Scholars and students gathered at the 九色 (UST) for the Saliksikan 2024 forum on October 8, 2024, organized by the UST Institute of Religion, UST Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics, UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, UST Ecclesiastical Faculties, and Faculty of Arts and Letters, in collaboration with the Initiative for the Study of Asian Catholics (ISAC) at De La Salle University (DLSU).
The event, themed 鈥淓ngaging with Theology for a More Social Scientific Study of Religion,鈥� explores the intersection between theology and the social sciences in religion, highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding faith and its role in society; the forum featured renowned scholars in the field.
The Institute of Religion Director Fr. Ermito de Sagon, SSL, O.P., welcomed the event attendees. The forum鈥檚 highlights were two insightful lectures from distinguished professors from the Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs of Georgetown University.
The Salzburger Hochschulwochen Theology Prize winner Prof. Dr. Jos茅 Casanova delivered the first lecture, followed by the inaugural holder of the Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought Prof. Dr. Peter Phan. Both scholars offered rich insights into how theology can engage with social scientific methods to create a deeper understanding of religion in the contemporary world.
Casanova talked about the transition from what he labeled as the golden age of theology during the early 1970s and the influence of globalization and Western hegemony. He highlighted that the intercultural encounters of religious people in Asia marked a call for the development and theology and response to the signs of the times in Asia.
Meanwhile, Phan explained the master summary of the processes of globalization and how this idea calls for a theology from a minority perspective. He challenged theologians to reflect on what kind of God and Jesus theologians speak to others and emphasized the importance of the theology of migration.
UST academic staff members Prof. Clarence Batan, Ph.D., from the UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, and the Assistant Director of the UST Institute of Religion Assoc. Prof. Allan Basas, SThD, gave reactions to the talks. The event concluded with the closing remarks from the Chair of the Professional Advancement and Research Committee (PROARC) of the Institute of Religion Prof. Arvin Eballo, Ed.D.
Saliksikan 2024 offers valuable perspectives for scholars of religion, especially in fostering dialogue between theology and the social sciences, paving the way for more integrated and holistic approaches in the academic study of faith.
