This coming weekend at the national meeting of the American Academy of Religion in Philadelphia, the Regions Committee is hosting a special program on the emerging problem of progressive religion scholars being targeted by the radical Christian right, in many cases in such a way as to silence these scholars. The panel, entitled "Responding to Political Targeting of Religion Scholars in U.S. Institutions of Higher Education" is Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. (panel A19-101) The case of Professor Miguel de la Torre (now at Iliff School of Theology), and his departure from Hope College in Holland, Michigan (a case we learned of from a diary here on KOS) will be presented, and we will be looking at the evangelical tracking of faculties and departments around the country. Below the flip are a series of questions I would like to throw open to the KOS community for consideration and assistance. I will post the results of our meeting here on KOS after the national meeting.
Please respond to these questions by number in the comments. Any links would be appreciated.
- Are you aware of cases in any university or college with which you are affiliated where progressive scholars (particularly religion scholars but not exclusively so) are being targeted by religious zealots for views deemed to be "un-biblical?"
- Have you, as a student, faculty or community member, heard of any cases where donors to a university have been called upon to use their clout to try and silence faculty or teachers?
- Do you know of any national clearinghouses or programs which are tracking the cases of the religious right attempting to silence religion scholars (or other scholars)?
- What kind of a national clearinghouse do you think would be most effetive in raising awareness about this issue?