Description

From the worldwide persecution of religious minorities to acts of "terrorism" that are carried out in the name of different religions, contemporary world events connect religions and conflicts. This one day symposium at the University of Alabama brings together experts in different academic disciplines, regions of the world, and historic periods in order to analyze the relations between religion and socio-political conflict--both in terms of theory and in specific situations.

After each of the day's four main presentations, two respondents will reflect on the material in relation to their own research in other time periods or cultural regions. Considerable time will then be available for questions and discussion between the among the presenters and with members of the audience.

Sponsors and Organizers

This event--primarily organized by Profs. George Williamson (Department of History) and Steven Ramey (Department of Religious Studies)--is co-sponsored by the Department of Religious Studies and the Department of History, with the generous support of the College of Arts and Sciences.

It was also made possible by the assistance of Ms. Betty Dickey and Ms. Donna Martin (who produced the promotional materials). Thanks also goes to Chris Hurt and Jaci Gresham (both of whom are REL student workers) for taking photos of the event.

Read the press release

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and the University Supply Store will staff a book exhibit at the event.

This event is free and open to the public.

Schedule of the Day's Events

Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.

Tom Wolfe (Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences)
George S. Williamson (History, co-organizer)

Session 1
8:45 am - 10:15 am

Tim Murphy
(Religious Studies)
"Religion as the Structuring of Asymmetrical Relations"
(PDF; Bama ID/Password required)

Moderator: Mark McCormick (Philosophy and Religious Studies, Stillman College)

Respondents: Albert Pionke (English) and Daniel Riches (History)

Photos from the first session

Session 2
10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Christine Ames
(History, University of South Carolina)
"A Consuming Fire: The Violence of Inquisition and
Meanings of Medieval Religion"
(PDF; Bama ID/Password required)

Moderator: James Mixon (History)

Respondents: Steve Jacobs (Religious Studies) and Tony Clark (History)

Lunch Break
(Presenters, Moderators, and Respondents will be hosted at the 115 Woods Hall)

Session 3
2:00 - 3:30 pm

George S. Williamson
(History)
"Political Religion? Deployments of the Sacred in Hitler's Germany"
(PDF; Bama ID/Password required)

Moderator: DoVeanna Fulton (newly appointed to American Studies and the Director of UA's African American Studies Program)

Respondents: Steven Ramey (Religious Studies) and Ted Trost (Religious Studies and New College)

Session 4
3:45 - 5:30 pm

Maha Marouan
(Religious Studies)
"The Stillness That Comes After: African Traditional Religions, Christianity and the Meaning of Death in David Bradley's The Chaneysville Incident" (PDF; Bama ID/Password required)

Moderator: Catherine Roach (New College)

Respondents: John Giggie (History) and Margaret Abruzzo (History)

Where is Gorgas Library?