Conference To Explore New Religious Movements Feb. 23-24

The J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University will host a conference that focuses on new religious movements (NRMs) and religious liberty in the U.S. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24. Sessions will take place in room 315 of Carroll Library and on the fifth floor of the Cashion Academic Center on campus.
"The purpose of this conference is to not only give our students and the general public an opportunity to learn more about new and nontraditional religious movements in America, but more importantly to learn about the extent to which the law protects them," said Dr. Derek Davis, director of the Dawson Institute and professor of political science. "Many of these groups are controversial in our society, and the conference will be an opportunity for people to think anew about the role these groups play in our culture and whether they should be embraced or pushed to the margins."
Session topics will include "The Anti-cult Movement and Its Implications for NRMs and Religious Liberty in America," "NRMs and Conflicts with Law Enforcement Agencies," Update on the Branch Davidian Controversy," "Controversial Christian Movements: History, Growth and Outlook" and "Controversies Surrounding Women's Issues in NRMs," among others. Sessions will run from noon to 5:15 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
For more information or for a complete conference schedule, call the Dawson Institute at 710-1510.