Intergroup relations and the factors affecting them constitute a subject of recurring interest within the academic community. Social identity theory suggests that group membership and the value we assign to it drives the expression of in-group favoritism and outgroup prejudice, among other intergroup phenomena. The present study examines how (ir)religious identities are related to topic-sentiment polarization in the form of positive in-group and negative outgroup bias during interreligious debates in YouTube commentaries. Drawing from the propositions of social identity theory, six hypotheses were tested. The data for the study, a product of a natural experiment, are comments posted on YouTube commentary sections featuring videos of interreligious debates between (a) Christian and atheist or (b) Christian and Muslim speakers. Using topic-sentiment analysis, a multistage method of topic modeling with latent semantic analysis (LSA) and sentiment analysis, 52,607 comments, for the Christian - atheist debates, and 24,179 comments, for the Christian - Muslim debates, were analyzed. The results offer support (or partial support) to the hypotheses demonstrating identity-specific instances of topic-sentiment polarization to the predicted direction. The study offers valuable insights for the relevance of social identity theory in real-world interreligious interactions, while the successful application of topic-sentiment analysis lends support for the more systematic utilization of this method in the context of social identity theory.

L’origine, le vécu et les appartenances des nouveaux arrivants au Québec sont, depuis les années 1960, de plus en plus diversifiés. Les défis de cette nouvelle réalité amènent l’utilisation d’approches d’intervention en contexte interculturel favorisant le développement d’une plus grande sensibilité culturelle et l’appropriation de stratégies palliant les obstacles à la compréhension et la collaboration entre intervenants sociaux et personnes aidées. Cependant, ces approches n’abordent que peu ou pas l’aspect religieux ou spirituel, ce qui peut parfois constituer pour le nouvel arrivant une part majeure de son identité. Bien que des politiques canadiennes soulignent la nécessité de considérer la dimension religieuse, la vision dominante actuelle face à cette réalité en vient pourtant à marginaliser cet aspect de l’identité des nouveaux arrivants. Ceci caractérise bien la réalité de la population musulmane envers laquelle l’opinion publique contribue à entretenir une crainte générale. Considérant les précédents constats et étant donné le peu de données existantes à ce sujet au Québec, la présente recherche qualitative souhaite ainsi explorer et mieux comprendre le point de vue de huit personnes immigrantes de confession musulmane quant à la considération de leur identité religieuse dans les services qu’ils reçoivent ou ont reçus par le passé de la part d’intervenants sociaux. Par le recours à l’approche interculturelle systémique, les données recueillies lors des entretiens effectués ont permis de mettre de l’avant des vécus diversifiés quant à la façon dont le religieux est accueilli en contexte de relation d’aide. Elles ont également rendu possible la mise en exergue du contexte social et politique dans lequel s’inscrit le présent projet et l’impact que ce contexte a sur le vécu quotidien des personnes interrogées. Mots-clés : immigration, islam, identité, intervention sociale, interculturel systémique, étude qualitative / The origins, experiences and backgrounds of newcomers to the province of Quebec have been increasingly diverse since the 1960s. The challenges of this new reality has led to the use of intervention approaches in an intercultural context that favour the development of a greater cultural sensitivity and the appropriation of strategies to overcome obstacles to understanding and collaborating between social stakeholders and those assisted. However, these approaches do little or do not address the religious or spiritual aspect, which can sometimes be a major part of the newcomer’s identity. While Canadian policies emphasize the need to consider the religious dimension, the current dominant view of this reality is yet to marginalize this aspect of the identity of newcomers. This characterizes the reality of the Muslim population who is held in fear because of public prejudice. Considering the previous findings and given the limited data available on this subject in the city of Quebec, this qualitative research seeks to explore and obtain a better understanding of the perspectives of eight Muslim immigrants regarding whether or not their religious identity is taken into consideration during services they receive or have received in the past by social workers. Throughout the use of the intercultural systemic approach, the data collected during the interviews made it possible to highlight diverse experiences regarding the way in which the religious is received in context of the aid relationship. It also made it possible to describe the social and political context in which this project is situated and the impact that this context has on the daily experience of the respondents. Key words: immigration, islam, identity, social intervention, intercultural approach, systemicapproach, qualitative research.

Au cours des Ier et IIe siècles, les chrétiens furent rapidement appelés à comparaître devant l'autorité romaine. Engendrés par des contextes de tensions sporadiques et localisés, ces procès opposèrent les chrétiens à l'Altérité plurielle que constituaient alors les Judéens et les Gentils. Or, ces procès semblent avoir joué un rôle déterminant dans le processus de construction d'une conscience identitaire chrétienne, car ils obligèrent les chrétiens à réfléchir sur leurs spécificités tout en les obligeant à affirmer à l'Autre cette spécificité. En analysant ces interactions entre les chrétiens et l'Altérité à travers la procédure judiciaire romaine, cette étude tentera de mettre en lumière certaines caractéristiques de cette conscience identitaire chrétienne des Ier et IIe siècles.

The purpose of this study was to present an analysis of Naguib Mahfouz’s writings in relationship to modern Islam, changes in Egyptian Islam, the impact of colonialism, and modern Muslim Identity. The divergent effects and results of transformations in Egypt are analyzed through history, literature, and religion using theoretical religious, psychological, historical, and social world views. Selected writings of Naguib Mahfouz are used as the central body of literature. Naguib Mahfouz’s writings provide a plethora of divergent views on Egypt, Islam, and the emerging new Muslim Identity. Mahfouz’s writings centralize the many dilemmas that Muslims face today in light of modernity, western influences, and a transforming Islam. In this study there were some conclusions drawn about modern Islam and literature that discuss modern Islam as reflected in Mahfouz’s literary portrayals of ordinary Muslims living in Cairo and Alexandria oscillating between their native Eastern culture and Western colonial influences, as well as the existential and spiritual questions that accompany change for modern Muslims. / Religious Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

This research examines the topic of the Christian mission to Muslims in Ethiopia. The Insider Movement paradigm is examined with respect to the meaning of conversion and identity and how these concepts may best be understood in support of Muslim outreach. The study area of Ethiopia is not a Muslim majority nation but rather is pluralistic society and political system. Thus the most specific application is other sub-­‐ Saharan, non-­‐Muslim majority nations in Africa. The cultural and historical context of Ethiopia is first explored with special reference to factors arising from or focusing upon religion. Literature is reviewed regarding evangelization, church planting, and outreach to Muslims. The concept of conversion is discussed at length from both social science and Christian theological paradigms. The topic of identity is explored including identity theory as used among sociology, psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. The research was conducted and analyzed using concepts from the philosophical orientation of critical hermeneutics with specific use of the communication theory of Jurgen Habermas and narrative theory of Paul Ricoeur. The narrative identity theory of Ricoeur was found to be appropriate to a mission to Muslims. An understanding of conversion as being a process of transformation into Christ-­‐likeness through the power of the Holy Spirit was found to be most compatible with Muslim outreach. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is motivated by a call by some African theologians for an African theology of reconstruction, specifically Mugambi. Its intended contribution is to propose a biblical paradigm from the Old Testament for an African theology of reconstruction. The study is fully convinced that a successful reconstruction process in Africa is possible if the process of identity formation is recognised as a strongly influential force on the process. The identity formation process needs to be consciously driven into a particular direction. The study identifies two factors that influence the success or failure of a reconstruction process. The two factors, which are conversely related, are community solidarity and social conflict. Community solidarity facilitates reconstruction and social conflict retards it. As far as the study is concerned, both of these factors are products of identity formation. If an identity formation process is exclusive it results in social conflict and if it is inclusive it results in community solidarity. The unfortunate part, according to the study, in any newly liberated nation, is that identity formation is inevitable. Because the Judean community of the Second Temple was a newly liberated community, the study suggests an exploration of their identity formation process. Although the contexts might not be the same, the suggestion is based on the hope that some lessons which can be of value to the African identity formation process might be learnt. The different ideologies that endeavoured to direct the identity formation of that community can potentially inform us of important issues to take note of when engaging in an identity formation process. Amongst the diverse historiographies of the Second Temple period, the study will explore two historiographies, namely, Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles. There are two reasons why these particular historiographies are chosen. The first one is that Nehemiah has already been proposed by some scholars as a biblical paradigm for a theology of reconstruction. The second one is that Chronicles, in many respects is related to Nehemiah and therefore provides a suitable comparison for a research study of this nature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie word gemotiveer deur ‘n oproep deur sommige Afrika-teoloë tot ‘n Afrikateologie van rekonstruksie, veral deur Mugambi. Die bydrae wat die studie wil maak is om ‘n bybelse paradigma vanuit die Ou Testament vir ‘n Afrika-teologie van rekonstruksie voor te stel. Die studie is oortuig daarvan dat ‘n suksesvolle rekonstruksie in Afrika moontlik is as die proses van identiteitsvorming erken word as ‘n sterk-beïnvloedende krag in hierdie rekonstruksie. Die identiteitsvormingsproses moet doelbewus in ‘n bepaalde rigting gestuur word. Hierdie studie identifiseer twee faktore wat bepalend is vir die sukses al dan nie van die rekonstruksieproses. Die twee faktore wat oneweredig aan mekaar verwant is, is gemeenskapsolidariteit en sosiale konflik. Gemeenskapsolidariteit fasiliteer rekonstruksie, terwyl sosiale konflik dit vertraag. Hierdie studie aanvaar dat beide hierdie faktore produkte van ‘n identiteitsvormingsproses is. As ‘n identiteitsvormingsproses eksklusief funksioneer, lei dit tot sosiale konflik, maar as dit inklusief is, is die resultaat gemeenskapsolidariteit. Die ongelukkige deel hiervan, volgens hierdie studie, is dat identiteitsvorming in ‘n nuut-bevryde nasie onafwendbaar is. Aangesien die Judese gemeenskap van die Tweede Tempelperiode ‘n nuutbevryde gemeenskap was, stel hierdie study voor dat ‘n verkenning van hul identiteitsvormingsprosesse gemaak moet word. Hoewel die onderskeie kontekste nie dieselfde mag wees nie, word hierdie voorstel gemaak vanuit die hoop dat ‘n aantal lesse geleer kan word wat van waarde mag wees vir die Afrika identiteitsvormingsprosesse. Die verskillende ideologieë wat invloedryk was in die identeitsvormingsprosesse van daardie gemeenskap kan ons potensieel bewus maak van belangrike kwessies waaraan aandag gegee moet word in ‘n identiteitsvormingsproses. In die konteks van die diverse historiografieë van die Tweede Tempelpreiode sal twee historiografieë verken word, naamlik Esra-Nehemia en Kronieke. Daar is twee redes waarom hierdie spesifieke historiografieë gekies is. Die eerste is dat Nehemia alreeds voorheen voorgestel is as ‘n moontlike bybelse paradigma vir ‘n teologie van rekonstruksie. Die tweede is dat Kronieke in vele opsigte aan Nehemia verwant is en juis daarom ‘n gepaste vergelykingsbron is in ‘n navorsingstudie soos hierdie.

This research examines the topic of the Christian mission to Muslims in Ethiopia. The Insider Movement paradigm is examined with respect to the meaning of conversion and identity and how these concepts may best be understood in support of Muslim outreach. The study area of Ethiopia is not a Muslim majority nation but rather is pluralistic society and political system. Thus the most specific application is other subSaharan, non-Muslim majority nations in Africa. The cultural and historical context of Ethiopia is first explored with special reference to factors arising from or focusing upon religion. Literature is reviewed regarding evangelization, church planting, and outreach to Muslims. The concept of conversion is discussed at length from both social science and Christian theological paradigms. The topic of identity is explored including identity theory as used among sociology, psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. The research was conducted and analyzed using concepts from the philosophical orientation of critical hermeneutics with specific use of the communication theory of Jurgen Habermas and narrative theory of Paul Ricoeur. The narrative identity theory of Ricoeur was found to be appropriate to a mission to Muslims. An understanding of conversion as being a process of transformation into Christ-likeness through the power of the Holy Spirit was found to be most compatible with Muslim outreach. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

The purpose of this study was to present an analysis of Naguib Mahfouz’s writings in relationship to modern Islam, changes in Egyptian Islam, the impact of colonialism, and modern Muslim Identity. The divergent effects and results of transformations in Egypt are analyzed through history, literature, and religion using theoretical religious, psychological, historical, and social world views. Selected writings of Naguib Mahfouz are used as the central body of literature. Naguib Mahfouz’s writings provide a plethora of divergent views on Egypt, Islam, and the emerging new Muslim Identity. Mahfouz’s writings centralize the many dilemmas that Muslims face today in light of modernity, western influences, and a transforming Islam. In this study there were some conclusions drawn about modern Islam and literature that discuss modern Islam as reflected in Mahfouz’s literary portrayals of ordinary Muslims living in Cairo and Alexandria oscillating between their native Eastern culture and Western colonial influences, as well as the existential and spiritual questions that accompany change for modern Muslims. / Religious Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

La première épître de Paul aux Thessaloniciens (1 Thés) est un texte à caractère pastoral évoquant les relations des « apôtres » avec « l’Église des Thessaloniciens ». Le texte Identité chrétienne de l’Assemblée des évêques du Québec (AEQ) est aussi un texte à caractère pastoral évoquant les relations d’un « Comité de théologie » avec « plusieurs communautés chrétiennes » actuelles. À l’aide d'outils linguistiques, nous avons fait une lecture de la première épître de Paul aux Thessaloniciens en dégageant des structures identitaires. À l’aide des travaux de Michel de Certeau, nous avons repris les structures dégagées dans l’épître pour lire le texte Identité chrétienne et pour critiquer son approche identitaire. Ainsi, nous avons dégagé deux types de discours identitaires: l’un davantage d’ordre idéologique (AEQ), associant « donné révélé » et « institution », l’autre davantage d’ordre éthique (1 Thés), associant « pratique intersubjective » et « vie théologale ».

This thesis is a missiological study of the francophone churches in the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Francophone churches may be classified as African Initiated Churches (AIC) that have been planted by migrants from the French speaking countries of central Africa. They are characterised by the use of French and English as languages of worship and communication. The planting and the presence of these churches have become a more visible and remarkable mission phenomenon drawing scientific attention and is worthy of studying. The main issue of this study is the missionality of the Francophone churches. The investigation concerns the ways in which Francophone churches understand the mission of God, known as missio Dei, and the ways in which they express it in the community. In practice the exploration of the missionality of the Francophone churches discloses their nature, raison d’être, and their purpose, as well as their ministries, and allows us to determine the relevancy of these churches in the community. For this reason, in the study I explore and describe also the concept of the missional church in order to apply it to the Francophone churches. To that end, “Patterns of missional church” are used to measure the extent to which Francophone churches are missional. The study suggests the parameters of the development of a missional culture in a Francophone congregation and highlights the importance of the missional leadership in this respect. Finally the study proposes some missional ministries or contextual ministries that may express practically the missionality and consequently the relevancy of Francophone churches in their context. / Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)