North Carolina Religious Studies Association
Annual Meeting November 2, 2024
Program

Fayetteville State University
Lyons Science Annex (LSA)

8:00-9:00: Registration and Check-In (LSA 128)

9:00-10:30: Session 1A: Eastern Religions (LSA 127)

• "The Quiet Path of Anekantavada: Understanding Jainism’s Approach to Religious Conversion," Nick Petrov (UNC Pembroke)

• "Unveiling Ikigai: A Philosophical and Ontological Exploration of Japanese Wisdom," Han Lheem (Fayetteville State University)

• "Paint the Path: Monastic Paintings of Solukhumbu, Nepal," Darius Cummings (High Point University)

• Chair: David Nikkel (UNC Pembroke)

9:00-10:30: Session 1B: African Religions and Roots (LSA 129)

• "Taboos in Traditional Religious Beliefs and Practices among the Igbos in Southeastern Nigeria," Ngozi Kamalu (Fayetteville State University)

• "The Intersection of Christianity and Chieftaincy in Africa: A Study of Harmonization," Paul Boaheng (Fayetteville State University)

• "The Living-Dead Ancestors and Impacts on Traditional African Religion," Kofi Johnson (Fayetteville State University)

• Chair: Paul Boaheng (Fayetteville State University)

10:45-11:45: Session 2A: Biblical Reflections (LSA 127)

• "Deconstructing the Category of 'Johannine Literature' and Acts of John by Prochorus’ Participation in 'Johannine Discourse,'" Ciara Mulcahy (UNC Chapel Hill)

• "Josiah’s Reform: A Literary, Sociological and Military Assessment," Ray Sutherland (UNC Pembroke)

• Chair: P. Eddy Wilson (Shaw University)

10:45-11:45: Session 2B. Western Catholic Religious Reflections (LSA 129)

• "Sobriety as Salvation: Catholic and Protestant Conflicts over Temperance in Nineteenth-Century Ireland," Bradley Kadel (Fayetteville State University)

• "Peter in the Storm: An Examination of the Gay Catholic’s Role in Fiducia Supplicans," Emma Smith (UNC Greensboro)

• Chair: Kelli Cardenas Walsh (Fayetteville State University)

12:00-12:30: Business Meeting and Awards (LSA 120)

12:30-1:30: Lunch (on your own)

1:30-2:45: Session 3A: AI, Science, and Religion (LSA 127)

• "Carpe Simulatio: Seizing the Virtual Day," Madeleine Pilione and Isabella McMillan (Appalachian State University)

• "Changing of the Gods: Large Language Models and Religion," Randall Reed (Appalachian State University)

• "Radiocarbon in dinosaur bones: Does it support the young-Earth creationist view?," Philip Senter (Fayetteville State University)

• Chair: P. Eddy Wilson (Shaw University)

1:30-2:45: Session 3B: Global Religious Beliefs and Practices (LSA 129)

• "Mecca is Within: Religio-spatiality as a Pretext for Black Muslimness in America," Jerry Grimes and Youssef J. Carter (UNC Chapel Hill)

• "Prayer specialists: the devotions and discourse of the motiochihuanih as religious leaders in Chicontepec, Mexico," Abelardo de la Cruz (UNC Chapel Hill)

• Chair: Francena Turner (Fayetteville State University)

3:00-4:15: Session 4A: Wholistic Religious Belief (LSA 127)

• "The Stoic and Daoist Views of Living with Nature," Sofie Smith (High Point University)

• "Radical Embodiment, Self-Organizing Systems, and Divine Action," David Nikkel (UNC Pembroke)

• "The Theodicy of Josiah Royce," Richard Hall (Fayetteville State University)

3:00-4:15: Session 4B: Unending Religious Concerns (LSA 129)

• "Religion goes to the Movies," Conrad Ostwalt (Appalachian State University)

• "Speaking on Behalf of Religious Persons seeking Forgiveness," P. Eddy Wilson (Shaw University)

• “Erasmus and Luther on Free Will,” Greg Rich (Fayetteville State University)

• Chair: Randall Reed (Appalachian State University)