Faith-based Radicalism

Terror attacks against Western symbols of power, suicide terrorism in Chechnya, or bombing of abortion clinics in the United States: these are a few of the violent religious outbursts that the media never seem to stop broadcasting. While these outbursts are mostly linked to Islamic extremism, it should however be acknowledged that every religion has its own violent side. Despite all the events the media are too prompt to show us, it would be dishonest and insensible not to accept that every religion has also a potential for religious peace building and communal renewal. How, can it be explained then, that religions sometimes react violently against the society surrounding them by trying to overthrow it, while at some other times they willingly help and try to build a better world for everyone? The University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp organised an interdisciplinary summer seminar in September 2005 and gathered senior scholars – all experts in their own fields – and junior scholars – who will be the experts of tomorrow – from all over the world, to discuss these burning issues. The seminar focused on miscellaneous topics all pointing towards the question of religion and society; like literalism and the Holy texts, the ambivalence of faith-based radicalism, the psychology of religion and terrorism, nationalism and religion and religious social movements.

The Editors: Christiane Timmerman coordinates research on Ethnic Minorities and Migration at the University of Antwerp (OASeS). She teaches Anthropology and is chairwoman of the Antwerp Centre of Migration Studies (CEMIS). She is also Director of Academic Affairs of the University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp. Dirk Hutsebaut is professor emeritus of psychology and Director of the Centre for the Psychology of Religion at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. He is an expert in the field of psychology of religion. Sara Mels holds a master degree in Modern History and in International Relations and Conflict Resolution at the KULeuven and is currently project coordinator at the University Centre Saint-Ignatius Antwerp. Walter Nonneman is professor of economics at the University of Antwerp and Managing Director of UCSIA - University Centre Saint Ignatius Antwerp. His current research interest is economics of migration. Walter Van Herck is part-time lecturer of philosophy of religion at the University of Antwerp and part-time lecturer at the Centre Pieter Gillis.

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