Tradition and Modernity. Religion in Contemporary Dynamics

The International Seminar TRADITION and MODERNITY. Religion in Contemporary Dynamics aims to offer an aware analysis of religion in view of the tension between tradition, modernity and the challenges that derive from this tension. It is more than obvious that the society of the 21st century is a global one; that one may speak about a cultural-economical architecture that impresses dynamic vectors upon all the aspects of social life. For this reason, one of the most present social realities of today is represented by transformation. The climates and the cultural conditions are changing, the symbol structures that accompany them, are changing as well. Religion as a segment of society, with a very important part in its configuration makes no exception from this dynamics of change, of transformation. Today one aims for a re-definition, in new terms, of the traditional religion in order to satisfy the needs of the nowadays man. One considers that all that is traditional is obsolete and may not be applied today. But, invalidating consecrated traditional religious values does not represent a risk of the alienation of man regarding the normality and the sense of his existence? What is the constructive dimension of tradition in relation to modernity? Is there a real tension between tradition and modernity? What are the challenges for religion in the tension between tradition and modernity? And many other questions constitute the argument for a re-evaluation of the discussed issue. The seminar aims to have an inter- and transdisciplinary character.

Subthemes:

- tradition and modernity: theological, philosophical and cultural perspectives

- traditional religious values and secular mentality
- religion and political ideology: critical remarks

- religion and globalization: challenges and opportunities

- religion, science, philosophy: new research trends in 21st century