Association of Practical Theology in Oceania

in association with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture

2015 Conference

University House, Australian National University, Canberra

26-29 November 2015

Explorations in Practical Theology:

Faith and the Political in a Post-Secular Age

CONFERENCE THEME:  

Resurgence in religious consciousness has become a feature of contemporary public life. Such cultural shift experienced globally, is characterised as a religious-political milieu that some scholars are beginning to describe as post-secular. The 2015 APTO conference will explore this emerging phenomenon which points to an increasing connection between the ‘two cities,’ the temporal-political and the faith-mystical. Key themes for the conference will include: the increasing prevalence in religions of a fundamentalist and radicalized minority; the future benefits of inter-religious dialogue; the ideal of a university; together with the value of dialogue between secular reason and notions of religious emancipation.  The conference will also explore some of the positive aspects of the return of the sacred in popular culture, such as the potential of religion to inform the universal search for values, to be an advocate for the marginalized, while at the same time challenge some of the narrow secular and materialistic assumptions of contemporary Western culture, that would confine reality to what can be seen and measured.

CALL FOR PAPERS:

Members of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, together with colleagues of associated organisations are cordially invited to submit a proposal for a paper to be presented as part of the 2015 conference. Proposals are particularly welcome that directly address the conference theme from various disciplines and perspectives and that contribute to the broad work of practical theology. Papers of interest will draw upon theological and political issues within the context of Oceania, including questions relating to indigenous cultures and spirituality, the rise of radical atheism, juxtapositioned with religious fundamentalism and the increasing discourse on post-secularity. Relevant subjects also include issues relating to dialogue between ecclesiology and the social sciences, together with questions on environmental ethics, political theology, economics, and the theology of liberation.