Rethinking the Social Contributions of Religions: Case Study of Homeless Support Faith-Based Organizations

Abstract

Until World War II, Faith based Organizations (FBOs) have been played the main role in the field of Japanese social welfare. After WWII, the social welfare became state responsibility. After that, religious groups in Japan tended to be excluded from the field of social welfare. However, from the late 1970s until today, the State’s role in the field of social welfare has changed drastically in the background of the crisis of welfare state. In this context, FBOs started to re-participate in the field of social welfare, in particular newly emerging social issues such as homeless problem. Some groups are very active in missionary work in supporting homeless people. On the other hand, some groups rather separate its missionary work and homeless support. In this paper I focus on FBOs that supporting homeless people. Also I clarify the social roles of FBOs by using FBO activities configuration matrix.