Theos (think tank)
Encyclopedia
Theos is a public theology think tank
based in the United Kingdom
which exists to undertake research and provide commentary on social and political arrangements. Theos aims to impact opinion around issues of faith and belief in society through research, publications, media engagement and events. Theos was launched in November 2006 with the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury
, Dr Rowan Williams
, and the then Archbishop of Westminster
, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, and maintains an inter-confessional stance. Since that time, Theos has established itself as a respected voice on faith and society issues. The Theos office is based in Central London.
In addition to its independently driven work, Theos provides research, analysis and advice to individuals and organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
The Theos Rescuing Darwin project aimed to 'rescue' the scientist from the crossfire of a theological battle in which he had little personal interest. The main research project comprised four main distinct and independent elements.
The first element was a report, written jointly by Nick Spencer of Theos and Denis Alexander of the Faraday Institute, which set out to argue that Darwinian evolution does not necessitate atheism and that Christianity and evolution are compatible.
The second element was an independent quantitative research project conducted by ComRes, a leading polling and research consultancy serving clients in the UK, Europe and Asia. This study interviewed a statistically representative cross section of the UK public, in order to assess their understanding and opinion of evolutionary and non-evolutionary views, and their perceived relationship (or lack of it) with theistic, atheistic and agnostic opinions.
The third element was an extended interview with the philosopher Mary Midgley, exploring a wide range of related issues including the history of science, the social implications of Darwinism and Darwin's own beliefs.
The fourth element was an independent qualitative research project conducted by ESRO, an ethnographic research consultancy which aims to bring academic thought and rigour into the world of applied research. This study interviewed leading proponents of creationism and intelligent design in the UK, in order to better understand the underlying discourses and ideas which form the foundations of their theories. Interviews focused on the relationship between their theories and those of Darwin and neo-Darwinists, but the research stood independently of any particular argument or paradigm, and aimed at elucidation, rather than seeking evidence which would promote or detract from any individual stance or argument.
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
based in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
which exists to undertake research and provide commentary on social and political arrangements. Theos aims to impact opinion around issues of faith and belief in society through research, publications, media engagement and events. Theos was launched in November 2006 with the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, Dr Rowan Williams
Rowan Williams
Rowan Douglas Williams FRSL, FBA, FLSW is an Anglican bishop, poet and theologian. He is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, Metropolitan of the Province of Canterbury and Primate of All England, offices he has held since early 2003.Williams was previously Bishop of Monmouth and...
, and the then Archbishop of Westminster
Archbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, and maintains an inter-confessional stance. Since that time, Theos has established itself as a respected voice on faith and society issues. The Theos office is based in Central London.
What Theos stands for
What Theos provides
Theos undertakes its work through:- a research and publishing programme,
- high profile lectures, debates, conferences and seminars,
- outreach to university, college and school students,
- news, information and analysis to media companies and other opinion formers,
- regular email bulletins,
- other related activities.
In addition to its independently driven work, Theos provides research, analysis and advice to individuals and organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Publications
"Doing God": A Future for Faith in the Public Square was published to coincide with the think tank's launch in 2006. Since then Theos has published thirteen major reports authored by theologians and social commentators, two major books and a number of other publications and research papers.List of Publications
- "Doing God": A Future for Faith in the Public Square by Nick Spencer
- Coming off the Bench by Andrew Partington and Paul Bickley
- Red, White, Blue... and Brown by Stephen Backhouse
- Neither Private nor Privileged: The Role of Christianity in Britain Today by Nick Spencer
- Talking God: The Legitimacy of Religious Public Reasoning by Jonathan Chaplain
- Rescuing Darwin by Nick Spencer and Denis Alexander
- Faith and Darwin by Caroline Lawes
- Religion and Identity: Divided loyalties? by Sean Oliver-Dee
- The National Lottery: Is it Progressive? by Paul Bickley
- Discussing Darwin by Mary Midgley
- Mapping the Field (evidence on the impact of schools with a Christian ethos) by Elizabeth Green
- Doubting Darwin by Robin Pharaoh, Tamara Hale and Becky Rowe
- God and Government Edited by Nick Spencer and Jonathan Chaplin
- Free to Believe? by Roger Trigg
- Wholly Living CAFOD, Tearfund and Theos
Darwin
2009 was a double Darwin anniversary year.The Theos Rescuing Darwin project aimed to 'rescue' the scientist from the crossfire of a theological battle in which he had little personal interest. The main research project comprised four main distinct and independent elements.
The first element was a report, written jointly by Nick Spencer of Theos and Denis Alexander of the Faraday Institute, which set out to argue that Darwinian evolution does not necessitate atheism and that Christianity and evolution are compatible.
The second element was an independent quantitative research project conducted by ComRes, a leading polling and research consultancy serving clients in the UK, Europe and Asia. This study interviewed a statistically representative cross section of the UK public, in order to assess their understanding and opinion of evolutionary and non-evolutionary views, and their perceived relationship (or lack of it) with theistic, atheistic and agnostic opinions.
The third element was an extended interview with the philosopher Mary Midgley, exploring a wide range of related issues including the history of science, the social implications of Darwinism and Darwin's own beliefs.
The fourth element was an independent qualitative research project conducted by ESRO, an ethnographic research consultancy which aims to bring academic thought and rigour into the world of applied research. This study interviewed leading proponents of creationism and intelligent design in the UK, in order to better understand the underlying discourses and ideas which form the foundations of their theories. Interviews focused on the relationship between their theories and those of Darwin and neo-Darwinists, but the research stood independently of any particular argument or paradigm, and aimed at elucidation, rather than seeking evidence which would promote or detract from any individual stance or argument.