Proselytism and Religious 

Proselytism is defined by Webster as “the practice of making converts.” Christianity and Islam, the two largest world religions, each have theological rationales for converting others and each has historically been successful, with momentous effects for the past, present and future of international affairs. Is proselytism a part of religious freedom or does it constitute an assault on religious communities? How can we balance the right to win adherents by persuasion with the right of communities to defend their respective identities?

To explore these and other questions surrounding the challenges posed by proselytism, join us on the campus of Georgetown University on March 3 for a conference on “Proselytism and Religious Freedom in the 21st Century.”  Among many highlights of this daylong conference (see schedule below)  will be a “keynote debate” on the pros and cons of proselytism between two world-class intellectuals --  Georgetown Sociologist Professor (and Berkley Center Senior Fellow) Jose Casanova and Notre Dame Professor of Law, Gerard V. Bradley.

8:30 am - 8:55 am: Light breakfast available

9:00 am: Welcome: Thomas Banchoff, Director,  Berkley Center

9:05 am - 10:20 am: Proselytism as Religious Duty
Richard Land, Southern Baptist Convention
Imam Mohamed Magid,  All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center
Randi Rashkover,  George Mason University
Moderator: Timothy Samuel Shah,  Boston University

10:20 - 10:30: Break

10:30 am - 12:00 pm: The Political Implications of Proselytism
Salam Al Marayati, Muslim Political Action Committee
Leah Daughtry, House of Lord Church , Washington , DC
Matthew Richards,  Brigham Young University
Moderator: Eric Patterson,  Berkley Center

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm: Buffet Lunch

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm: Keynote Debate: Proselytism Pros and Cons
Jose Casanova,  Georgetown and the Berkley Center
Gerard V. Bradley,  Notre Dame Law School
Moderator: Thomas Farr,  Berkley Center

1:45 - 2:00: Break

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: The Legal and Social Dimensions of Proselytism
Robert Woodberry,  University of Texas
Roger Finke,  Penn State
Angela Wu, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Moderator: Allen Hertzke,  University of Oklahoma

For more information and the full schedule, see the event webpage: http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/proselytism-and-religious-freedom-in-the-21st-century