Hosted by the European Humanities University, Mykolas Romeris University

Hosted by the European Humanities University, Mykolas Romeris University

International Seminars on

Religion and Citizenship

Hosted by the European Humanities University, Mykolas Romeris University,

Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, and the Issa Institute

RETHINKING HOW RELIGION IS GOING PUBLIC IN EASTERN EUROPE

Vilnius

2013–2014

Since 1990, religion has exhibited a multidimensional, sometimes even paradoxical character amidstthe ongoing transformation of Eastern European societies from socialist realism to some form of democracy. To be sure, the state, for the most part, protects individual religious liberty—the freedom to practice or not to practice a particular religion. Moreover, state-recognized religions often participate in public life. Yet, for many, religious expression, especially in a plural democracy, is considered a private matter that remains within the boundaries of institutional religion because it is divisive or irrelevant to society.

Recent events such as the “Punk Prayer” performances at two Moscow churches (in which religious themes were invoked in political protest against the government and the Russian Orthodox Church), as well as recent protestsabout theatrical performances on religious issues in Vilnius, demonstrate that the definition of public space with respect to religious expression is undergoingreconsideration. Such events highlight the supposed gap between what can and cannot be expressed in public as well as the diverse and interconnected aspects betweenindividual and civic life. These aspects are based, in large part, on identities and values that provide meaning and purpose to human existence.

This series of international, multidisciplinary seminars is designed to bring experts and members of the public together to consider a compelling topic: How Religion Is “Going Public” in Eastern Europe. The series will consider historical, sociocultural, theological, philosophical, and existential matters that influence the behavior of individual citizens,along with the preconditions to personal and institutional religious activity in a variety of public spheres.

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The seminars have been designedto engage the complex of issues outlined above, focused particularly on Eastern European societiesin comparison to other regions.These seminars will also provide students, academics, public officials,and representatives from religious institutionsa forum to explore these issuesfreely, openly, and critically, all within the bounds of charity and respect for all persons.

Seminars will be twice a month beginning in February 2014, each consisting of a 30-minute lecture, a 15-minute response to the primary lecture, and 40 minutes of open discussion. The seminars will be held in Englishat various local venues.

Schedule of Activities 2014

  1. Selling Religion
  2. Date: Tuesday, 11 February at 16.30
  3. Location: MRU (Ateities g. 20) Building II. Rm. 230
  4. Lecturer:Gintare Kriaučiunaitė (MRU)
  1. Fading Secularism Perspective: Questioning Modernization in Eastern Europe
  2. Date: Tuesday, 25 February at 16.30
  3. Location: MRU (Ateities g. 20) Building II. Rm. 230
  4. Lecturer: Olga Breskaya (EHU)

March 2013

1.Religion, Human Rights, and Religious Freedom in Public

  1. Date: Thursday, 13 March at 16.30
  2. Location: MRU (Ateities g. 20) Building II. Rm. 230
  3. Lecturer: Natalia Vasilevich (Ecumena: Center for Cultural & Educational Initiatives, Minsk)

2.Agnosticism and the “Open Society”

  1. Date: Tuesday, 18 March at 16.30
  2. Location: MRU (Ateities g. 20) Building II. Rm. 230
  3. Lecturer: Algirdas Degutis (MRU)

April 2014

1.Religion Goes Public in Contemporary Lithuania: What Does Society Think About It?

  1. Date: Tuesday, 1 April at 16.30
  2. Location: LEU (Studentų g. 39), Rm. 427
  3. Lecturer: Milda Ališauskienė (VMU)

2.Religion in the Public Sphere in Post-communist Slovakia

  1. Date: Wednesday, 23 April at 16.30
  2. Location: LEU (Studentų g. 39), Rm. 427
  3. Lecturer: Miroslav Tižik

May 2014

  1. Limitations of Law Related to Religion
  2. Date: Tuesday, 6 May at 16.30
  3. Location: MRU (Ateities g. 20) Building II. Rm. 230
  4. Lecturer: Regina Valutytė, Dovilė Gailiūtė (MRU)
  1. Religion and the Justice of Nations: Is Justice for All Merely an Illusion?
  2. Date: Tuesday, 20 May at 16.30
  3. Location:LEU (Studentų g. 39), Rm. 427
  4. Lecturer: Stephen Garrett (LEU; Issa Institute)

June 2014

  1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the Church and Public Life in Europe
  2. Date: Tuesday, 3 June at 16.30
  3. Location: LEU (Studentų g. 39), Rm. 427
  4. Lecturer: Phil Zeigler (University of Aberdeen, UK)
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