Facing Challenges
Religion's Multifaceted Social Influence on Consumption View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kenneth Lord, Sanjay Putrevu, Elizabeth Olson
In the context of the broad trend of declining religious commitment in western societies, this research examines the extent to which religion remains a source of social influence on consumption and the multifaceted nature of such effects. Qualitative-research results reveal that social influence emerges through weak- and strong-tie relationships, can be transient or span generations, and drives a broad range of approach and avoidance behaviors in the marketplace. A ten-item scale is developed to measure religion’s positive and negative social influence in the lives of consumers. Survey results based on the scale show that positive social influence increases with religiosity and age and is seen more strongly among married than single respondents. Avoidance of products or consumption activities out of concern for social ramifications (negative influence) occurs most often among males, Asian Americans and African Americans, and, in terms of religious affiliation, Baptists and non-Christians.
Jesus’ Approach in Liberation of the Poor, Luke 4:18-19: A Lesson for Nigerian Leaders View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mary Emilia Aboekwe
Jesus’ mission was not only a religious one but had social and political implications. From the birth to the death of Jesus, God’s message of liberation is proclaimed in and through Jesus. This work studied Jesus’ inaugural mission in Luke 4: 18 -19 in the context of Nigerian leaders. A theological interpretation was adopted and it was discovered that Luke 4: 18-19 unfolded Jesus’ mission statement. This mission statement centered on preaching the good news to the poor, releasing the captives, healing the sick, liberation to the oppressed, and favour and abundance in the land. Related to the Jewish-Roman world of Jesus and the Nigerian nation, it was discovered that most of the maladies enumerated in Jesus’ inaugural mission statement were prevalent in Nigerian society. Maladies like poverty, oppression, violence, sickness, and diseases are widespread in Nigeria. Poverty affects all irrespective of gender, religion, or ethnicity. There is insecurity everywhere. Unemployment bites harder on Nigeria’s youthful population, they are unable to find a job at the prevailing wage rate. To this effect, therefore, this study proposes Jesus’ liberative technique as a solution to these maladies prevalent in the country. The work challenges the Nigerian leaders to emulate Jesus’ mission statement and take proactive measures in fighting against these social challenges resident in Nigeria today.
Spiritual Care in Times of War: Secular and Religious Approaches in Israel
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sarah Werren
There is growing consensus that the spiritual dimension in the realm of medical care serves the holistic understanding of medicine and health. In Israel, spiritual care was non-existent until a few years ago and its diffusion into the Israeli healthcare system is still very volatile. The Israeli spiritual care movement is a model for a secularized and professional spiritual care, which nevertheless differs from other, especially Western and/or Christian models: it has no "local" roots in a parochial, i.e. pastoral/theological/religious, tradition of chaplaincy (pastoral care). In Israel, most spiritual care providers are not rabbis. Furthermore, against the backdrop of the Jewish population's gap between the secular and very religious, the occupational practice of spiritual care is challenging. The former often suspect religious coertion and the latter secularizing activities. In this paper I discuss first results of my empirical research on the implementation of spiritual care services and programs in Israeli hospitals. Special attention is paid to the war's impact on spiritual care workers' therapeutic role in Israel today.
