This may interest some of you.
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Perspectives in Religion
MIDDLESEX RELIGIOUS STUDIES RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM
2013-2014
ATHEISM IN CHRISTIANITY
In his modern classic Atheism in Christianity: the religion of the exodus and the kingdom, published in 1968, Ernst Bloch wrote: ‘Only an atheist can be a good Christian; only a Christian can be a good atheist’. The colloquium is devoted to a systematic, chapter-by-chapter analysis and discussion of this influential study in the light of contemporary discussions around atheism, ideology, knowledge and power, and the place of religion in globalised society. Bloch claims that there is a heretical, revolutionary and atheist undercurrent in Christianity, its spirituality and its texts; a message of freedom which sides with ‘ordinary and unimportant people’, ‘the humiliated and insulted’ of this world, against the authority and power of the priests’ theist interpretations of the gospels. This undercurrent is worth considering today for it shows a different and more relevant face of atheism, and of religion, than the ones we encounter often in public debate. Yet Bloch’s dense and allusive prose is not always easy to understand. In the sessions this rich text will be made accessible. The colloquium will be led by Dr Johan Siebers, Senior Lecturer Religious Studies at Middlesex University and is open to all.
25 November: Round the corner
9 December: Scandal and folly
6 January: Intermezzo with Peter Thompson: “Only an atheist can be a good Christian...: religion and the metaphysics of contingency”
20 January: Prometheus a myth too
3 February: Exodus in the concept of Yahweh
17 February: Aut Caesar aut Christus?
3 March: Aut Logos aut cosmos?
17 March: Sources of life-force
Location: Middlesex University, Building 9, Hendon Campus, Room BG11. Sessions will take place from 16:00-18:00. Note: the sessions on 25 November and 9 December will start at 16:30, and will be held in room BG02. Refreshments will be served afterwards. See http://www.mdx.ac.uk<http://www.mdx.ac.uk/> for directions.
Registration and information: Dr Johan Siebers, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Please register in advance.
Text: Ernst Bloch, Atheism in Christianity: the religion of the exodus and the kingdom, with an introduction by Peter Thompson, London, Verso 2009. Original edition: Atheismus im Christentum: Zur Religion des Exodus und des Reichs, Frankfurt: Suhrkamp Verlag 1968.
Perspectives in Religion is the Middlesex interdisciplinary knowledge network in Religious Studies. It brings together researchers from across the humanities and social sciences to investigate the place of religion in culture, history and society and fosters collaboration between Middlesex University, its wide array of theological partner colleges and other research institutions and networks.
Dr Johan Siebers
Institute of Modern Languages Research
School of Advanced Study
University of London
Senate House
Malet Street
WC1E 7HU
London
+44 20 7862 8738
+44 7894 741174
http://www.igrs.sas.ac.uk<http://www.igrs.sas.ac.uk/>
http://www.sas.academia.edu/siebers
'Banality is counter-revolution.' (Isaac Babel)
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