TURKISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS

(TAHR)

Necatibey Cad. No: 8/114
Sıhhiye /ANKARA
Tel: (0312) 231 43 53

 

SECULARISM AND RELIGIOUS RESURGENCE

IN PROSPECT AND RETROSPECT

 

An IAHR Special Conference hosted by TAHR/TUDTAD:

the Turkish Association for the History of Religions

 

Ankara, October 22-23, 2007

 

The Symposium aims to shed light on secularism, modernity and religious resurgence in various countries, as well as the way in which these key topics are viewed within the Turkish context. Particular attention will be paid to the Turkish adaptation of secularism, and its impact on and response to religious resurgence, both past and present.  

 

Main Topic: Secularism and Religious Resurgence

 

Main Sessions

First Session: Conceptual Analysis (Laicism, Secularism, Modernity, Religious Resurgence)

This session will analyze the above notions, and their interpretations and applications in various countries.

 

Second Session: Reflections and Attitudes to Secularism in Religions

This session will examine attitudes to and debates over secularism within major religions today, and the attitudes toward, and perceptions of, secularism held by their adherents.

 

Third Session: Dimensions of Secularism in Turkey

This session seeks to analyze and debate Turkish perceptions of secularism, and their impact on Turkish society.

 

Fourth Session: New Prospects for Secularism and Religion

This session will focus on the future relationship between religion and secularism.  It will highlight religion’s importance to society and its contribution to culture. Additionally, both the role of religion and secularism in the promotion of religious pluralism and their varying potential role in preventing and /or managing religious controversy and conflict will be examined.

 

 

 

REMARKS ON THE CONFERENCE

  1. The place and the date of the conference: Ankara, 22–23 October, 2007.  Venue to be announced later by TAHR
  2. The Conference languages are Turkish and English.
  3. There will be no registration fee for participation.
  4. Participants, individual members of the IAHR (including members of the EASR) from abroad will meet their own traveling expenses.
  5. Except for a few invited speakers, participants from abroad can only participate without a paper. Nevertheless, they have to register by way of an e-mail to Tim Jensen, General Secretary, IAHR, at t.jensen@ifpr.sdu.dk no later than May 1st, 2007
  6. Information on Hotels/Accommodation will be provided later by TAHR
  7. Requests/Questions are to be directed to Ali İsra Güngör, Secretary of TAHR, e-mail adress: Ali.I.Gungor@divinity.ankara.edu.tr