Religion, Truth and Power in an Age of Identity Politics

Religion occupies a central place in our contemporary political moment. And in general, our politics and our societies are woefully ill-equipped to make sense of its enduring impact and influence. In this talk, Professor Wilson will outline four key points regarding religion’s relationship with identity, truth and power in the 21^st century.

Firstly, while we live in an age characterised by identity politics, this is not a new development. Secondly, religion has been part of identity politics for centuries, if not millennia. Thirdly, the impact of AI and social media is potentially what distinguishes current identity politics from those that came before. They exacerbate polarisation, feed misinformation and disconnection, and create a breeding ground for the emergence of totalitarianism. Consequently, and finally, in such an environment, building trust and social connection is crucial.

Professor Wilson will explore each of these points, arguing for more focus on AI literacy, religious literacy, and critical thinking, and attention to collective trauma, as ways to overcome division, strengthen trust and build community.

Design and layout: LINE UP boek en media bv | Riëtte van Zwol, Mirjam Kroondijk
Portrait photo: Chris Matthews
Cover photo: The center third of “Education” (1890), a stained glass window by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios, located in Linsly-Chittenden Hall at Yale University. It depicts Science (personified by Devotion, Labor, Truth, Research and Intuition) and Religion (personified by Purity, Faith, Hope, Reverence and Inspiration) in harmony, presided over by the central personification of “Light·Love·Life”. Wikimedia, Sage Ross, Public Domain.

Published by University of Groningen Presss
Broerstraat 4
9712 CP Groningen
https://ugp.rug.nl/