Relevant Religion Series
October 7, October 14, and October 21, 2008

John Thatamanil
Assistant Professor of Theology

"Religious Diversity After Religion"

Christian theologians have, over the course of last century, been asking about the meaning of religious diversity for Christian faith. One central question has set the terms for most of these conversations: Are other religions paths to salvation? Although a variety of answers to that question have been offered and hotly debated, few have asked whether the question itself is a good one. There is growing evidence that the question is problematic. After all, most cultures and civilizations do not think of their traditions as religions nor are they willing to take the religious/secular distinction for granted. So, just what is a religion? Do all cultures have religions? What is gained and lost when we think of the world as divided neatly into seven or so major religions and several minor religions? Are there dimensions of life that are considered "religious" in every culture? This series will argue that we can neither live with nor without the category "religion." But we can seek to minimize the confusions and distortions that come with the term. If we do, we can enter into richer and more profound conversations with persons and communities whose traditions differ from our own.

Location
Westminster Presbyterian Church
3900 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205

Information and Online Registration
www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity
(615) 936-8453

Cost
$10 per person
CEUs available