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Vita01b


Faith in Times of Crisis: Religion, Spirituality and Faith-Based Organisations as Life Supports 
Convenors:
Kathleen Openshaw (Western Sydney University)
Cristina Rocha (Western Sydney University)
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Format:
Panel
Stream:
Vitality
Location:
NIKERI KC2.208
Sessions:
Wednesday 23 November, -
Time zone: Australia/Melbourne

Short Abstract:

This panel explores the how religion, spirituality and faith-based organisations (FBOs) may provide spiritual, social and material life supports during crises and disasters.

Long Abstract:

We live in existentially uncertain times beset by global socio-political upheaval, war, an ever-worsening refugee crisis, the intensifying climate emergency with associated habitat loss and mass extinction, a dramatic rise in the cost of living and the COVID 19 pandemic. Within this precarious global context, Australia has experienced disastrous governmental policies such as the robodebt scheme (an illegal method of automated debt assessment), and cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), in addition to horrendous bush fires and floods leaving communities across the country traumatised. This panel invites contributions that discuss how religion, spirituality and faith-based organisations (FBOs) provide spiritual, social and material life supports for those affected by such tragic situations. We invite panellists to consider the many ways in which faith-related activities may explain, respond, adapt to, hinder, frustrate and manage crisis circumstances. We seek to discuss questions such as:

o In what ways does a connection to the divine provide comfort and guidance during adversity?

o As neoliberalism dismantles the welfare state and shrinks state-funded social services, what role do religious institutions, spiritual communities and FBOs play in addressing need within communities?

o How have religious institutions and spiritual communities supported or burdened adherents during COVID 19(e.g., questioning/supporting vaccination, moving or refusing to move online, etc.)?

o What is the relationship between faith and activism in addressing political (in)actions during crisis conditions, particularly those related to the Anthropocene?

o How are religious/spiritual rituals, beliefs and material culture used, repurposed and created to address crises and disasters?

Accepted papers:

Session 1 Wednesday 23 November, 2022, -