It is common today to think of both religion and politics as antiquated expressions of human order that no longer adequately account for our experience of the world. In this regard their elimination from public life is often understood as a civilizing mission and a spur to human progress. In the case of religion, scientists have marshalled arguments against its claims about the nature and origins of life, cultural theorists have explored its role in the expansion and maintenance of colonial empires, and philosophers have taught us that religion is both intellectually illusory and functionally significant in the ordering of our lives. In all instances the truth claims of religion are no longer accepted on their own terms.

Similar critical claims have been made about politics, though less directly and less vocally. In the nineteenth century Karl Marx argued that with the realization of philosophy the state (read politics) would finally wither away. Though this sentiment is usually associated with socialist regimes, one could argue that it characterizes modern capitalist regimes equally well. In both instances the smooth functioning of society understood as an organization or even a business replaces the old notion of politics as a forum in which people come together to debate the highest goods for human beings.

In this Area of Global Issues students will explore these claims in an effort to reach some understanding of the nature of religion and politics and their significance in the contemporary context.

Lecturer:
Dr. Gil Germain
Lecture Title - Area Two:
"In Defense of Polytheism"
Dates:
October 12 - October 18, 2011

Lecturer:
Dr. Doreley Coll
Lecture Title - Area Two:
"The Cross and the Sword:  the Sacred Holy Marriage and its Bastard Offspring - Liberation Theology"
Dates:
October 19 - October 25

Lecturer:
Dr. Reuben Domike
Lecture Title - Area Two:
"If the Politics and/or Religion Align With Your Perceived Progress, Then These Act As Engines"
Date:
Online Lecture:  available for viewing beginning October 26

Lecturer:
Dr. Christian Lacroix
Lecture Title - Area Two:
"The Miracle of Science"
Dates:
October 27 - November 1, 2011