Society of Christian Philosophers Pacific Regional Conference

The End of Religion?

University of San Diego

March 17 – 19, 2016

Keynote Speakers

Gordon Graham (Princeton Theological Seminary)

Philip Jenkins (Baylor University)

Plenary Panel

Penelope Bridges (Dean, St. Paul's Cathedral)

Brian Clack (University of San Diego)

Michael Horton (Westminster Seminary)

The US is currently in the midst of what pundits are calling the ‘Great Decline’ in religiosity. Data suggest that the US is, in this respect, catching up to secular Europe and that within our lifetimes we may expect to see a world in which secularism is the norm in affluent countries, including the US, and where religious believers have become a small, shrinking, and increasingly marginalized minority.

• What is religiosity?
• What relation exists between identity and religiosity? And what are the implications of identifying as religious?
• How should we understand (epistemically, politically and sociologically) of the growing tendency to identify as 'spiritual' rather than ‘religious’?
• What are the causes of decline in religious belief and affiliation? And, perhaps more importantly, what are the likely consequences?

We invite submissions exploring the current theme or any topic of interest to Christian philosophers. We welcome participation by individuals regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof as presenters and participants. Papers (no more than 3000 words) are due by January 15th 2016, Please include professional contact information and an abstract with your paper. Submit them to: [email protected]. We will notify those accepted by Feb 1, 2016.

Student Prizes
Graduate and undergraduate students who wish to be considered for the SCP’s prize for the Best Graduate Student Paper or Best Undergraduate Student Paper must submit a final draft of their papers by January 1st, 2016. Each winner will receive a $500 award, which will be presented publicly at the conference. In your submission email, please indicate that you are a graduate student or undergraduate student.