International Conference: Religion and Politics in the Context of "Epochal Change". Are We Witnessing the Birth of a New Paradigm?

The aim of the conference is to reflect on the changes that are currently taking place in the relationship between religion and politics. These changes, as it seems, are not only of cosmetic nature, but concern the very paradigm of these relations shaped in Western culture in the modern era. The source of these changes seems to lie in the political sphere, which not only undergoes progressive secularization, but also breaks with European metaphysics. However, in a peculiar feedback loop they also affect the self-consciousness of Western religious communities, including the Catholic Church. The redefinition in the political sphere of such categories as truth, dignity of the person, human rights, marriage, and family is accompanied by a disruption of their meaning also in the doctrines of Christian communities. Basic ethical principles often give way to pragmatic reasons (e.g., in the dispute about abortion, euthanasia, surrogacy, sexual orientation), not only in politics, but also in church practice. It seems that the change is so significant that the use of the term “epochal change” proposed by Pope Francis seems justified.
 
Call for Papers

We invite you to submit papers for the conference. They may be devoted to the following issues: a) the presence and role of religion in international organizations at the universal and European level, b) the current state of European integration, once initiated by Christian politicians, c) relationship between religion and identity (national, European), d) the way of treating religious freedom during the pandemic, as well as to other dimensions of the problem of potential paradigm shift that interests us this year; e) rebirth of the so-called secular religions, f) the situation of non-Western religious traditions, especially Judaism, Islam and Hinduism in the context of “epochal change”. We also invite you to present the current research in the field of political science of religion. As we have in the tradition of our conferences, alongside the main sessions, there will be parallel panels on current research on religion and politics (for more details, see also: https://religionandpolitics.pl/#call-for-papers)

Guide for authors

Applications should include the title of the presentation along with the abstract (max. 300 words).

The conference will be held in Polish and English. We provide simultaneous translation for plenary sessions. Parallel panels will be held in one of the two languages mentioned.

Proposals for presentations should be sent via the application form on the conference website by October 20, 2021. Decisions on the admission of papers will be sent to participants by e-mail by October 30, 2021.

Key Dates

• Deadline for abstract submission: October 20, 2021
• Notification of acceptance: October 30, 2021