Conference Themes
Since its emergence, the modern discourse on the relationship between religion and the ecological crisis has been intense, controversial, and multifaceted. The dramatic effects of climate change underscore the importance of this fundamental question. The climate crisis must be seen as a litmus test for any theory of this relationship.
The global climate change crisis challenges us to reflect critically on religious practice and studies. As a cross-cutting issue, the climate crisis affects religion in its multidimensionality and diversity of forms. The conference contributions from different research fields engage in a multi-perspective discourse to jointly develop cross-dimensional approaches.
Six Important Themes
A
Activism or Escapism? Public Religion and the Climate Crisis
The public role of religion regarding climate issues has been ambivalent. Religious orientations can fuel eco-activism, undergrid climate change skepticism, or remain mired in indifference. Religious activism involves more than religious meaning-making: infrastructure, networks, and collective action. The visibility of the climate crisis challenges religious communities to negotiate whether and how to address public issues. Religious education has a role to play in the learning of ecology and sustainability.
B
Greening the Pulpit! Liturgy, Preaching, and Religious Rituals
How do religious rituals, as central expressions of religious life, respond to the current multiple ecological crises? How can ecological preaching be both politicizing and respectful of religious subjectivity and the complexity of problems? How can religious celebrations achieve a deep structure for re-understanding and re-enacting humanity's relationship to the created world? How can post-anthropocentric worship be designed to celebrate with nature?
C
Rethinking our Research Critically and Creatively! Concepts and Methods in Religious Studies and Theology in the Anthropocene
The climate crisis challenges us as scholars to critically and creatively rethink the teleology, scope, theoretical concepts, and methods of our research. How can nature be adequately represented in our research, and what methodological changes are needed? What theological concepts have contributed to the ecological crisis and what theological concepts can help to overcome it? One could say: In times of climate change, scientists have become the new prophets of disaster and necessary change. How activist can and should research be? What is the potential of action research in the field of religion?
D
Apocalypse Now!? Climate Anxiety in Pastoral Care and Popular Culture
Climate change affects the mental state of many people, consciously or unconsciously, directly or indirectly. Confronting the visibility of the climate crisis triggers fear, feelings of powerlessness, guilt, and social conflict. How can people cope with the mental challenges of climate change? How can spirituality, religious community and pastoral care enable people to process their deep emotions and existential questions in the face of the climate crisis? What does hope mean in this crisis situation and how can hope be cultivated? A search for clues could begin with religioid popular culture, with its motifs of apocalypse and redemption.
E
God in Nature and High-emission Church Buildings Eco-Spirituality, Material Religion, and the Climate Crisis
Religion is deeply material. Lived religion relates to nature in many ways. We invite scholars to explore and discuss eco-spirituality. How do established religions relate to eco-spirituality? Religious architecture and the use of religious buildings are challenged by the climate crisis to symbolize interconnectedness with nature and sustainability.
F
Global Religion and Global Crisis! International Religious Relations between Conflict and Cooperation - Postcolonial Perspectives
Climate change affects people and nature differently in different parts of the world. Historically and socio-economically, there are causers and victims of the climate crisis. The uniquely global nature of the crisis calls for global reconciliation of interests, activism and cooperation. To what extent can world religions provide a global unifying bond? Can global religious institutions, such as the Roman Catholic Church, serve as platforms for dialogue? What role do postcolonial perspectives play in the relationship between global religion and the climate crisis? What and how can scholars of religion from different parts of the world learn from each other?
