In the first section he looks at the theoretical base for the subject, definitions, the case for religion, the case against religion and legislative imperatives. In the second section he looks at implications for practice, personal perspectives, dealing with loss, and the areas of forgiveness and social justice. In the third section the author explores diversity, discrimination and empowerment and looks at a particular approach in mental health. The book concludes with a guide to further learning and comprehensive web site and book lists.
Moss approaches his subject with rigour and is not afraid to be robust with spiritual and religious concepts. He starts the book by sharing his own background to provide the reader with a context by which to judge his ideas. As an academic, Moss approaches spirituality and religion from many social and psychological angles. He arrives at a definition of spirituality as "what we do to give expression of our chosen world view", which is neatly put and probably useable but feels a little antiseptic. This is probably less threatening for the wider professional field but may limit the more wonderful areas of the debate.
One of the strongest areas of the book is where Moss challenges professionals, not least those working with young people, to engage with spirituality and religion. He argues that spirituality is a crucial dimension of being human and that it is inappropriate for professionals to overlook this key area of people's lives. He also speaks of how religious and spiritual dimensions throw up dilemmas for the professional and how it is impossible to work with these dilemmas without engaging with religion and faith. Moss explores the implications for a worker with faith, dealing with other faiths and faith blindness in professions.
The book is an important contribution to the debate and is rich with references and thoughts that could lead to further exploration. Youth workers will have to do some translation to relate the ideas in the book back to their practice but there is a lot in here that will be useful to the field.
Religion and Spirituality; By Bernard Moss; Published by Russell House Publishing 2005; Price 13.95; 108 pages; ISBN 1-903855-57-8
Reviewed by Maxine Green, former national youth officer for the Church of England and acting principal youth officer in Camden, and now an independent consultant.
