PUBLIC LECTURE: Does Religion Cause Violence? The Struggle for Peace

In this lecture, prominent US Catholic theologian William T. Cavanaugh will examine the “myth that religion causes violence”, claiming that the primary myth in academic circles, in the media, and in the man or the woman in the street is that religion is inherently violent.

Religion is alleged to be absolutist, divisive and irrational. Therefore, in order to keep the peace, the State must step in and privatise religion – often legitimating violence done in the name of secular, Western states and ideals.

In light of current world events, Dr Cavanaugh will re-imagine the stereotypes that have developed and will address the questions – do religions really cause violence? And how as a community can we build a culture of peace in a world dominated by a spiral of violence?

Biographical note: William T. Cavanaugh was educated in theology and religion at Notre Dame, Cambridge and Duke Universities. His dissertation for his PhD at Duke “Torture and Eucharist in Pinochet’s Chile” drew on his experiences living in Chile in the 1980s. The dissertation became the highly-acclaimed book “Torture and Eucharist: Theology, Politics and the Body of Christ” which reflects on the Church, the Eucharist and politics within the context of the Pinochet regime following the overthrow of Allende in Chile. It is now being produced in French-language and Spanish-language editions.

A well known writer on theology, the Church and politics, his other books include “Theopolitical Imagination: Discovering the Liturgy as a Political Act in an Age of Global Consumerism” and “The Blackwell Companion to Political Theology” edited with Peter Scott.

William Cavanaugh’s visit to Australia is supported by The University of Melbourne; Western Australian Council of Religious Institutes; Thomas More College; Mr Denis and Mrs Ann Cullity; Archbishop Barry Hickey; and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Perth.

ALL WELCOME. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED.