(some the lecture topics look fun)
Our fear and fascination with other religions
Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Wiccan or Pagan? Australia is a religious melting pot, but can these wildly different faiths co-exist? And why do religions such as Islam, or religious cults like the Heaven's Gate group, inspire such fear and fascination among the rest of the population?
A conference starting this Friday at the University of Western Sydney is set to bring academics, religious leaders and social activists from Australia and overseas together to explore and debate these and other issues surrounding religion.
'Fear and Fascination: The Other in Religion' is being held 16-18 July, and has been organised by the Australian Association for the Study of Religions, The Affinity Intercultural Foundation, and is hosted by the University of Western Sydney.
The conference will discuss topics such as: fear of Islam and Muslims; religion and politics; alternative spiritualities; social justice; popular culture and mythology; multiculturalism and pluralism; psychology, healing and wellbeing; and religious education.
Conference convenor, Dr Adam Possamai, lecturer in sociology in the University's School of Social and Applied Human Sciences, says the conference is a timely one.
"Australian society is no longer Christian-centric -- record numbers of Australians are calling themselves Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu, or finding faith in non-traditional, alternative spiritualities and new religious movements," says Dr Possamai.
"While these religions have always been outside the mainstream, and as such have been seen as mysterious and exotic, their growing popularity in Australia, as well as world events such as acts of terrorism and the ongoing war on terror, has led society to react to the 'other' with increased suspicion, mistrust and fear.
"This conference will explore how religion and spirituality have taken centre stage when it comes to our social and cultural concerns. No longer can we leave religion and spirituality in the private realm and view them as an exotic aspect of our contemporary society. They are part of our everyday life, and they need to be understood for what they are, and for what they represent."
Friday night's conference opening features two of Australia's most distinguished experts on the subject of religion -- Professor Terry Lovat and Professor Gary Bouma.
Professor Lovat, is Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Arts, at the University of Newcastle and was responsible for the introduction of Studies in Religion subjects in high schools. He will give the 2004 Charles Strong lecture, 'Islam: Old and New Interpretations of the Relationship with Judaism and Christianity'.
Professor Bouma was the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Monash University and advises the Federal Government on social policy. His keynote address will be 'Religion, Cultural Diversity and Social Cohesion'.
Other interesting papers to be presented over the weekend include:
'Cartoons and Christianity: Can we make fun of the sacred and get away with it?' by Graham English, Australian Catholic University (Sunday 1-2.15pm)
'TrancenDANCE: Doof spirituality and social justice' by Gerard Newham, University of Western Sydney (Saturday 1.30pm-2.20pm)
'The Inner-West or the Beach: Religion and social class in the Brazilian diaspora in Sydney' by Cristina Rocha, University of Western Sydney (Saturday 9.00-10.40am)
'Sport and Spirituality: All at sea alone in yachts' by Richard Hutch, University of Queensland (Saturday 1.30-2.20pm)
'Contemporary Witches: Self and other' by Caroline James, University of New England (Sunday 9.00-10.40am)
Information about the conference can be found on www.aasr.org.au
WHERE:UWS Bankstown Campus, Building 23 and Building 2 Bullecourt Avenue, Milperra
WHENFriday 16 July-Sunday 18 July
TIME:7.30-10pm Friday, for conference opening and keynote address 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, for conference sessions
MAP:http://www.uws.edu.au/about/locations/maps/bankstownmap
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