Buildings are more than the sum of their parts. They become meaningful spaces that play a substantial role in our sense of belonging. The large-scale demolition of synagogue buildings during the...Show moreBuildings are more than the sum of their parts. They become meaningful spaces that play a substantial role in our sense of belonging. The large-scale demolition of synagogue buildings during the Holocaust and its aftermath therefore not only destroyed these buildings, but also destroyed the stories these buildings tell and the meanings they conveyed in the past and, potentially, in the future. We can still find Jewish architecture on the Dutch landscape, embodying a certain continuity of a Dutch Jewish past. In this thesis, qualitative research methods reveal the contemporary interactions that take place within these prewar structures. Using two case studies, namely synagogues in Brielle and Delft, this thesis envisions Jewish life in the Netherlands through the lens of Jewish spaces. This spatial approach discloses a richer and more inclusive understanding of contemporary Jewishness, and simultaneously explores the limits of meaning that a synagogue has.Show less
This thesis examines the concept of reverse mission as a missionary ideal within a Nigerian-originated Christian church. This concept has been highly debated by academics since the development of...Show moreThis thesis examines the concept of reverse mission as a missionary ideal within a Nigerian-originated Christian church. This concept has been highly debated by academics since the development of the trend in the late 20th century. By introducing the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a Dutch parish called ‘The Fruitful Vine’ the concept of reverse mission as seen by the headquarters, and the way it is experienced by actual members is compared. The data is collected by conducting interviews and fieldwork, which are later analysed within the theoretical framework of the reverse mission. By using an ethnography case study this thesis contributes to the larger academic study of the growing number of migrant churches and the phenomenon of the reverse mission in the Netherlands. This thesis demonstrates that the concept of the reverse mission as perceived by the RCCG headquarters does not fit the lived experiences of the member of The Fruitful Vine at this moment in time.Show less
In de religiewetenschappen wordt Nederland veelal als ‘het’ voorbeeld van het geseculariseerde Westen gezien. Tegelijkertijd is sinds de jaren 60 zowel de islam als algemene spiritualiteit buiten...Show moreIn de religiewetenschappen wordt Nederland veelal als ‘het’ voorbeeld van het geseculariseerde Westen gezien. Tegelijkertijd is sinds de jaren 60 zowel de islam als algemene spiritualiteit buiten de muren van gevestigde religieuze instituten sterk gegroeid. Nederland is divers, de vraag is dan, is er 'iets' dat de Nederlandse samenleving bijeenbrengt. En kan dit 'iets' een Civil Relgion genoemd worden? Vanuit sociologische methodologie, aan de hand van literatuuronderzoek over Rousseau's, Durkheim's en Bellah's werken over Civil Religion, en kwantitatief casusonderzoek tracht dit onderzoek deze vraag te beantwoorden. Dit onderzoek leidt tot de conclusie dat Nederland daadwerkelijk een Civil Religion heeft. Rousseau's visie komt tot leven in de vorm van burgerschapsvorming onderwijs op de basis- en middelbare scholen in Nederland. Durkheims sociale kijk op Civil Religion kan teruggevonden worden op de verbondenheid die Nederlanders voelen bij het uitdragen van gedeelde sociale rituelen.Show less
Een kort samenvattend overzicht van de gebeurtenissen rondom de christenvervolging op Japan in de 17e eeuw. Hierbij is er gekeken naar de aanleidingen die er voor hebben gezorgd dat de Portugezen...Show moreEen kort samenvattend overzicht van de gebeurtenissen rondom de christenvervolging op Japan in de 17e eeuw. Hierbij is er gekeken naar de aanleidingen die er voor hebben gezorgd dat de Portugezen niet meer welkom waren op Japan wegens de geloofsverspreiding en hoe het de Nederlanders gelukt is om deze handelspositie met Japan van de Portugezen over te nemen met betrekking tot religieuze verschillen.Show less
This thesis research is about the symbols that appear in the interview reports of the spiritual experiences of seven Iranian Armenians. It analyzes these symbols using a Durkheimian approach, which...Show moreThis thesis research is about the symbols that appear in the interview reports of the spiritual experiences of seven Iranian Armenians. It analyzes these symbols using a Durkheimian approach, which is comprised of Émile Durkheim’s (1858-1917) and Wilbur Urban’s (1873-1952) theories. Specifically, the social functions of symbols are researched, following Durkheim, and the meaning layers of symbols are analyzed, following Urban. The Iranian Armenian symbols turn out to vary in their social function, and consist of a concrete and an abstract meaning layer. Most of them trace their origin to the participants’ Armenian Orthodox Christian denomination. The symbols that do not, are still influenced by the group religion concerning their meanings. This implies that the group religion is important for the meaning assignment of individuals.Show less
