SHERM Vol. 5, No. 1

Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry (SHERM Journal) is a biannual (not-for-profit) peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes the latest social-scientific, historiographic, and ecclesiastic research on religious institutions and their ministerial practices. SHERM is dedicated to the critical and scholarly inquiry of historical and contemporary religious phenomena, both from within particular religious traditions and across cultural boundaries, so as to inform the broader socio-historical analysis of religion and its related fields of study.

The purpose of SHERM Journal is to provide a scholarly medium for the social-scientific study of religion where specialists can publish advanced studies on religious trends, theologies, rituals, philosophies, socio-political influences, or experimental and applied ministry research in the hopes of generating enthusiasm for the vocational and academic study of religion while fostering collegiality among religion specialists. Its mission is to provide academics, professionals, and nonspecialists with critical reflections and evidence-based insights into the socio-historical study of religion and, where appropriate, its implications for ministry and expressions of religiosity.

Religious Trauma Studies

The Percentage of U.S. Adults Suffering from Religious Trauma: A Sociological Study

Religion and Politics

More on the Relevance of Personhood and Mindedness: The Euthanasia Debate

The Trickster: A Political Theology for Our Time

Interreligious Dialogue

The True Ring Cannot Be Worn: A Panikkarian Way Out of the Logic of the Three Rings

Understanding Understanding, the Foundation of Interreligious Dialogue

Historical Jesus

Jesus, Socialism, and "Judeo-topia"

Islamic Studies

Religion as Brand: ISIS and Al-Qaeda as Sub-brands of Islam

Philosophy of Religion

Defending the Hypothesis of Indifference

Book Review

When Religion Hurts You by Laura E. Anderson