ABSTRACT
In order to better grasp the oftentimes nebulous “religious factor” in development, this chapter introduces a seven-dimensional model. This model is simple enough without being simplistic. Religion manifests itself as religio-scape, community, teachings, spirituality, practice, institution, and framework. A set of questions following each dimension helps in analysing the role of religion in a certain context and when working with faith actors in development. Finally, the example of public theology in the Christian faith tradition serves to discuss the question of why faith actors would even be interested in “worldly matters” such as development.
