Transformative Religion

I am very happy how the panel was turned out. The vibrant discussions and thoughtful contributions from all participants led to a deeper understanding of how religion, when viewed as situated knowledge, becomes a powerful lens for analysing social transformation.

Our main conclusions highlighted the importance of recognising religion as a dynamic and contextually embedded form of knowledge. We explored how religious discourses, actors, and practices are transformed through their interactions with diverse social, political, and cultural contexts. The panel emphasised the value of bridging insider and outsider perspectives, fostering a multidisciplinary approach that enriches both academic study and practical engagement with religion. 

The idea of religion as situated knowledge not only gives space to the contextual as well as theologically significant aspects of such actors, practices, and discourses that deploy religion, but also enables reflection on the knowledge production regarding religious phenomena. Simply put, the concept of Religion as Situated Knowledge aims to synthesise and bridge different perspectives towards the study of religion, taking seriously the emic (insider) perspective while retaining an etic (outsider/critical) perspective. It is at this juncture that the IRTG’s multidisciplinary character becomes instrumental and productive for both scholarly and social inquiry.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my co-organisers, Whitney Muller (Stellenbosch University) and Kieryn Wurts (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), whose dedication and academic excellence were instrumental in shaping this event. 

Thank you also to all the presenters for their contributions: Ute Wallenböck, James Hammond, Carl Raschke, Ulrike Auga, Georg Breitfeld, Lukas Johrendt, Dewald Jacobs, Benedikt Heymann, Dion Forster.