Asian Journal of Philosophy and Religion

The Change in the Religious Life of Caodaism During the Process of Urbanization in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Today

2025-05-26T10:37:19+00:00

Cao Dai is one of the major religions in Vietnam. In the course of urbanization, this religion has undergone fundamental transformations, particularly in large cities such as Ho Chi Minh City. Based on a study of two specific religious temples, Bau Sen Temple and Thai Hoa Temple, this article evaluates the key characteristics of Cao Dai religious practices in the context of current urbanization. It also outlines the extent to which urbanization in Ho Chi Minh City has influenced Cai Dai, focusing on issues related to the organization and management of the temples. The findings reveal that the religious life of Cai Dai in Ho Chi Minh City today is marked by increasing openness and secularization. At the same time, the persistence of traditional religious rituals and the stable number of adherents reflect the enduring sacredness and deep-rooted faith among Cao Dai followers.

The POKE Cikarang Community and the Dynamics of Life Partner Selection Among Christian Workers in the Midst of Diversity

2025-11-01T12:53:44+00:00

Marriage represents a crucial phase in human existence, encompassing not only personal dimensions but also reflecting values deeply rooted in faith, culture, and social obligations. This community service aimed to strengthen the faith-based fellowship of Christian workers within the POKE Cikarang community and to support their decision-making in selecting life partners amid workplace diversity. The program involved online and onsite mentoring, worship sessions, and small group discussions using contextual and participatory methods. Activities were conducted over six months through Zoom and WhatsApp platforms, enabling flexible engagement for participants. The results showed increased spiritual maturity, stronger interpersonal connections, and a more thoughtful approach to faith-based relationships. This initiative demonstrates that spiritual communities can foster unity, growth, and resilience in pluralistic professional environments.

Christian Ethics as an Effort to Address Moral Crisis in Juvenile Delinquency

2025-11-01T12:37:54+00:00

This study examines the role of Christian ethics as a strategic framework to address moral crises associated with juvenile delinquency. Juvenile delinquency is a complex social phenomenon influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including family dynamics, peer relationships, educational environments, digital media exposure, and spiritual formation. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, integrating data from interviews, observations, and document analysis, validated through triangulation techniques. Findings indicate that Christian ethics, grounded in biblical principles such as love, forgiveness, responsibility, and self-discipline, provides a holistic moral framework that guides adolescents toward ethical decision-making and constructive behavior. The transformative work of the Holy Spirit is highlighted as a central mechanism for internal moral renewal, fostering self-control and spiritual discernment that counteract tendencies toward delinquent behavior.

Between Light and Shadow: Angels, Satan, and Jinn in Islamic and Christian Perspectives

2025-11-01T06:53:25+00:00

The study of angels, demons, and jinn is a crucial theme in both Islamic and Christian theology, as it relates to faith, religious practices, and socio-cultural perceptions. This research employs a qualitative method through library research and a comparative approach, using the Qur’an and the Bible as primary sources, supported by classical commentaries of Ibn Kathir and Matthew Henry, along with academic works on demonology. The findings reveal that in Islam, angels are understood as obedient spiritual beings, demons originate from rebellious jinn, and jinn themselves are creatures with free will. In contrast, Christianity views angels as God’s messengers, demons as fallen angels, while the concept of jinn aligns more closely with evil spirits. These differences influence not only theology but also spiritual practices, popular culture, and interfaith dialogue.

From Consumers to Co-creators: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Participatory Christian Learning Among Millennials and Gen Z

2025-11-01T06:32:48+00:00

This qualitative study, grounded in a constructivist framework, investigates the role of social media in transforming Millennials and Gen Z from passive consumers into active co-creators of Christian learning. Through an analysis of participatory interactions on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the research examines how these digital environments facilitate the collective construction of religious knowledge. Findings reveal that user-generated content, dialogical exchanges, and communal interpretation of scripture empower young believers to shape personalized and contextually relevant theological understandings. The study concludes that social media acts as a pivotal catalyst for a participatory paradigm shift, fostering a dynamic, peer-driven faith formation process that redefines contemporary Christian pedagogy.

Clarifying Husserl’s Epoche: Misinterpretations and its Role in Phenomenological Inquiry through Dan Zahavi’s Perspective

2025-11-01T12:45:50+00:00

Husserl’s concept of epoché is central to phenomenology, allowing for the suspension of presuppositions to examine experience as it is given. It provides a neutral standpoint for exploring consciousness and the structures of experience and being. Dan Zahavi, in Husserl’s Phenomenology, offers a nuanced interpretation of epoché, clarifying its purpose and addressing common misunderstandings particularly the false view that it denies or abandons reality. Zahavi emphasizes that epoché suspends dogmatic attitudes toward reality, not reality itself, enabling a more authentic engagement with how consciousness constitutes meaning. His interpretation deepens the methodological and philosophical significance of Husserl’s thought, particularly in relation to subjectivity, intentionality, and world constitution.

Between Covenant and Contract: Islamic Marriage Law from the Perspective of Matthew 19:4–6

2025-11-01T12:34:16+00:00

There are some similarities in views on marriage between Islam and Christianity, there are also several striking theological differences between the two religions. Some of the most striking differences concern the laws of marriage and divorce. The research was conducted using a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. Literature review was conducted on various academic sources, including books and journals discussing marriage in Islam and Christianity, as well as expositions of the text of Matthew 19:4-6. The results of the study indicate that the most striking difference between the theological views of Islam and Christianity is that the marriage bond is dissolvable in Islam but indissolvable in Christianity. Furthermore, Islam adheres to the ideal monogamy with the possibility of polygamy, while Christianity adheres to absolute monogamy.

Christian Morality and Social Inequality: A Contextual Study of the Crisis of Public Trust in People's Representatives

2025-11-01T06:42:54+00:00

The purpose of this contextual theology-based study is to analyze the leadership character transformation embedded in Christian ethical values, particularly in preventing corruption, upholding justice, and building institutional trust. Through a qualitative study with philosophical textual analysis and selected case studies, this study reveals that persistent social inequality is often maintained by a system that exploits political power legitimation. Meanwhile, religious institutions, particularly churches, which play a crucial role in shaping the character of leaders with faith-based integrity, are still struggling with both internal and external challenges. The findings of this study showed that leadership transformation based on Christian morality should not merely focus on individual transformation but also systemic, which requires a reconciliation between Gospel values and contemporary democratic practices.