Introduction
Religion and social justice are interlinked because they promote human’s overall wellness. A Biblical standpoint teaches Christians to seek God’s standard of right and wrong, adopting a lifestyle that encourages service to others. This concept reinforces the idea that social justice is God’s extension of love and work in defending and safeguarding vulnerable individuals in society (Kasera). As a religious scholar, I am livid that my research area on religion and social justice is intertwined with various elements of my experiences, upbringing and identity since they impact my research stance. In this regard, recognizing and examining my positionality will be vital for upholding the rationality and integrity of my scholarly efforts. Thus, the focus will be on assessing the intersection of my research area and my self-understanding as a scholar, as well as the resultant effects on my work.
Self-Understanding as a Scholar
I was raised in a multicultural and religiously distinct surrounding. This environment influenced my self-understanding as a religious scholar because it enabled me to interact with different elements of life and religious teachings. For example, at home, I was always predisposed to discussions around morality, spirituality and faith, which led me to cultivate a deep curiosity and respect for religious traditions. In addition, my academic journey contributed to the subsequent development and nurturing of my passion by interacting with studies in theology, philosophy and anthropology. Another thing, my religious perspective was enriched by my experiences, having associated with multiple social and academic communities in school and the community. Hence, following these incidents and instances, I have grown to appreciate the different aspects of religious phenomena.
Research Area
I am a proponent of social justice in society, a decision that is influenced by the research area. Religion can be an instrumental tool to promote social justice within the context of marginalized communities because it protects and defends vulnerable individuals. I am interested in examining how religious activities and values impact people’s viewpoints and attitudes toward social justice concerns. The question I intend to answer is whether such perceptions play a role in their engagement in activism and advocacy efforts. Presently, I have narrowed down to explore how religious institutions are addressing systemic inequalities and enhancing inclusive practices in multicultural societies. I intend to highlight how religious teachings influence modern social justice movements through ethnographic observations and qualitative reviews. Necessarily, understanding these perspectives will enrich my research area and positionality.
Impact of Positionality on Research
My approach to exploring religion and social justice has affected my self-understanding as a scholar. My background and religious experiences have contributed to my comprehension of the underlying religious complexities and diversity linked to identity formation, including how they manifest among marginalized populations. These outcomes have enabled me to create a rapport and trust with research participants, leading to authentic and insightful data gathering. Furthermore, my commitment to social justice awareness often encourages me to champion inclusive practices and elaborate on power dynamics within religious setups. Despite these benefits, I must admit the existence of notable limitations posed by my subject position. For instance, I am aware that my viewpoints could impact the interpretation of data and analysis outcomes due to particular religious, cultural and ideological biases. In this view, I must remain reflexive and engaged with different scholarly standpoints to avert assumptions or oversights in my research.
Conclusion
Overall, my research stance and strategy influenced my self-understanding of religion and how it intertwines with social justice. While growing up in a multicultural environment, I was interested in comprehending the various religious traditions and practices. This zeal led to a focus on how the underpinning religious values impact social justice, including faith-informed beliefs and actions among marginalized communities. However, my subject position provided vital revelations, but I am aware of the probable biases it may uphold. It is why I am dedicated to working with humility and commitment by upholding validity and integrity. Therein, my research area will contribute to meaningful scholarly interactions regarding social justice and religion, promoting inclusivity and individual rights.
Work Cited
Kasera, Basilius M. “Religion and Social Justice Social Justice as Praxis.” Namibian Journal of Social Justice – Vol 2, 2022, ocrpl.org/blog/religion-and-social-justice-social-justice-as-praxis-dr-basilius-m-kasera/.
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