Dear reader,
During our round table on October 23rd, we’d like to dive into the topic of trust. Our changing perceptions of trust and confidence have resulted in the credibility crisis we’re currently experiencing. Together with you, we’d like to discuss how religious studies and theology can contribute to new narratives.
In this personal content hub, you’ll find various articles to provide some background on the topic. This hub also contains the agenda, instructions on how to join the round table, and the key questions we’d like to discuss. I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Best regards,
Matthias Smalbrugge
Welcome!
Foreword by Matthias Smalbrugge
The world is experiencing a crisis of trust. How can theology and religious studies play a role in creating new narratives?
Can religion contribute to rebuilding trust in Europe?
There is a crisis of trust in Europe, affecting everything from its religious institutions to its economic and political institutions. How can religion play a role in rebuilding trust?
Strangers within: Can minorities trust Europe?
Can religious minorities trust Europe? Will Europe protect them from a history of violence, give them refuge when needed, protect their freedom to believe, and heed their voices? Or will Europe treat them as strangers within?
Transformation of religion in modern European society
The well-known secularisation theory has dominated the discourses about religion in Europe ever since its debut in the middle of the twentieth century. However, this theory certainly fails to acknowledge the inherent heterogeneity of European religiosity.
Rebuilding trust in the Roman Catholic Church amongst youth
The move towards a more progressive position of the Roman Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis’ election, comes at a time where the Church has seen a continued decline in its number of adherents in various European nations. How can this trust be rebuilt?
Questions for discussion
Based on the background articles above, we'd like to discuss three questions with you during our virtual round table.
Attendees
Who will be attending?
Matthias Smalbrugge
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Pablo Argarate
Faculty of Theology Graz
Thomas Renkert
Heidelberg University
Mathew Guest
Durham University
Lukas Meyer
Evangelical Theological Faculty München
Kjetil Fretheim
Norwegian School of Theology
