Ignore, resist, or engage? Global responses to religious nationalism

The Lutheran World Federation, in partnership with the ELCA and the Indonesia Consortium for Religious Studies, will be hosting a webinar on September 22 to engage questions of responding to religious nationalism on a global scale.

The world has witnessed a rise in religious nationalism in recent years. Political leaders have incorporated it in their platforms in order to turn fear into votes. The use of religious symbols and language has become commonplace across the political landscape, from Delhi to D.C.

What role can we play as public theologians to respond? What is the responsibility of faith leaders in countering such rhetoric? How can we collaborate at local and national levels to support initiatives aimed at promoting more inclusive societies?

This webinar aims to support religious leaders and concerned citizens of all faiths and traditions to respond constructively to religious nationalism. The conversation will span the rise of nationalism associated with versions of Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Drawing on insights from India, Indonesia, and the United States of America, the webinar will lift up a variety of perspectives, fueling discussions and reflections of global relevance.

Speakers:

• Sathianathan Clarke, the Bishop Sundo Kim Chair in World Christianity and Professor of Theology, Culture, and Mission at Wesley Theological Seminary. Author of Competing Fundamentalisms: Violent Extremism in Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism 

• Dicky Sofjan, Core Doctoral Faculty in the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS), the Principal Investigator for a nine-country program entitled “Religion, Public Policy and Social Transformation in Southeast Asia”

• Angela Denker, Lutheran Pastor, writer, speaker. Author of Red State Christians: Understanding the Voters Who Elected Donald Trump 

Moderator:

• Sivin Kit, Program Executive for Public Theology and Interreligious Relations, Lutheran World Federation.

Closing Remarks:

• Kathryn Lohre, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations & Theological Discernment.

We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday 22 September 2020
9:00 – 10:30 am CT, 10:00 -11:30 ET

Register today by following the link: REGISTER