Conference on 14th-16th January 2010 at the British Academy, London

Organisers: Trevor Stack (University of Aberdeen) and Tim Fitzgerald (University of Stirling)

Sponsors: The British Academy and the Centre for Citizenship, Civil Society and Rule of Law, University of Aberdeen (www.abdn.ac.uk/cisrul)

How and why do people - politicians, academics, managers, teachers, journalists, clergy, lawyers – distinguish between "religious" and "non-religious" or "secular"? And what happens when they make such a distinction? It matters, after all, whether a museum exhibit is considered cultural or religious; a crucifix on a necklace is deemed an expression of faith, tradition or fashion; Western law is regarded as different in kind to shari'a law; a transaction is considered financial rather than religious; a particular state is held to be secular or not; a minority is viewed as religious or ethnic; and a PhD thesis is considered religious or just about religion. The conference will broaden our understanding of religious-secular distinctions by bringing together scholars from religious studies, anthropology, history, economics, law, theology, philosophy, sociology and political science. Panels include Religious-Secular beyond the Wars of Religion, Religious-Secular in Law and Education, Religious versus Secular Citizens, Distinguishing Religious and Economic, Categories of Gender and Religion, and The Idea of the Secular University.

Please register using the online form at http://www.britac.ac.uk/events/2010/rsd/. There is a 10% discount for registration before 24 December 2009. Rates are cheaper if you register for the full three days of the conference, and discounts are available for students and for the unwaged and retired. Attendees have the option of having lunch and/or dinner with speakers at the British Academy.