The 7th conference by Nazareth University's Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue and the IIIT Chair for Islamic & Interfaith Studies once again bring together scholars from around the globe to share research on contemporary issues in religion and social sciences.
Inclusion or Exclusion: The Self and the Other in Sacred Texts and Human Contexts
Location: Nazareth University, 4245 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
When: May 22-24, 2023, Monday-Wednesday
Why this conference title:
Racism, Xenophobia, violence, ethnic and religious hate in our modern world have fractured individuals and communities. Humanity is desperately looking to find peace in the midst of this hateful, violent atmosphere of our 21st century. We have addressed in our previous conferences issues like gender, wealth and poverty, environment, (de)legitimization of violence and mystical traditions. Our seventh conference of May 2023 would investigate and expand on the issues of “Inclusion and Exclusion” in religious traditions. Our conferences always invite reflection on religions’ sacred texts — this time with an emphasis on Inclusion and Exclusion and the construction of meaningful alternatives to the current challenges of our violent world.
Inclusive and Exclusive practices have existed since the beginning of humanity. Religious traditions are not immune; rather, many religious leaders have approved these practices either actively or silently. Some of these religious traditions have flourished and others have declined over time, but all have provided interesting modes of inquiry into the human condition.
Inclusion and Exclusion is a broad subject, and pondering its significance produces interesting topics in light of our contemporary issues. While we hope to build upon the topics of our previous conferences, we would appreciate presentations that draw connections to the religions’ sacred texts. The conference title “Inclusion or Exclusion: the Self and the Other in Sacred Texts and Human Contexts” offers a wide range of research options from religious interfaith perspectives.
Panel Titles include but not limited to:
* Racism and xenophobia in sacred texts and human contexts
* Compassion and inclusion
* Racism and compassion
* Dialogue in crisis: the emergence of ethno- religious nationalism in religions
* Racism, xenophobia and the 'religious other’
* Exclusivism and hateful rhetoric
* Interfaith dialogue as an antidote to hate/ exclusivism
Submitting a proposal:
The Conference is open to scholars in religious studies, theology and social sciences from US and abroad as presenters or participants.
* The proposal should be no more than 550 words.
* Send a 225-word resume that presents expertise in the area of your presentation.
* Include your address, telephone number, and email address.
* Last date to receive your proposal is December 31, 2022, earlier is preferred. Notice of acceptances or otherwise will be sent by November 15 of the proposal received by then. Proposals received after, notice of acceptance will be sent by January 10, 2023.
* Guidelines for full presentation will be emailed with acceptance of proposal..
* Selected papers are published
* Email proposals to: hickeycenter.conference@gmail.com or cisd@naz.edu
Past Conferences and Publications
2013: Focused on the role of sacred texts in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, in uniting and dividing humanity. Selected papers from the conference were published in December 2014: Sacred Texts & Human Contexts: A North American Response to A Common Word between Us and You
2014: Held in Istanbul. Focused on poverty and wealth in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Selected papers were published by Palgrave MacMillan in June 2016: Poverty and Wealth in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
2016: Focused on nature and the environment in religions. Selected papers were published in January 2018: Nature and the Environment in Contemporary Religious Contexts. A WXXI public radio half-hour interview with Thomas Donlin-Smith, professor of religious studies at Nazareth College; Nathan Kollar, Hickey Center co-founder; and others explored how faith influences the environment. Fall 2017 publication by Cambridge Scholars Publishing: Nature and Environment in Contemporary Religious Contexts.
2017: Focused on women and gender in religions. Selected papers were published in February 2019: Making Gender in the Intersection of the Human and the Divine.
2018: Sacred Text and Human Context international conference is on Religions and (De)Legitimization of Violence on July 29-31, 2018 at Nazareth College. More than 50 scholarly papers are expected to be presented on the topic. The Conference Committee have selected 17 Papers for publication. The editing process are mostly compete and we are sending the manuscript to publishers. The book: Religions and (De)Legitimization of Violence (2021, Palgrave).
2021 Focused on Mystical Traditions: Approaches to Peaceful Coexistence was held virtually on May 24-25, 2021. Selected papers are submitted for publication. Palgrave McMillion is publishing it and hopefully it will be available by Feb.1, 2023.
2023: Conference on Inclusion or Exclusion: The Self and the Other in Sacred Texts and Human Contexts to be held at Nazareth College of Rochester on May 22-24,2023