Call for papers on religion & anarchism, ASN Conference Loughborough 12-14 September 2018

CALL FOR PAPERS – please circulate widely

Anarchism and Religion //  Anarchist Studies Network 5th International

Conference // Loughborough University - 12-14 September 2018

The intersection of anarchism and religion has proved a fertile field

of intellectual inquiry. Some publications have focused on traditional

anarchist quarrels with religion and its institutions; others have

elaborated and discussed anarchist exegesis of religious scripture;

others yet have articulated theological reflections with an anarchist

angle; and others still have studied the histories of specific

religious anarchist thinkers, communities and movements. However, the

literature has tended to display familiar biases: authors are often

white and Western, the main religion is often Christianity, and few

have turned their attention to decolonisation.

In line with the central theme of the broader conference, papers for a

potential stream of panels on anarchism and religion which consider

issues around decolonisation are particularly encouraged (the broader

conference call for papers is copied below). Proposals developing

non-Christian perspectives are also encouraged. Nonetheless,

contributions on any topics relevant to the study of anarchism and

religion are welcome, with or without connection to decolonisation.

Any disciplinary angle is welcome.

Please send abstracts of up to 250 words with your name and (if

relevant) any institutional affiliation to stream convenor Alex

Christoyannopoulos at a.christoyannopoulos@lboro.ac.uk by 15 February

2018.

Anarchist Studies Network // 5th International Conference // 12-14

September 2018 // Loughborough University, U.K.

Call for Papers and Panels

The fight against domination and destruction continues under heavy

clouds. A global wave of resistance has once again been met with

reaction, as elites turn to barefaced nationalism, racism and

misogyny. For the world's majority, such oppression is neither

surprising nor new, given the enduring legacy of colonialism and

by-now-established forms of neo-colonial exploitation. Meanwhile,

hegemonic discourses show a frustrating capacity to co-opt and

neutralise: converting anti-capitalism into welfare-populism,

ecological resistance into green consumption, and militant

intersectionality into liberal identity politics. Anarchist literature

and organising are not automatically immune to these problems; posing

ideas and practices that are radically free from domination requires

critical reflection on assumptions and truths, including one’s own.

Despite challenges, anarchists have sustained and grown multiple sites

of resistance as well as constructive projects, while boldly

spearheading the confrontation with the far right. Confident that the

tide will turn again, the flame remains kindled.

In these uncertain times, the elaboration of anarchist analysis

bridging theory and practice, scholarly rigour and the insights of

social movements, is as necessary as ever.

The 5th International Conference of the Anarchist Studies Network will

be held at Loughborough University between 12-14 of September 2018.

Proposals are welcome for individual papers, as well as for panels

drawing together 3-4 papers around a common theme.

Please send abstracts of up to 250 words per paper to the address:

asn.conference.5@mail.com

Deadline for abstracts: 28 February 2018

ASN conferences aim to breach new frontiers in anarchist scholarship,

and encourage cross-pollination between disciplines. Contributions are

invited from within and outside the official academic sphere, from any

scholarly discipline(s), and on any topic relevant to the study and

practice of anarchism as a vital approach to social transformation.

The central theme for this conference is DECOLONISATION, which we hope

will inspire many of the presentations and panels. The purpose is

twofold: to stimulate discussion of colonialism and racism as forms of

oppression that anarchists oppose, but which continue to be felt in

anarchist organising; and to welcome individuals, groups and

communities who have not previously participated in ASN events. By

recognising the legacy of non-western and anti-colonial thought and

action in the anarchist tradition, we want to strengthen the ties

between contemporary anarchists and decolonial theory and practice in

the struggle against oppression, and to use the recognition of racist

and Eurocentric practices and mind-frames to open up the event to

marginalised groups.

We therefore particularly encourage submissions from the global south

and from people of colour, as well as from women, trans and non-binary

people, and people with disabilities. We strongly encourage panel

organizers to overcome exclusion. For the central theme, we welcome

presentations that are concerned with topics such as the following:

- Anarchist engagements with decolonial and race theory

- Anarchist geographies of decolonisation

- Anarchist movements in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific, etc.

- Anarchist resonances of non-western philosophies, religions and traditions

- Anti-nationalism and anti-fascism

- Decolonial critiques of anarchism

- Decolonial critiques of the state

- Histories of anarchist resistance to colonialism

- Intersections between race/colonisation and age, class, dis/ability,

gender, sexuality, etc.

- Non-western anarcha-feminism, green anarchism, individualism, etc.

- Non-western and western modes of (anti-)representation and the

movement between them

In addition, proposals are welcome on ANY TOPIC related to the study

and practice of anarchism.

As well as submissions that bridge the gap between “academic” and

other forms of knowledge, we also welcome proposals for workshops, art

events/performances and experimental pieces, and are happy to discuss

any ideas that you might have.

We welcome proposals for papers and panels in other languages, but

please send an abstract in English as well. Translation will be

self-organised during the conference on an ad-hoc, volunteer basis.

Loughborough University facilities are fully wheelchair accessible and

induction loops are available. We are hoping to have some travel

bursaries available for low- or unwaged participants, especially from

the global south, as well as co-organised childcare arrangements.

Although we cannot guarantee either of these at the present stage,

please do get in touch with any specific access needs and we will do

our best to meet them: asn.conference.5@mail.com

Call for papers Anarchist Studies Conference Loughborough, 12-14 September 2018

The fight against domination and destruction continues under heavy clouds. A global wave of resistance has once again been met with reaction, as elites turn to barefaced nationalism, racism and misogyny. For the world's majority, such oppression is neither surprising nor new, given the enduring legacy of colonialism and by-now-established forms of neo-colonial exploitation. Meanwhile, hegemonic discourses show a frustrating capacity to co-opt and neutralise: converting anti-capitalism into welfare-populism, ecological resistance into green consumption, and militant intersectionality into liberal identity politics. Anarchist literature and organising are not automatically immune to these problems; posing ideas and practices that are radically free from domination requires critical reflection on assumptions and truths, including one’s own. Despite challenges, anarchists have sustained and grown multiple sites of resistance as well as constructive projects, while boldly spearheading the confrontation with the far right. Confident that the tide will turn again, the flame remains kindled.

In these uncertain times, the elaboration of anarchist analysis bridging theory and practice, scholarly rigour and the insights of social movements, is as necessary as ever.

The 5th International Conference of the Anarchist Studies Network will be held at Loughborough University between 12-14 of September 2018. Proposals are welcome for individual papers, as well as for panels drawing together 3-4 papers around a common theme.

Please send abstracts of up to 250 words per paper to the address: asn.conference.5@mail.com

Deadline for abstracts: 28 February 2018

 

ASN conferences aim to breach new frontiers in anarchist scholarship, and encourage cross-pollination between disciplines. Contributions are invited from within and outside the official academic sphere, from any scholarly discipline(s), and on any topic relevant to the study and practice of anarchism as a vital approach to social transformation.

The central theme for this conference is DECOLONISATION, which we hope will inspire many of the presentations and panels. The purpose is twofold: to stimulate discussion of colonialism and racism as forms of oppression that anarchists oppose, but which continue to be felt in anarchist organising; and to welcome individuals, groups and communities who have not previously participated in ASN events. By recognising the legacy of non-western and anti-colonial thought and action in the anarchist tradition, we want to strengthen the ties between contemporary anarchists and decolonial theory and practice in the struggle against oppression, and to use the recognition of racist and Eurocentric practices and mind-frames to open up the event to marginalised groups.

We therefore particularly encourage submissions from the global south and from people of colour, as well as from women, trans and non-binary people, and people with disabilities. We strongly encourage panel organizers to overcome exclusion. For the central theme, we welcome presentations that are concerned with topics such as the following:

- Anarchist engagements with decolonial and race theory

- Anarchist geographies of decolonisation

- Anarchist movements in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific, etc.

- Anarchist resonances of non-western philosophies, religions and traditions

- Anti-nationalism and anti-fascism

- Decolonial critiques of anarchism

- Decolonial critiques of the state

- Histories of anarchist resistance to colonialism

- Intersections between race/colonisation and age, class, dis/ability, gender, sexuality, etc.

- Non-western anarcha-feminism, green anarchism, individualism, etc.

- Non-western and western modes of (anti-)representation and the movement between them

In addition, proposals are welcome on ANY TOPIC related to the study and practice of anarchism.

As well as submissions that bridge the gap between “academic” and other forms of knowledge, we also welcome proposals for workshops, art events/performances and experimental pieces, and are happy to discuss any ideas that you might have.

We welcome proposals for papers and panels in other languages, but please send an abstract in English as well. Translation will be self-organised during the conference on an ad-hoc, volunteer basis.

Loughborough University facilities are fully wheelchair accessible and induction loops are available. We are hoping to have some travel bursaries available for low- or unwaged participants, especially from the global south, as well as co-organised childcare arrangements. Although we cannot guarantee either of these at the present stage, please do get in touch with any specific access needs and we will do our best to meet them: asn.conference.5@mail.com

Theology for liberation in the UK - call for papers

Modern Believing Call for Papers - Circulate Widely!

Theology for Liberation in the UK

You are invited to submit a paper for review and publication that explores the interaction of radical politics and Christian faith that takes seriously its British context and looks for actual concrete change for neighbourhoods.


Nothing vague or aspirational: Demonstrably Practical Theology, rooted in neighbourhoods or marginal communities.

Papers need to demonstrate an understanding of a particular context, show that analysis has taken place with (rather than over or for) people and that the analysis of lived experience is deeply reflected on with academically rigorous theology that’s presented in an accessible way.


Themes may include but are not exclusive to:


- The interaction of religions in ways that change society

- Anarchy as observed and interacted with by people of faith

- Queer theology and its role in social transformation

- Disability and challenging the changes to the social contract

- Direct Action and theological reflection


Due Date for Proposals: 1st March 2016

Due date for submission of paper and abstract: 1st July 2016


Contact:

Revd Dr Keith Hebden, Guest Editor for Modern Believing

Mail for more details and to submit a proposal.

Anarchist Studies Network Conference, 14-16 September 2016 Loughborough

Loughborough University, U.K. – 14-16 September 2016
Central theme: Anarcha-feminism
Call for Papers and Sessions
The global resistance faces turbulent times, as the balance of hope teeters between inspiring mobilisation and reactionary retrenchment. In Rojava, Kurdish communities are implementing libertarian socialism and feminist leadership on a scale unseen since the Spanish civil war, while world powers bomb the democratic Syrian opposition alongside ISIS. The mobilisation of African Americans against police brutality goes beyond liberal platitudes to highlight systemic racism, while competitors for the Republican candidacy outdo one another in barefaced bigotry and misogyny. And while anarchists were encouraged by the resurgence of popular protest in the wake of the global financial crisis, much of that energy has been absorbed by electoral initiatives from Greece and Spain to the UK and US, vindicating longstanding concerns about the co-optation of movements who expect too much of the state. In these uncertain days, the elaboration of anarchist analysis which bridges theory and practice and speaks to the needs of social movements assumes increasing importance.
The 4th International Conference of the Anarchist Studies Network will be held at Loughborough University between 14-16 September 2016. Proposals are welcome for individual papers, panels, and streams of several panels. We especially encourage panel proposals, to include 3-4 presentations drawn together around a common theme, although individual paper proposals are of course also welcome.
Contributions from both within and outside the official academic sphere are invited from any scholarly discipline(s), on any topic relevant to the study of anarchism.
The central theme for the conference is anarcha-feminism. The purposes are twofold: to stimulate discussion of a form of oppression that anarchists oppose but which continues to be felt in anarchist organising; and to welcome individuals, groups and communities who have not previously participated in ASN events. By recognising the legacy of anarcha-feminists/anarchist feminism and women's activism in anarchism we want to strengthen the ties between contemporary anarchists and feminists in the struggle against oppression and use the recognition of misogynist practices and hierarchical gender structures to open up the event to other marginalised peoples. We therefore particularly encourage submissions from women, trans and non-binary people, queer activists, collectives, people of colour, people with disabilities and we strongly encourage panel and panel stream organizers to overcome exclusion. We are also especially interested in presentations that are concerned with anarchism and one/more of the following:
· Anarcha-feminist and queer theory
· Anarcha-feminist critiques of the state
· Anarcha-feminist histories
· Ecofeminism, individualist anarcha-feminism, anarcho-primitivist feminism, posthuman, cyborg and sci-fi anarcho-feminism
· Feminist critiques of anarchism and anarchist engagement with feminism
· Intersections between gender, sexuality, race, class, abilities and anarchism
· Local anarcho-feminist struggles / experiences
· Love, sex, relationships (or resistance to)
· Masculine and feminine representations and the movement between them
· Sex work and reproductive rights
· The role of women and non-binary people in the struggle against capitalism
In addition, we welcome contributions on any other topic relevant to the study of anarchism, with or without connection to anarcha-feminism.
ASN conferences aim to breach new frontiers in anarchist scholarship, and encourage cross-pollination between disciplines. As well as submissions that bridge the gap between ‘academic’ and other forms of knowledge, we also welcome proposals for workshops, art events/performances and experimental pieces and are happy to discuss ideas that you might have.
Please send abstracts of up to 250 words per paper (multiply for panel/stream proposals) to ASN Co-convenor Uri Gordon at u.gordon@lboro.ac.uk by 14 March 2016

- Specifically, our readers are cordially invited to come up with ideas for a special spiritual/religious anarchism section, not necessarily connected to the main theme.
You may send your ideas to christianarchy at yahoo dot co dot uk

Conference on Dorothy Day

A conference that will examine both the person and the teachings of Catholic Worker co-founder Dorothy Day will be held at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX, at the end of October

Enlightened Anarchism: An International Conference at Lapland University

Enlightened Anarchism: An International Conference at Lapland University

Sept 11-14, 2014, Lapin Yliopisto, LS 10

 

Organized by:

Ms. Ali Jones, CIMO Fellow, Cambridge University

Dr. Mika Luoma-aho, Lapland University

Anarchism has recently become a topic of scholarly focus, as social and political movements such as Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Spring emerge throughout the world. While traditional public opinion tends to view anarchism as juvenile force of negation, violence or gleeful destruction, it is nonetheless possible to examine a far more nuanced discourse, as espoused by the social actors involved. In fact, many such groups are particularly focused upon combatting fascism, perceived state corruption, the effects of neoliberalism or globalization, or to dedicating themselves to fighting for environmental protection, immigrant and refugee rights, or in other arena of social justice. Many of these aims could be interpreted as not only in the public interest, but also to constitute some of the cornerstones of democracy itself. In fact, in 2007 Saul Newman wrote that "the ideological terrain appears to have shifted to such an extent that to be radical these days is precisely to insist on things like the rule of law and protection of civil liberties and human rights." Indeed, despite the traditional perceptions of anarchy predominant in Finnish academia, it is in fact possible to view these social movements as composed of highly engaged, and even faithful, public citizens, which begs the question of why they are ostracized and considered to be so politically threatening. It further causes one to re-examine democracy and Anarchism categorically and philosophically.

The upcoming Enlightened Anarchism conference seeks to initiate this important conversation within the Finnish Academy. It is organized in organized in cooperation with Cambridge University, with financial support from the Lapland Faculty of Social Sciences. This major international event will host 25 speakers from around the world, including two outstanding keynotes: Dr. George Katsiaficas, Wentworth Institute of Technology and Dr. Alexandre Christoyannopoulos, Loughborough University, in addition to Special Guest Speaker Dimitrios Roussopoulous. Biographies of each speaker can be found online, along with the schedule of talks, at http://enlightenedanarchism.wordpress.com/. 

All events are free and open to the public, and we encourage students to attend and participate. Auditors should contact Ms. Ali Jones at ajones@ulapland.fi for registration details. Students seeking credit for participation should contact Dr. Mika Luoma-aho at mika.luoma-aho@ulapland.fi.

Enlightened Anarchism

September 11-14, 2014

Lapland University, in cooperation with Cambridge University

Location: Lapin Yliopisto, Room LS10, Rovaniemi Finland

 

Keynote Speakers:

George Katsiaficas

Alexandre Christoyannopoulos

 

Special Guest Speaker:

Dimitrios Roussopoulos

Friday September 12^th

8:30-9:15                     Registration, Coffee, warm snacks and pastries

9:15-9:30                     Welcoming Remarks, Ali Jones

9:30- 11:00                  Non-Western Anarchisms

Chair: Dimitri Roussopoulos

Tiina Seppälä, University of Lapland - Anarchism, Resistance & Social Movements: Critical Perspectives from South Asia

Enrique Galvan-Alvarez, International University of La Rioja - Revolutionary Mercy? The Western Buddhist Anarchist Tradition

James Jackson, Unaffiliated – Rebel Music

11:00-11:15                Break

11:15 - 13:15               Capitalism and the State

Chair: Julian Reid

Blair Taylor, New School for Social Research- New Spirit of Capitalism, New Spirit of the Left: Neoanarchism from the Alterglobalization Movement to Occupy Wall Street

Nina Rismal, Cambridge University - Critical Theory and the Question of Violence: The 1968 Students Protests

Brandon Wallace, New School for Social Research - Anarchism and the Legitimation of Authority

Joshua Anderson, Saint Louis University – Against the Nation-State: On the normative poverty of statism

13:15-14:00                 Lunch (University Cafeteria)

14:00- 15:30                 Anarchism and International Relations

Chair: Mika Luoma-aho

Michael Kilburn, Endicott College – Anarchism and Human Rights

Jan Hanska, Finnish Defense Research Institute – SERIOUSLY LUDICROUS:

The “ridico-anarchic” nature of the politics of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army

Guido Verstraeten, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences- Eco-Regionalism, an Alternative for Democratic Anarchistic Refuges.

15:30-16:00                 Break (Coffee and warm snacks provided)

16:00– 18:00               George Katsiaficas Keynote, The Grammar of Insurgency

18:15                            Board Bus at University to Forest Cookout.

(Food will be provided.  Please bring drinks, warm clothes, and rain coats as appropriate)

  

Saturday September 13^th

9:00-9:30                     Coffee, warm snacks and pastries

9:30- 11:00                  Anarchisms in German Thought and Praxis

Chair: George Katsiaficas

 

Anatole Lucet, École normale supérieure de Lyon - Spirit and community: Gustav Landauer’s criticisms of materialism and violence.

Katharina Karcher, University of Warwick and Cambridge University – The Red Zora: Anarchist Feminist Counter-violence in the Federal Republic of Germany 

Ali Jones, Cambridge University – Henri Lefebvre and German Autonomie

11:00-11:15                 Break

 

11:15-13:15                 Freedom, Ethics and the Spirit of Rebellion

Chair: Suvi Alt

 

Aylon Assael Cohen, Oxford University - The Insurrection of Feelings and the Feelings for Insurrection

Mari Kuukkanen, University of Helsinki - Prefigurative politics or counter-conduct?

Victor Castro, Universidad de Granada – Paradox of Ends and Means

Iwona Janicka, Cambridge University – Is There an Anarchist in this Closet? Understanding Contemporary Anarchism with Judith Butler and Peter Sloterdijk

13:15- 14:00                Lunch (University Cafeteria)

14:00- 15:30                Space and the Spatial Turn

Chair: Ali Jones

Mika Luoma-aho, Lapland University - Metaethics of Scale

Rui Coelho, University of Lisbon - Anarcho-Monks: Is Neomonasticism part of the “New Anarchist” wave?

Christian Pfenninger, University of Westminster – Porous Sovereignties

15:30-15:45                 Break

15:45- 17:15                Anarchism and Christian Theology

Chair: Alexandre Christoyannopoulos

Anthony Fiscella, Lund University - Two Christianities: “Communal” and “Imperial” Variations - Responsibilities and Relevancies for Researchers

Lara Apps, University of Alberta, No Gods, No Masters? Anarchic Optimism in Eighteenth-Century French Atheism

Justin Meggitt, Cambridge University - Anarchism and Apocalypse: The historical Jesus and the problem of violence deferred

17:15-18:00                 Break (coffee and warm snacks provided)

18:00- 20:00                Alexandre Christoyannopoulos Keynote, Leo Tolstoy’s Anticlericalism

20:00                           University Sauna.

(Drinks and snacks will be provided. Meals can be ordered).

Sunday September 14^th

Location: University Sauna Meeting Room

10:00-11:00                  Roundtable Discussion (Coffee, snacks, pastries provided)

Dennis Fox, Emeritus, University of Illinois at Springfield - Anarchist Morality and Personal Change

 

11:00-13:00                 Dimitrios Roussopoulos Special Guest Speaker,

Constructive Anarchism – Social Ecology and Democracy

13:00                           Conference Conclusion.

Call for papers on Enlightened Anarchism

Enlightened Anarchism

An inter-disciplinary event organized by Lapland University, in cooperation with Cambridge University.

Keynote Speakers:

George Katsiaficas, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Alexandre Christoyannopoulos, Loughborough University

With Special Guest Speaker:

Dimitrios Roussopoulous

Lapland University, Rovaniemi Finland

Sept 12-14, 2014

Please send abstracts of no more than 500 words, including email address and institutional affiliation, to conference organizers Ali Jones at ajones@ulapland.fi and Mika Luoma-aho at mika.luoma-aho@ulapland.fi by June 1, 2014.  

Please also see our website at: http://enlightenedanarchism.wordpress.com/

Anarchism has recently become a topic of scholarly focus, as social and political movements have become increasingly active across Europe and North America. While traditional public opinion tends to view anarchism as juvenile force of negation, violence or gleeful destruction, it is nonetheless possible to examine a far more nuanced discourse, as espoused by the social actors involved. In fact, many such groups are particularly focused upon combatting fascism, perceived state corruption, the effects of neoliberalism or globalization, or to dedicating themselves to fighting for environmental protection, immigrant and refugee rights, or in other arena of social justice. Many of these aims could be interpreted as not only in the public interest, but also to constitute some of the cornerstones of democracy itself.  Indeed, despite the traditionally discussed perceptions of anarchy, it is in fact possible to view these social movements as highly engaged public citizens, which begs the question of why they are ostracized and considered to be so politically threatening. It further causes one to re-examine democracy and anarchy categorically and philosophically.

This reconsideration further raises the debate surrounding the use of political violence for achieving democratic goals. This conference particularly wishes to open dialogue on these discourses, especially the moral, and one could even say spiritual aims of such movements. 

Furthermore, analysis and recent scholarship also asks whether anarchism must be “justified” by such moral categories, or if it should attempt to remove itself from such dominating discourses. As such, both moral and anti-moral interpretations are welcome, as well as those papers interrogating this process of moral justification itself.

Focusing upon this notion of enlightened anarchism, the conference presents a forum for discussing the moral, anti-moral, religious, anti-religious, social justice, democratic and anti-democratic, or purely revolutionary discourses of modern anarchists and social movements.

The conference organizers are particularly interested in placing these contrasting perspectives into fruitful and exciting conversation. Some potential areas of focus include:

-Enlightened anarchism

-Political theology and social movements

-The use of anarchism to achieve the goals of democracy

-The use of anarchy to combat perceived corruption

-The justification of destruction for purposes of social justice

-Discussions of anarchist violence

-The justification of violence for achieving democratic or moral goals

-A re-examination of democracy and anarchism

-Explicitly religious anarchism

-Explicitly anti-religious anarchism

-Anarchism as a non-religious morality

-Anarchism rejecting the category of morality

-Other types of anarchism

- While papers on Marxism will of course be considered, the conference organizers hope that they will relate to anarchism in some way.

Selected papers from the conference will then be compiled into an edited volume, and submitted to Cambridge University Press or another international publisher by the end of 2014.

While travel funding is unfortunately not possible, limited subsidized accommodations are available. Presenters are encouraged to contact conference organizers Ali Jones at ajones@ulapland.fi and Mika Luoma-aho at mika.luoma-aho@ulapland.fi with inquiries.

Keynote Speaker Biographies

George Katsiaficas has been active in social movements since 1969. A target of the FBI's COINTELPRO program, he was classified "Priority 1 ADEX" (meaning in the event of a national emergency, people like him were to be immediately arrested). For 11 years, he worked in Ocean Beach, California as part of a radical countercultural community (described in Andre Gorz's book, Ecology as Politics). He moved to Berlin, after which he wrote two books: one on the global imagination of 1968 and another on European social movements. In these books, he developed the concept of the “eros effect” to name the sudden and synchronous eruption of insurgencies. For years, he was active in the cause of Palestinian rights. Together with Kathleen Cleaver, he co-edited Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party. A graduate of MIT and UCSD (where he studied with Herbert Marcuse), he is currently based at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and also in Gwangju, South Korea, where he finished a 2-volume book, Asia’s Unknown Uprisings.  His web site is: http://www.eroseffect.com

Alexandre Christoyannopoulos is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Loughborough University, which he joined in 2010.He is the author of Christian Anarchism: A Political Commentary on the Gospel, a seminal book which brings together the writings of disparate Christian anarchists, Tolstoy in particular, and presents a comprehensive exegesis arguing that Jesus’ teaching implies anarchism. He has also published a number of articles, chapters and other publications on Tolstoy and on Christian anarchism, and edited Religious Anarchism: New Perspectives. He is currently working on a monograph on Tolstoy’s political thought, and co-editing a new collection of essays on anarchism and religion.A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he also acts as Treasurer of the Anarchist Studies Network and officer of the International Political Science Association’s research committee on Politics and Religion.His website, which includes a full list of publications (many of which are openly accessible online) and a more extensive biography, can be accessed via http://www.christoyannopoulos.com.

Call for papers - Living in the Cosmos

 

‘Living in the Cosmos:

Ethical and Ascetic Reflections on Patristic and ContemporaryTheology’

Confirmed keynote speakers: Professor Andrew Louth, Dr Krastu Banev

Monday 9th June 2014, Durham University

9.30am – 5:30 pm

PG20, The Palace Green, Durham University, DH1 3EP

We invite the submission of abstracts for 20-minute long papers from all interested academics including a quota of one third postgraduate students for the day conference ‘Living in the Cosmos’, to take place at Durham University on Monday 9th June, 2014.

We would like proposed papers to address or engage with the title topic of the conference: ‘Living in the Cosmos: Ethical and Ascetic Reflections on Patristic and Contemporary Theology’. We welcome varied interpretations of this topic, including, but not restricted to approaches through Patristic and Byzantine theology, Eastern Orthodoxy and Anglicanism, discussing such topics as:

• asceticism and ascetic practice
• environmental ethics
• politics and ethical conduct
• ethics of economics
• Christian living in the world today

This is a new conference and arises in response to a growing interest in the relevance of Patristic theology for contemporary living. Keynote papers will be 40 minutes and will open and close the conference. There will be of three sessions of four 20 minute papers over the course of the day. We are looking to accept twelve papers, four of which will be from postgraduate students. If interest is large enough and abstract contributions greatly exceed this number, we will consider putting on multiple sessions at a time.

Please email abstracts of approximately 200 words for 20-minute long papers to LivingInTheCosmos(at)ogdoad.org

When doing so, please indicate your name and institution in the subject of the email and nowhere else on the abstract submission.

Deadline for abstract submission is Friday 16^th May 2014.

Further notification will be issued when registration opens.

A registration fee of £10 for students and £15 for non-students will apply, which includes lunch and afternoon refreshments. A limited amount of overnight accommodation will be available to book in advance in St Johns College and other University colleges. Please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to book a room. We will also be going out for a meal together in the evening and we will be asking registering attendees to indicate if they would like to attend this also so that we may know the numbers for table booking.

It is unlikely that we will be able to give financial assistance towards travel or accommodation expenses, but those whose abstracts are accepted are asked to keep their receipts in the event that this changes.

Urgent call for papers for ASN conference and workshop on religion & anarchism

Building on the success of its predecessor, the 3rd International Conference of the Anarchist Studies Network will showcase the best new thinking in the study of anarchism as a political theory and practice – past, present and future. The conference aims to breach new frontiers in anarchist scholarship, and encourage cross-pollination between disciplines and contributions from both within and outside the official academic sphere. Proposals are welcome for sessions and individual papers from any scholarly discipline(s), on any topic relevant to the study of anarchism. Also welcome are proposals for practical workshops, experiential sessions, and other activities.

As at the earlier conferences in 2008 and 2012 there will be a special stream on religious anarchism / the relation anarchism - religion or spirituality.
Hosts will be Paul Cudenec and the undersigned, André de Raaij, independent researchers and writers on relevant subjects. 
 

As the crisis of late capitalism deepens, nominal democracies are increasingly showing their hand: freedom of speech is the freedom to be ignored. Every demand of the last wave of social mobilization has been rejected or side-lined. Instead, governments pursue business-as-usual with obstinacy. The fallout from the global financial crisis has become the pretext for even harsher strategies of inequality management. Devastating storms and a changing climate do nothing to stop the dash for gas. Even dramatic revelations about generalised surveillance and the infiltration of protest movements have done more to normalize these phenomena than to halt or reverse them. Governments will change the story on the move if they have to, or just plug their ears - perhaps unsurprisingly, since the last credible alternative does not include them.

For anarchists, new-found public disillusionment is as much of a challenge as a cause for celebration. Loss of trust in the democratic state can result in despair or reactionary retrenchment as much as it can lead to radicalization. Indeed, anarchists have been the first to offer solidarity to many marginalized groups in their struggles, and their organizational strategies – if not their actual aims – have inspired mass movements the world round. But the mere celebration of anarchist resurgence is no longer sufficient. What is now needed is a redoubled effort towards practical and theoretical innovation, and engagement with mass struggles in content as well as form.

Building on the success of its predecessor, the 3rd International Conference of the Anarchist Studies Network will showcase the best new thinking in the study of anarchism as a political theory and practice – past, present and future. The conference aims to breach new frontiers in anarchist scholarship, and encourage cross-pollination between disciplines and contributions from both within and outside the official academic sphere.

The conference will be held at Loughborough University during the first week of September 2014.

Proposals are welcome for individual papers, sessions, and streams of sessions. We especially encourage proposals for sessions, to include 3-4 papers drawn together around a common theme, although individual paper proposals are of course also welcome, as are proposals for practical workshops, experiential sessions, and other activities.

Contributions can come from any scholarly discipline(s), on any topic relevant to the study of anarchism.

 

Anarchist Studies Network: http://anarchist-studies-network.org.uk/

No Gods! No Masters! Looking ahead to an amazing conference...

I am even more excited about the Anarchist Studies Network conference in September now that I've seen the list of papers being presented and discussed - and this is just the ASIRA group. There are dozens of others going on simultaneously.

It will be possible to book places as of later this week.

author	title
Adams, Matthew	“As harmless as the rats and crows”: Religion and Spirituality in Herbert Read’s Anarchism
Bernhauser, Siegfried and Wörishofer, Birgit	The divine order and anarchy
Cassano, Jay	Jewish mysticism and Anarchism, a question of compatibility
Cudenec, Paul	The sacred soul of anarchy
de Raaij, André	Power to be free through obedience
Diskin, Danny	Theology, Resistance, and the Mistranslation of Scripture
Fiscella, Anthony	Autonomous Religious Movements
Fitch, Richard	Without Dogma, but with Eloquence and Irony: Anarchism, Religion, and Scepticism
Flintoft, Sam	The Egalitarian God: Exploring the Anarchist Implications of Don Cupitt's Theology
Garcia-Guirao, Pedro	Old Stereotypes and New Conceptions: Representations of Religion in Contemporary Spanish Anarchist Film (1995-2011)
Hebden, Keith	If I can’t dance I don’t want to be part of your religion: Understanding the Atheisms of Anarchism with Simone Weil and Emma Goldman
Kennedy, Karen	The Anarchist Turn and the Ideas of the Free Spirit and the Anarchist Turn
Lagalisse, Erica	Anarchism as Pantheism: Exploring the “Occult” History of the Radical Enlightenment
McHenry, Mark	An Anarchist Critique of Isaiah's Revolution - Developing the Anarchist Hermeneutic in Mainstream Biblical Studies
Meggitt, Justin	Anarchism, anachronism and the historical Jesus
Morris, Brian	Was Berdyaev an anarchist?
Podmore, Simon	Anti-theism & the Self Before God-Kierkegaard & Proudhon on the Freedom of Offence
Rossbach, Stefan	Religious experience and community formation
Stott, Paul	When Malatesta Met Mohammed: The Response of Anarchists to the Rise of Islamism
Strandberg, Hugo	Hardening one’s heart: On the relation of anarchism and religious belief

Occupy Academia!

From 3rd to 5th of September the second Anarchist Studies Network (ASN) conference will take place at Loughborough University. 

With an even greater number of 'streams' of discussion going on it shows that, despite the reputation and misuse of the term, 'anarchist', the field continues to push at boundaries of thought and action, not least in relation to religion. 

The first ASN conference was held at the same venue in September 2008. I think there were about 400 people at the final plenary debate: a tense exchange on the relative merits of academia and activism that one person compared to "the fourth century debate on whether Jesus was fully human or fully divine". 

It was as a result of the 2008 conference that ASIRA (Anarchists and Students Interested in Religious Anarchism) was born and the resulting publication, never likely to break records, surprised us all by requiring a re-print in paperback. 

Alex, who convened in 2008 and will again this year writes of the upcoming conferences religious stream, "‘No Master But God’? Exploring the Compatibility of Anarchism and Religion": 

"Anarchism and religion have long had an uneasy relationship. On the one hand, many anarchists insist that religion is fundamentally incompatible with anarchism, recalling that anarchism calls for ‘no gods, no masters’, ... On the other, some religious/spiritual radicals insist that their religious/spiritual tradition cannot but lead to a rejection of the state..." 

But there are plenty of other areas of discussion to get stuck into on this three day conference, from ontological and bodily anarchy to protest and revolution. The current list of seminar streams is available here. 

If you're interested in politics and how they relate to real life I can't think of an event this year that I would more thoroughly recommend than this one. 

Subsidies available where appropriate: see website. 

Dave Andrews in the UK

*events in bold are public events, events in feint print are not.

Mon 10 Oct	Tonbridge Baptist Church teaching event (evening event)
Tues 11 Oct	CUF training day (1-5pm) Birmingham,  Booking and information: Contact andy.turner@cuf.org.uk www.cuf.org.uk
Wed 12 Oct	Tearfund staff reflections (10am-12pm) Teddington
Thurs 13 Oct	Be the Change: Christian community involvement day event (11-3:30pm) Leeds, Booking and information: www.communitymission.org.uk
Fri 14 Oct	Community Development for drugs and alcohol work at Matthew Project(day event) Norwich Community Development for agencies working for change in Norwich(evening event) Norwich Booking and information : Contact Julian Bryant onjulianb@uwclub.net
Sat 15 Oct	Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor enquirers day (day event) Southall,  Booking: Contact Helen Sidebotham on uk@servantsasia.org www.servantsasia.org
Mon 17 Oct	All Nations Family Focus (day event) Hertfordshire Be the Change: Christian community involvement event (6:30-8:30pm) London, Booking and information: www.communitymission.org.uk
Wed 19 Oct	Love thy Neighbourhood- Livability 2.5 day residential Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire, £195 single room, £165 shared room Booking and online payment: www.communitymission.org.uk
Thurs 20 Oct	Love thy Neighbourhood- Livability 2.5 day residential See above
Fri 21 Oct	Love thy Neighbourhood- Livability 2.5 day residential See above
Sat 22 Oct	Oasis event (day event) Kent