CALL FOR PAPERS: EMERGENT RELIGIOUS PLURALISM(S)
April 16th & 17th 2018, Woolf Institute(Cambridge)
We invite 250-word abstracts for an interdisciplinary conference on the theme of 'Emergent Religious Pluralism(s)'. The event will be held at the Woolf Institute in Cambridge, in April 2018 and will include a keynote talk from Professor Nasar Meer (University of Edinburgh). Please submit your abstracts to John Fahy (jef96@georgetown.edu) by August 15th 2017.
That such definitions of religious pluralism can encompass the broad range of ways in which the challenge of religious diversity can (or should) be managed has been problematised. Taking account of the myriad social, political and historical factors that shape the kinds of religious pluralism that have emerged throughout the world, and throughout history, some now prefer to speak of 'pluralisms' (Marty 2007) or 'modes of religious pluralism' (Riis 1999). Such modes of religious pluralism are not simply alternative approaches to a common ideal, but constitute complex political responses to particular socio-historical challenges.
But what kinds of challenges elicit what kinds of responses? How is the ideal of religious pluralism conceived, constructed and contested in different parts of the world? Are there identifiable approaches to religious pluralism within or between different religious traditions? How might we describe the various ways in which the challenge of religious diversity is being responded to today, and who is responding? What is the relationship between everyday experiences of diversity, on the one hand, and ideals of religious pluralism, tolerance and coexistence, on the other?
Themes:
This conference looks to explore the emergent conceptions of, and commitments to, the ideal of religious pluralism in different parts of the world. We invite submissions that engage with one or more of the following questions:
- How are the ideals of religious pluralism changing in light of recent social and political developments? Are there identifiable 'modes' of religious pluralism emerging in different parts of the world? Do we find broader trends that transcend particularities of national (and nationalistic) political discourses?
- In what ways can the history of religious pluralisms throughout the world, and across religious traditions, inform our understanding of recent developments? Is there anything new about how religious difference itself is being constructed and contested?
- What is the relationship between religious pluralism and broader strategies for managing difference, such as multiculturalism? To what extent do ideals of religious pluralism reflect those of other pluralisms, for example, cultural, ethnic or national?
- What kinds of responses are being offered to the challenge of religious diversity by both state and non-state institutions and actors? How is the challenge itself being articulated, and by who? How do the ideals of religious pluralism, tolerance and coexistence relate to the everyday experience of diversity?
- What role do religious actors play? How are theological resources being mobilised to address the challenge of religious diversity, for example, through interfaith dialogue?
Contact:
For any further details please contact Dr John Fahy: jef96@georgetown.edu
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