1. Professor Joseph A. Camilleri Religion in Today’s World:
2007 Lecture Series
Professor Joseph A. Camilleri
Religion in Today’s World:
“The Revenge of God?”

2. The Revenge of God? World’s Major Religions Religion 1970 2000 2025
% of world population
Christians
Muslims
Hindus
Buddhists
Other religions
Non religious
World population
(millions) , , ,824

3. Thomson

4. The Islam Project

5. The Revenge of God
The
Islam
Project

6. The Revenge of God?

7. The Revenge of God?

8. The Revenge of God? DEFINING RELIGION
System of beliefs and behaviour based on system of symbols and meaning (Geertz)
Multidimensional phenomenon
Institutional (organisation and leadership)
Narrative (myths, creation stories, worldview)
Ritual (rites of passage, celebration)
Ethical (moral rules)
Experiential (experiencing the spiritual dimension of life)

9. The Revenge of God? DEFINING RELIGION Social functions
What role does religion play in society?
Domain of the “extraordinary”
What is the relationship between the natural and the supernatural?
Domain of the “sacred”
Realm of existence that calls for empathy, respect, reverence

10. Religion: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?
The Revenge of God?
Religion:
Part of the Problem or
Part of the Solution?

11. Religion: Cause of conflict or Basis for Dialogue?
The Revenge of God?
Religion:
Cause of conflict or
Basis for Dialogue?

12. The Revenge of God? Key Questions of Dialogue Why dialogue?
Who participates?
What are the underlying principles?
What are the possibilities?

13. The Revenge of God? Key Principles of Dialogue: Search for truth
Listening as well as speaking
Journey = discovery of ‘other’ & ‘self’
Valuing of commonalities
But also valuing of differences
Sharing the memory of the past
Acknowledging / experiencing pain of the ‘other’ = key to healing /reconciliation
Legitimate & humane governance

14. Professor Joseph A. Camilleri Religion in Today’s World:
2007 Lecture Series
Professor Joseph A. Camilleri
Religion in Today’s World:
“The Revenge of God?”