The Rumi Forum’s Center for Faith, Identity, and Globalization (CFIG) cordially invites you to our inaugural panel, Rethinking Religion and Nationalism in the Global Landscape, on Monday, October 28, 2024. We are honored to host distinguished scholars Mark Juergensmeyer from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Paul Marshall from Baylor University, who will discuss their latest research and perspectives on this complex and timely topic.
Mark Juergensmeyer will present his paper, Faith and Identity in the Global Era, which delves into the unsettling emergence of new forms of tribalism often built around ethnic and religious identities. He argues that religious othering is grounded in negative stereotypes and the systematic buildup of an imagined divide between one’s own faith and other creeds. Juergensmeyer sees this phenomenon as one of the most disturbing features of the global age, highlighting the urgent need for reevaluating faith-based identities.
Paul Marshall will offer insights from his recent publication, Myths of Religious Nationalism. Marshall's work addresses the increasingly blurred lines between religious nationalism and religion-infused politics, particularly in the United States. He contends that terms like "religious nationalism" have become politicized and diluted, losing their substantive meaning. His analysis aims to clarify what religious nationalism truly entails and distinguish it from the broader phenomenon of religion-influenced politics, which has critical implications for both global and domestic arenas.
The panel will be an enriching dialogue between two prominent voices, providing clarity on a topic that is reshaping our global landscape. We hope you can join us for what promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.
Discussion Papers:
Faith and Identity in the Global Era by Mark Juergensmeyer
Myths of Religious Nationalism by Paul Marshall
Program Outline:
4:00 pm - Doors open
4:30 pm - Panel Discussion
Welcoming: Mehmet Saracoglu
Opening & Introducing the Panelists: Allison K. Ralph
Mark and Paul`s Remarks (20 min. for each)
5:30 pm - Q&A
6:00 pm - End of the program