Mind You – It’s a turn in the phrase, another element to be considered that might change the whole story. These annual lectures are an invitation to rethink the world around us in light of the God who is Lord over the sciences, the animating vision of the university’s founding.
James K.A. Smith
October 7, 2010
Globalization and the Post-Secular Public
Noon – Agora, UCU, University of Ottawa
Wasn’t the rise of globalization in markets and media supposed to see religion wither? Contrary to our expectations in a secular age, questions of religion regularly make a dent in The Economist and Foreign Affairs. We will consider this surprising resurgence along with the postmodern critique that entails a “post-secular” understanding of the public, with important implications for how we conduct ourselves in our neighbourhoods, the political arena, and the university.
Beyond A/Theism: Postmodernity and the Future of God
7 pm – Freiman Hall, Pérez Building (610 Cumberland), University of Ottawa
What is the place for religion in our postmodern society, if any? While new atheists spar with fundamentalisms of various stripes over concerns of exclusivity and violence, there has been a quieter proposal for a “pure” postmodern religion offered by figures as diverse as Jacques Derrida and Mark Johnston. These voices suggest a religion purified of particulars (dogma, institutions, authoritative texts), offering us an alternate hope. But is such a proposal “postmodern” enough, or is there better way to understand God in our conflicted time?
James K.A. Smith is Professor of Philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. A native Canadian, he specializes in contemporary continental philosophy, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of social science. He is the author and editor of a number of books, including Jacques Derrida: Live Theory and After Modernity? Secularity, Globalization, and the Re-enchantment of the World. See his website.
Facebook? Let us know you’re coming to these events through the icon in the bottom right corner of this web page.
Past Lectures
2009 – John G. Stackhouse, Jr.
Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad, Jesus: What’s the Difference–and What Difference Does It Make?
This lecture presents current data on the multitude of religions now present in North America and around the world, and offers clear counsel as to how we can best deal with this diversity. Should we all keep quiet? Should we try to accommodate everyone’s religion in public as well as in private? Why do some people think we should convert to their religion? And how can one choose for oneself among so many options? This course, and the one that follows, is based on Dr. Stackhouse’s long experience in lecturing on religion in public university settings and in discussing religion with mainstream mass media.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Is There Method in the Madness? An Honest Look at the Problem of Evil
This lecture looks at the nature of evil in our world, and asks whether it makes sense to believe in an all-good, all-powerful deity in the face of this much suffering and violence. This course has been enjoyed by people of various faith backgrounds and none. (It is based on Dr. Stackhouse’s book Can God Be Trusted? Faith and the Challenge of Evil [Oxford University Press].) See his website.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
