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In this paper, we present the results of a scoping review in which we examined the scientific literature (2010–2021) on faith-based organizations (FBOs) working within the field of poverty alleviation, focusing on the way studies define and use the term FBO. Fifty-two relevant studies were identified and included. Our research shows that the term FBOs is primarily used in American studies. Moreover, there is no broad consensus on the exact definition or meaning of the term nor on its scope. Because of this lack of consensus and the inherent shortcomings of the term, we suggest to replace the term FBO by the term "religion-based solidarity initiatives" (RSIs), We define RSIs as: "Initiatives that, from a religious inspiration, aim at organizing collective action for and/or providing support or services to people in vulnerable positions." These initiatives can range from small scale ad hoc initiatives till large scale formal organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a national survey of Master of Social Work (MSW) program leaders' religious and spiritual beliefs and practices across the United States. Of the 257 eligible MSW programs primary contacts, 119 (46.8%) responded to the survey, with 90 completing the items related to religion and spirituality (RS). Specifically, those RS items assessed participants' religious affiliation, intrinsic religiosity, frequency of religious service attendance and private religious activities, the degree to which the respondent is religious or spiritual, and their RS practices. Among our respondents, 80 (88.9%) held a position of leadership (e.g., dean/chair, associate dean, or program director). The results indicated that these MSW program leaders consider religion and spirituality to be important, are engaging in various RS practices, and over half reporting elements of intrinsic religiosity. Additionally, we compared this sample's responses to these items with a national sample of clinical social workers and another sample of adults across the United States. Interestingly, a number of differences emerged between MSW program leaders' RS with LCSWs and US adults. This paper addresses the implications of these findings, particularly in light of the sample being predominantly MSW program leaders, including how leaders' RS may influence the implicit and explicit curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of some concerning trends regarding social service delivery, this paper syntheses the emerging literature on religious congregations. After government, congregations are the most prominent providers of social services in the United States. Because the long-term viability of government human services is threatened by growing deficits and escalating social needs, congregations are likely to be an increasingly important vehicle for alleviating human suffering. Congregations also offer serval unique strengths. For example, they frequently assist underserved populations that more traditional secular providers may not reach, a practice that may help ameliorate health disparities. They also provide a forum in which entrepreneurial social enterprises can be incubated. This paper concludes by offering several suggestions to assist social workers and other helping professionals work with congregations to enhance client wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antisemitism, one of the oldest forms of prejudice and oppression is surging throughout the world. It ranges from verbal abuse to the destruction of property to murder. In the last two years, attacks against Jews in the United States were the overwhelming target of religion-based hate crimes. Stereotypes and myths continue to fuel prejudice and antisemitism in society. Factors such as anti-Israel sentiments, remarks by persons in power, the use of social media, white nationalism, and even the Covid 19 pandemic have contributed to its escalation. As a result of the increasing violence, the U.S. legislature held a hearing on confronting antisemitic terrorism with one outcome being that social workers and community advocates were needed to join law enforcement in the effort to heal and work for justice. Social work with its mandate to promote social justice and human rights and challenge oppression cannot ignore antisemitism and its impact on individuals and societies. However, the subject is basically ignored in the curriculum. This paper offers a brief history of antisemitism and presents guidelines and models for integrating it into social work programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated Muslim scholars' immediate YouTube reactions towards President Trump during the November 2016 post-election week. Muslim scholars, also known as Imams or religious leaders, can promote social justice and rally the Muslim community, positively or negatively. Thematic analysis suggested reasons for Trump winning the election, and issues of unity and social justice. The analysis implies that Muslim scholars can be positive first responders and help bind both their Muslim and neighborhood community. The results of this study can help social workers together with Muslim scholars devise better interventions and use online media for community outreach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religion and spirituality (RS) are vital aspects of client identity and well-being, yet social work professionals are often ill-equipped to address these in practice due to a lack of specialized training. The National Association of Social Work (NASW) and Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) support integrating RS content into social work curriculum, but existing research focuses on Master of Social Work (MSW)-level elective courses. This qualitative study addresses Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)-level integration by (a) exploring how many accredited BSW programs offer an elective course on RS and (b) analyzing syllabi from these courses to determine specific strategies for teaching RS topics. BSW programs can use the study results as a guide for planning and structuring RS content within their curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to data analyzed from the Gallup Daily Tracking Politics and Economy survey between 2015 and 2017, nearly half (46.7%) of LGBT adults in the U.S. are religious, and just over half (53.3%) of LGBT adults are not religious. The majority who identified as religious attend Protestant churches. The Pentecostal church is a member of the Protestant Christian tradition. In a Constructivist Grounded Theory study of six U.S. gay male, Pentecostal Christians, our study excavates and chronicles their journey toward wholeness. Three major themes emerged from our study: embracing the journey, belonging to a community, and living unapologetically. From these themes, we learned that wholeness becomes possible when gay male Christians can form identities that are uniquely and holistically their own. We used these themes as a clarion call for clinicians who engage with clients encountering a conflict between their religious/spiritual tradition and their sexual orientation to actively assist their clients with reducing the dissonance they experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual abuse (CSA) impacts individuals and communities in numerous ways, including their faith. This study's aim was to learn from individuals who have an interest and/or expertise in spirituality and CSA about how various groups can support those impacted by CSA. The participants (n = 76) took part in a symposium focused on this topic and responded to an online survey with open-ended questions. Three themes emerged: negative impacts, direct response, and institutional changes. Using these responses, a model for Spiritually Informed Care is described, and implications for practice for those who work with those who have been impacted by CSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice-based evidence research was used to document the use of spiritual interventions in three mental health treatment settings among eight therapists and 128 clients. Materials included measures of client distress, along with measures of counselor's therapeutic process use and orientations toward the delivery of spiritual interventions. Analyses revealed the most common theoretical approaches and spiritual interventions in our settings. Differences emerged in cross-site comparisons of therapeutic processes, as well as in spiritual intervention use with clients of different genders. This study contributes insight into what is being done in real-world settings to address spirituality into psychotherapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective intervention in social work requires addressing the contextual challenges clients face. For Muslim communities and families in the West, the context is characterized by decades of post 9/11 scrutiny and anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments. Internationally, with terrorist attacks across the globe, and nationally, with a highly-charged political atmosphere, Muslim communities and families in the U.S. find themselves trying to reconcile conflicting influences. While they may seek to establish themselves as positive members of civil society, they are often viewed with suspicion, merely because of their religion, and their children exposed to threats, bullying, and harassment. This manuscript draws from a practitioner-researcher model that applies a developmentally sensitive and contextually grounded perspective to analyzing themes elicited from workshops for parents and guardians in the wake of terrorist attacks. The workshops were designed to provide caregivers with tools to support their children through honest and developmentally sensitive conversations about the sociopolitical climate, including Islamophobia and other systemic issues. The manuscript concludes with suggestions for practitioners and researchers to promote the positive development and integration of Muslim 'families' at individual, family, and community levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taller de Jose (TDJ) offers accompaniment in a Mexican neighborhood in Chicago, helping service participants navigate health, judicial, and social service systems. Using a community-based participatory approach, the current study conceptualizes the accompaniment service and identifies psychosocial outcomes. Focus groups with service participants and staff were conducted, using a grounded theory approach. The data provides support for a conceptual model of accompaniment based on interdisciplinary knowledge in ministry, social work, and public health; and a consideration of social context, values, and outcomes such as increased social support, knowledge of community resources, and improved self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edith Richman Stolzenberg (1913–2004) was the first woman to be hired as a social worker in Hartford Public High School in Hartford, Connecticut. In a career that spanned 60 years and much of 20th-century social welfare history, she was motivated by the social justice tradition of her Jewish upbringing and the religious value of hospitality to advocate for children and families. As we enter a harsh new era for social services, this oral history explores the radical possibilities for integrating social work goals and religious values. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Much of social work practice is rooted in compassion. Addressing compassion as a virtue, this article examines the possibilities for compassion to be more explicitly and purposefully built into actions at community and policy levels. We discuss the definition of compassion, examine the religious roots of compassion, describe some ways in which religion and policy intersect, and provide contemporary examples of compassion at the interface of religion and policy. In the discussion, we conclude with further thoughts about how compassion might be elevated in our collective societal actions and address the role of social work in these efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

American Muslims are frequently called offensive names. Yet, despite the pernicious effects of such derogatory language, a paucity of research has examined this phenomenon. This study set out to address this gap in the literature by determining which Muslims are most at risk to report being called disparaging names. Using a community sample of Muslims (N = 275), the logistic regression results revealed that Muslims who were younger, single, and spoke primarily English at home were comparatively more likely to report being called offensive names within the past 12 months. Conversely, both Asian and African American Muslims were less likely to report being called offensive names compared to European American Muslims. The article concludes by offering some tentative explanations for the findings and suggesting some implications for practice with, and on behalf, of Muslim clients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]