SYMPOSIUM ON THE DECOLONIZATION OF THOUGHT AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE RELIGIOUS PHENOMENON
The religious factor has been an indisputable axis in the prolonged process of colonization of thought in the Americas. First, as a justifying element for the invasion of the American continent, whether in the Catholic or Protestant wing of Christianity. Second, as an articulating force in the construction and creation of the republics that arose from the independence processes.
At the same time, from the perspective of colonized peoples, the religious phenomenon has also taken the form of cultural resistance, adopting diverse strategies ranging from mimicry to open opposition through the affirmation of indigenous religions.
Today, there are Catholic and non-Catholic religious agents who deepen the after-effects of the ideas that underpinned colonialism, becoming legitimizers of political projects that restrict freedoms and rights; while other sectors from both expressions of Christianity in America seek to contribute to decolonization through a critical rereading of the Christian message, without renouncing their religious identity and membership, through actions derived from the strategy known as the inculturation of the gospel.
Given the latter, the question arises as to the viability of contributing to a decolonization of thought from within Christian institutionality itself.
This Symposium will address this question in order to contribute to confronting the process of decolonizing thought in the Americas.
