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Religion and Political Protest​​​

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er-Sheva, Israel

29-30 May 2024

"State and religion are twin brothers", postulates an old Iranian aphorism. The relation between religion and politics continues to be an important theme in political philosophy and religious thought, and in research in the humanities and social sciences. Our conference aspires to tackle the relations between religion and political protests from a variety of perspectives and methodologies, across religious traditions, and in a variety of historical contexts – from rebellions and dissent in Antiquity to present-day political activism.

Some of the following themes will be at the center of the discussion we envision for the conference:

·         The use of religious discourse for bringing about political change, and vice versa

·         The enlistment of religious establishments (such as the Catholic church or the Islamic movement) in support of political protest or against it

·         Theologies of resistance

·         Case studies of religious leaders, orders, and associations as proponents of political reform or revolution 

·         Partnerships between faith-based organizations and secular parties

·         Religious rituals (prayer, fast, pilgrimage, and processions) as means of protest against governors/rulers/colonial powers/religious establishments

·         The relationship between religiosity and/or religious affiliation and personal engagement in political protests

·         Messianism in national and global political contexts

·         Theories, models, and patterns of protest 

Historians of different periods and geographic locations, political scientists, anthropologists, sociologists, theologians, and scholars of comparative religion, literature, and cultures are welcome to apply.

CSoC can cover costs for accommodation in Be'er Sheva, Israel, between Wednesday 29 May and Thursday 30 May 2024 to those who require it. Deadline for sending a title, short bio, and 300-500 word abstract: 10 January 2024.

Full papers should be limited to 20 minutes. Please send applications to Ms. Raya Even David: rayaed@bgu.ac.il

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For further details and inquiries please contact the organizing committee members:

• Dr. Maya Shabbat maya.shabbat@gmail.com

• Dr. Roni Tzoreff ronitzoreff@gmail.com

• Dr. Dmitry Uzlaner uzlanerda@gmail.com