Religion and politics have been around for nearly as long as the world itself. And at various times in various societies, one has had a profound influence on the other.
But how do they, or should they, co-exist in today’s world? In an effort to examine and discuss the issues surrounding this topic, Arts & Science’s Pluralism, Politics and Religious Initiative (PPRI) is sponsoring a lecture series titled “Re-examining Pluralism in Religious Traditions.”
“Over the past few years and across North America and Europe, we have been debating and arguing over what role religious arguments ought to play in public life,” said John Bowen, Ph.D., the Dunbar-Van Cleve Professor in Arts & Sciences, who directs the PPRI. “Is religion inimical to reasoned debate in pluralistic societies? Or can religions provide ethical beginnings for healthy public encounters over policy issues? To what extent do different religious traditions welcome or tolerate diversity in their own beliefs?
“We have invited three distinguished scholars of religious traditions, in Asia, Europe and North America, to present their insights on these issues.”
The lectures will take place at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 and April 2 in Hurst Lounge in Duncker Hall and March 5 in Eliot Hall, Room 200F. The lectures are free and open to the public.
On Feb. 5, Richard Madsen will speak on “Three Forms of Ethical Pluralism: Existential, Cultural and Civilizational.”
Madsen is professor of sociology and director of the Council on East Asian Studies at the University of California, San Diego. He has written extensively on Chinese culture, American culture and international relations, including the collective 1985 book (with Robert Bellah, William Sullivan, Ann Swidler and Steven Tipton) “Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life,” winner of a Los Angeles Times Book Award and jury-nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
On March 5, Ananda Abeysekara will give the talk “The Future of Pluralism: Un-inheriting our ‘Democratic’ Heritage.”
Abeysekara is associate professor of religious studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. His research and teaching focuses on trying to fashion a new relation between secularism, postcolonial religion and postsecular futures, particularly in South Asia. His books include “Mourning Democratic Futures: Religion, Modernity and Postsecular Politics“ (2007) and “Colors of the Robe: Religion, Identity and Difference“ (2002), winner of the 2003 American Academy of Religion Award for “Best First Book in the History of Religions.”
The April 2 talk is called: “Godless? Liberalism and Religion: A Reply to Leo Strauss, Jacques Maritain and Ann Coulter,” and will be presented by Paul Sigmund of Princeton University.
Sigmund is professor of politics at Princeton and specializes in political theory and Latin American politics. He is author of “Liberation Theology at the Crossroads: Democracy or Revolution?” editor of “Religious Freedom and Evangelization in Latin America: The Challenge of Religious Pluralism“ and translator of “Nicholas of Cusa: The Catholic Concordance.”
For more information, call 935-7186, visit artsci.wustl.edu/~ppri or e-mail ppri@wustl.edu.