Polity’s Why It Matters series

In these short and lively books, world-leading thinkers make the case for the importance of their subjects and aim to inspire a new generation of students.

Helen Beebee & Michael Rush, Philosophy
Robert Eaglestone, Literature
Lynn Hunt, History
Tim Ingold, Anthropology
Neville Morley, Classics
Alexander B. Murphy, Geography
Geoffrey K. Pullum, Linguistics
Graham Ward, Theology and Religion

The right of Graham Ward to be identified as Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

First published in 2019 by Polity Press

Polity Press
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Cambridge CB2 1UR, UK

Polity Press
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Medford, MA 02155, USA

All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 978-1-5095-2972-8

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ward, Graham, 1955- author.
Title: Theology and religion : why it matters / Graham Ward.
Description: Cambridge, UK ; Medford, MA : Polity Press, 2019. | Series: Why it matters series | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018035724 (print) | LCCN 2018049751 (ebook) | ISBN 9781509529728 (Epub) | ISBN 9781509529698 (hardback) | ISBN 9781509529704 (pbk.)
Subjects: LCSH: Religion--Study and teaching. | Theology--Study and teaching.
Classification: LCC BL41 (ebook) | LCC BL41 .W37 2019 (print) | DDC 200.7--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018035724

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Every effort has been made to trace all copyright holders, but if any have been overlooked the publisher will be pleased to include any necessary credits in any subsequent reprint or edition.

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Acknowledgements

When I was around eight and staying with my grandmother, she took me to ‘town’ by a different route. Usually we walked to the bus stop. But on this morning she walked me past the greyhound track, where bets were laid on ‘dog-nights’ on hounds that chased an electronic ‘rabbit’, and into Peele Park. From there we could walk along Chapel Street and into the centre of Manchester. At the far end of Peele Park, on a hill, stood the University of Salford. The buildings were in a grand, ornate style, built from the same red brick as most of the Victorian slums around it. I stared up at the monumental sight as she clutched my hand. ‘One day,’ she said, ‘if you work hard at school, then maybe you’ll come to a place like this.’ Although winning a scholarship to continue her education, my grandmother had had to leave school at twelve to help feed and clothe the large number of her younger siblings. The school leaving age rose in 1918, but both my parents also had to leave school at fourteen. So I was the first in my generation to go to university, and the only one of a family of four boys to do so. Later, living with my grandmother, she became the prime force behind my ‘staying on’. I owe everything to her for what and where I am today. She saw me go to Cambridge and eventually return to my first Professorial Chair at Manchester (where I lived with her again until her death). I dedicate this book to her memory, and to all those who dream big in deprived conditions.

I would also like to thank the series editor, Pascal Porcheron, for the chance to write this small book and my copy-editor, Justin Dyer, for making my English more accessible and introducing me to the wonderful word ‘septillion’.