Religious Research Association
Call for Papers
2010 Annual Meeting, October 29-31
Sheraton Baltimore City Center
Religion in Unsettled Times
Although it can be argued that all times are to some degree unsettled, recent times have been tumultuous for many in the United States and other societies. Literal and figurative tsunamis have provoked change, realignment, and new practices. Such dynamics are not new, of course, but they do raise questions about what roles religion plays as societies experience dislocation of various sorts. The analysis of how religious individuals and organizations act in the face of perceived crises can add to our understanding of the interaction between religion and its contexts, and can shed light on many of the current challenges with which religious institutions wrestle.
We therefore solicit proposals for sessions and papers that examine how institutions and leaders define and respond to perceived crises or dislocation (financial, political, organizational, personal, etc.). Possible questions or issues to address include:
The effect of the US financial meltdown on congregations, denominations, or other religious organizations
The effect of the financial meltdown on religious restructuring in the US
The social construction of crisis
Ministries of relief and emergency response
Improvisation in ministry
The work of chaplaincy (in hospitals, airports, and other high stress settings)
Ritual and crisis
Religion and violence
Prayer and the experience of crisis
The religious practices and perspectives of stigmatized groups
Religion and contentious politics
Religion and insurgency
Religion and climate change
We welcome papers on all topics of a practical or theoretical nature relating to religion, especially (but not limited to) organized religion, denominations, and congregations. This year, however, we encourage sessions, papers, and panels that address the larger question of religion in unsettled times.
Send all proposals by email to:
Deborah Kapp, McCormick Seminary dkapp@mccormick.edu
Include email addresses and affiliations of all participants/authors on proposals.
Submissions open: January 15, 2010
Submissions due: March 1, 2010
Decision notification: April 5, 2010