana Hrytsyshena

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a key instrument of hybrid warfare against Ukraine. It analyzes the ROC's primary strategies for influencing Ukraine's information space, particularly through religious rhetoric manipulation and the exploitation of ecclesiastical structures to disseminate pro-Kremlin narratives. The study identifies key mechanisms of the ROC's media influence, including direct control over religious media outlets, active participation of clergy in promoting Russian propaganda narratives, financial backing of pro-Russian media projects, and systematic disinformation campaigns about Ukraine's religious landscape.

Key findings demonstrate the destructive consequences of this hybrid warfare: exacerbation of interfaith tensions leading to societal …

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Clerics And Activists Under Suspicion, Under Investigation, Sanctioned, Detained, And/Or Convicted For Collaboration With Russia Or For Promotion Of Russian War Narratives, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The Context

On August 20, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Bill #8371, “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activity of Religious Organizations,” passed by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s legislature. As a measure of wartime national security its provisions include a ban on the staunchly pro-Putin Russian Orthodox Church. It also requires the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), historically subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, to sever all ties with its parent church and to prevent its congregations from abetting the Russian war effort against Ukraine.

Study Of Religious Experience Using The Introspection Method: Case Of Estonia, Siim Nigulas, Tõnu Lehtsaar

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article revisits the method of introspection as a valuable tool for studying religious experience in Estonia, where spirituality is often personal, unaffiliated, and deeply introspective. Drawing on the legacy of the Dorpat school—particularly Karl Girgensohn—it highlights how experimental introspection can illuminate the dimensions of faith. Considering Estonia’s post-Soviet religious individualization, the method offers a culturally fitting and academically rigorous approach. The study argues for the revival and adaptation of introspective techniques to explore the inner dynamics of belief in a secular yet spiritually curious society.

The Bhagavad Gita And The Attitude Of Contemporary Ukrainian Krishna Devotees Towards The Issue Of War And Peace, Vitalii Matvieiev, Olga Dobrodum, Mykola Palinchak, Olena Hudzenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article deals with the main philosophical and ethical provisions of the Bhagavad-Gita, a sacred text, which is a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. A special place is given to the issues related to life, death, fulfillment of duty, i.e., following one’s dharma, which should result in spiritual perfection and liberation from samsara (the cycle of death and birth). The central element of the Bhagavad-Gita is the discussion of the problems of war and peace, presented through the dialog between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The authors of the article …

The Paradoxical Effect: How Destruction Of Religious Buildings In Ukraine Undermined Russian Propaganda Narratives (2022-2024), Oleksandr Kostiuk, Fedir Vlasenko, Vitalii Turenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This research examines the paradoxical relationship between the destruction of religious buildings in Ukraine during the Russian invasion and the effectiveness of Russian propaganda narratives. Using a mixed-methods approach combining statistical data, sociological surveys, and document analysis, we investigate how the systematic targeting of Ukrainian religious sites by Russian forces has produced effects contrary to those likely intended. The research reveals that instead of undermining Ukrainian national identity, the destruction of churches and other religious buildings has catalyzed profound transformations in Ukraine's religious landscape, accelerated the transition of parishes from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to the Orthodox Church …

Comparative Study Of Halal Certification Procedures In Southeast Asia And Middle Eastern Countries, Miura Sekar Nurindra, Nurwahidin Nurwahidin

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

Halal certification is one of the important aspects that can promote the advancement of the halal sector worldwide. Halal certification can be used for products such as food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, services, and others. Each country has provisions, processes, and requirements related to halal certification applications and procedures in their country. The purpose of this study is to explain the comparison of halal certification procedures in various parts of the world using case studies in Southeast Asia countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia and countries in the Middle East such as the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. This research is …

Examining How Spiritual And Communal Practices Mediate The Influence Of Family Worship On Church Satisfaction, Jimmy Adil, Carthy Joy Aguillon, Ray Opao, Susa Opao, Arceli Rosario

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

The influence of family worship on church satisfaction through mediators such as relational care, small group participation, and application of Bible teachings, was examined in this study. Data from 4,538 participants show that these mediators more than doubled the direct effect of family worship, indicating a synergistic relationship between family worship and the mediating variables.

Familiarity With Health Principles And Community Engagement: A Dietary Perspective, Jimmy Adil Jr, Carthy Joy Aguillon, Ray Opao, Susa Opao, Arceli Rosario

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Familiarity with the Adventist Health Message relates differently to outreach involvement depending on diet. Among the 5,849 participants, pescatarians and vegetarians showed a stronger positive link between health message awareness and willingness to increase outreach engagement, while vegans and meat-eaters showed no significant effect, suggesting diet may shape health-belief-driven outreach.

Investigating The Relationship Between Education And Health Choices Of Seventh-Day Adventists, Safary Wa-Mbaleka, Shannon M. Trecartin, Duane C. Mcbride

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

No abstract provided.

The Dynamics Of Awareness And Growth I N Evangelistic Efforts Jv, Jimmy Adil Jr, Carthy Joy Aguillon, Ray Opao, Susa Opao, Arceli Rosario

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Spiritual growth was found to moderate the relationship between awareness of the global “I Will Go” initiative and witnessing to non-Adventists. Analysis of 6,365 responses showed neither factor alone predicted evangelistic engagement, but their interaction had a significant effect (p < 0.001), indicating both are essential for effective outreach.

Reconciling Global Technology With Local Ministry: Divergent Attitudes Toward Ai Among Students And Faculty, Mennen Pearl C. Talibong, Ray Opao

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

The relationship between attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) and weekday involvement in a church ministry varied across roles and generations at a faith-based institution. Students, teaching faculty, and non-teaching faculty showed notable differences, underscoring diverse views on how AI could shape future ministry practices.

Adventist Health Across Cultures, Katia Reinert

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

No abstract provided.

Living Heritage, Resilience And Ethically Informed Infrastructures In Malawi, Martha B. Lerski, Frank Puluputu Mwale

Publications and Research

Rooted in a rural community’s needs, this paper explores how historically, and ethically informed infrastructures can support community engagement towards identification, documentation, and dissemination of local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge relating to climate change. The paper examines climate adaptation and sustainability issues through the lenses of community organizing and Library & Information Science best practices. It draws on a growing body of literature identifying a role for expanded epistemological and subject discipline perspectives. While the impacts of climate on material culture are increasingly recognized, intangible, and biocultural heritage have not received as much attention. Living heritage traditions and knowledge systems …

A Sem Study Of The Three Domains Of Religious Experience, Mediated By Intellectual Humility And Cognitive Flexibility, Predicting Religious Tolerance Among Christian University Students, Conrad Dioniz Zygmont, David Dioniz Bolton

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

The present study extends an existing mediation model of religiosity and socio-cognitive variables influence on religious tolerance by considering three religious co-variates (informal religion/personal spirituality, formalised religiosity, and God image) as antecedents. The sample for this study is recruited through university Christian student associations. The results will be discussed from an Adventist perspective challenging contemporary discourse of religiosity vs spirituality, and image of God.

Leadership Programs As A Moderator Of Youth Involvement In Evangelistic Outreach, Jimmy Adil Jr, Carthy Joy Aguillon, Ray Opao, Susa Opao, Arceli Rosario

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

This study explores how youth involvement in decision-making and leadership preparation influences evangelistic outreach. Using Gen Z data (N = 1,272), quantile regression showed decision-making involvement significantly predicted outreach participation. Leadership preparation also correlated positively, with its moderating effect varying across levels of outreach engagement.

Effect Of Coaching On School Heads’ Servant Leadership Qualities: A Case Of Adventist Primary Schools In Southern Tanzania, Baraka Manjale Ngussa, Devotha Dioniz Magere, Randy Siebold, Ramiro Quero

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Using the quasi-experimental design, this study assessed the role of coaching on school heads’ servant leadership in Tanzania. Twenty-seven employees assessed nine school heads’ servant leadership qualities before and after coaching sessions. Posttest leadership qualities results were significantly higher than pretest results. Therefore, coaching significantly improved the servant leadership qualities.

The Role Of Faith-Based Health Interventions In Managing Mental Health Among Seventh-Day Adventist Youth, Oloo Stephen Nyanjwa Jr

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Participants reported moderate levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, with excessive worry and difficulty concentrating being prominent. Faith-based practices were frequently used and viewed as effective for mental well-being. While comfort in seeking church-based support was moderate, professional help-seeking was low. Most participants were recent members, reflecting shifting church demographics.

Belief In The Pre-Advent Judgment And The Local Resonance Of Global Misinformation Issues, Mennen Pearl C. Talibong, Ray Opao

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

Concerns about misinformation among Adventist students were significantly linked to belief in the Pre-Advent Judgment, unlike among faculty. This study highlights that theological conviction may influence sensitivity to information suppression. Findings suggest that theological education could promote discernment and reduce vulnerability to conspiracy thinking.