01/10/2026
Religion and taxation – what do they have to do with one another?
Quite a lot, as it turns out. Religions have long developed ideas about what a just society should look like – and questions of distribution, obligation and social responsibility have always been central to these visions. Taxation is therefore not merely an economic or administrative matter; it is also a question of justice.
The new special issue of the Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society (JRAT), “Religions, Taxes, and Societies in History,” explores these connections from historical and theological perspectives. It examines, among other things, how Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist scholars reflected on taxation, redistribution and the responsibilities of individuals and communities.
On 7 October 2026 at 5 p.m., we will present the special issue in an online event. Political scientist Philipp Genschel (Bremen University) will critically engage with the contributions and discuss their historical and theological arguments with the authors. We will then open the floor to questions and discussion with all participants.
7 October 2026, 5 p.m. | Online
The access details can be found on the poster.
What can religious traditions tell us about taxes, redistribution and social justice? Join us for the discussion.
