1st Edition
Connecting Spirituality and Social Justice Conceptualizations and Applications in Macro Social Work Practice
Jim Wallis, well-known justice advocate and author, has stated that the two great hungers in the world today are for spirituality and social justice. Although social work and related fields have increasingly recognized the importance of addressing spirituality within clinical practice, less attention has been paid to the role of spirituality in promoting social justice or supporting social change within macropractice. The contributions in this edited collection highlight current developments in this area, including emerging conceptual frameworks, practice applications and research findings. Theoretical approaches to understanding the link between spirituality and justice are explored in analyses of alternative models of social justice and justice orientations of major faith traditions. The critical role of spirituality in larger system change is illustrated through exemplars of research on vulnerable populations, community practice, legislative advocacy, development of social movements, and ecological social work. The importance of including content on religion and spirituality in professional curricula is explored through research on students’ attitudes toward spirituality and social advocacy. Noting the resonating themes within all of these contributions, the volume concludes with an overview of emerging principles for spiritual activism.
This book aims to stimulate further development in the vital connection between spirituality and social justice. It was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work.
Introduction: Connecting Spirituality and Social Justice Within Macropractice Michael J. Sheridan
1. Comparing Rawlsian Justice and the Capabilities Approach to Justice from a Spiritually Sensitive Social Work Perspective Mahasweta M. Banerjee and Edward R. Canda
2. The Conceptual and Empirical Relationship Between Spirituality and Social Justice: Exemplars from Diverse Faith Traditions David R. Hodge
3. HIV/AIDS and Spirituality in a South African Township: A Qualitative Study Robert J. Barney and Stephan L. Buckingham
4. We Shall Overcome: Promoting an Agenda for Integrating Spirituality and Community Practice Anthony J. Hill and Linda Plitt Donaldson
5. Explosion of the Spirit: A Spiritual Journal into the 2010 Healthcare Reform Legislation Simone Campbell
6. Spirituality, Religion, and Progressive Social Movements: Resources and Motivation for Social Change Elizabeth D. Hutchison
7. The Spirituality of Justice: Bringing Together the Eco and the Social Arielle Dylan and John Coates
8. The Abolition of Slavery Movement as a Moral Movement: Ethical Resources, Spiritual Roots, and Strategies for Social Change Mishka Lysack
9. The Relationship Between Spirituality and Social Justice Advocacy: Attitudes of Social Work Students Michael K. Prior and Andrew S. Quinn
10. Spiritual Activism: Grounding Ourselves in the Spirit Michael J. Sheridan
Biography
Michael Sheridan, Ph.D. is Associate Professor with the National Catholic School of Social Service at the Catholic University of America, where she is also Director of NCSSS’s Center for Spirituality and Social Work. Dr. Sheridan’s scholarship includes over 70 publications and presentations on spirituality and social work practice and education.
