Theoretical Background

A great deal of research has already been carried out into the causes of radical thinking and extremism. Many factors appear to play a role in the process by which an individual develops increasingly extreme views (biographical, social, political, psychological, etc.). In these studies, religion is generally regarded as one of the factors that contribute to the radicalisation of an individual or group to a greater or lesser degree. In this conference, which is part of a five-year project, the intention is not to focus on the interrelationship of these factors, or which one takes precedence over the other. Such questions are part of a study in which the process of change is explained from the ‘outside’. The accompanying theories, however, say nothing about the motives that a person him- or herself indicates for his or her ‘system of thinking’. In this conference, the intention is to focus on the way in which ‘truth’ is conceived. After all, it is a person’s opinion about what is and what is not considered ‘true’ that determines the extent to which someone develops ‘radical thinking’. For someone who is driven by the force of faith this means that when asked about his or her convictions and actions, he or she will point to what he or she believes is true.

A believer can develop extreme ideas and become ‘radicalised’ by a coherence of ‘social’ factors – education, poverty, peers – which can be unravelled by a researcher. The person him- or herself, however, will not explain the extreme convictions by pointing to the social background or a certain psychological conjuncture: he or she will point to his or her religious convictions. These convictions are qualified by many researchers as ‘secondary’, as one of the many factors leading to radical thinking. This may be so, but for the radicalised person these beliefs are ‘primary’ and refer to the (for him or her) only ‘real truth’. The meaning of the concept of ‘truth’ within a theological context has to do with the foundation of any radical thinking, namely, that one’s own truth is regarded as the universal norm. (Religious) convictions can thus be described metaphorically as the ‘fuel’ in the engine of radical thinking: many factors are needed to work together for someone to become radicalised, but without convictions that this person possesses (based on his or her definition of ‘truth’), the engine will not run…

Radical thinking is directly connected to the concept of truth. This is regarded as absolute, unchangeable, and all-encompassing. For the radical believer, this truth is never questioned and serves as the guiding principle for life and action. Truth that cannot be questioned and that must be ‘protected’ against any attack from outside, can generate positive forces (such as the ‘radical love of Jesus’), but more often leads to negative actions (such as incomprehension, exclusion and physical violence). The effect of the concept of truth is observed daily in our churches and societies: people who are called upon to radically choose to do well for church and society, and people who defend ‘their’ truth as an absolute and divine given and want to make everything and everyone subordinate to it.

To counter negative radical thinking, therefore, we need to understand how concepts of ‘truth’ function within religious frameworks and in what ways they take shape in necessary. The conference is therefore aimed at gaining insight into the way in which a believer accounts for his or her thinking and actions within his or her own religious framework. That is the discourse within which the motivations of a ‘radical thinker’ needs to be described. It is within this same discourse that solutions and ways out of the harmful effects of radical thinking on church and society needs to be addressed.

Church and Society

Churches have long since ceased to consist of homogeneous groups of people; they accommodate people of different cultural backgrounds, languages, beliefs and colours. This often goes well, and a mix of differences can produce new fruitful forms of coexistence. Differences, however, can also produce conflicts that may or may not be expressed and addressed. The challenges faced by churches are numerous. Not only do they have to respond to modern questions and challenges concerning faith and existential questions, but they also must do so in a very multi-cultural and multi-diverse social setting. This undoubtedly generates tensions that each congregation tries to resolve in its own way.

The conference (as part of a broader project) aims to meet the questions, problems and challenges associated with the coexistence of conflicting ideas and views within a specific social framework (in this case, the church). In other words, the intention is to explore ways in which churches can deal with and escape from potential conflict situations. To do so, past and present examples of religious groups that were or were not tolerant of views, ideas and beliefs other than their own must be included. At the same time, the conference should offer church and society some directions for truly living together in a multi-cultural and multi-diverse world.

We welcome (20 min or 40 min) contributions in one of the following research fields:

• Radical thinking as a positive factor in church & society
• Radical thinking as a negative factor in church & society
• Examples from the past: historical research into the radical thinking of groups and individuals

1. Positive examples from the past
2. Negative examples from the past
3. Building bridges: examples of people or groups who held on to their own belief system, but at the same time opened paths to an understanding of other belief systems

• Philosophical questions

1. What do we mean by ‘truth’?
2. How do we conceive truth and what is the connection with our actions?
3. Questions of definitions (radicalism, radicalization, extremism, fundamentalism, radical thinking, etc)

The proposal should be an abstract of 300 to 500 words and not the full paper.

We kindly ask you to submit your proposal by 1 January 2026. 

To submit your proposal, please use the following online form:

Submission Paper

The conference will take place on 22 and 23 April at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria (South Africa).

It is possible to attend the conference in person or participate online. This applies to both speakers and other participants.

The four sub-themes of the conference will be addressed in 20- and 40-minute lectures, followed by a short discussion. On the second day, a working meeting will be held with the participants present to set out the lines for the continuation of the “Radical Thinking” project.

Participation online is free of charge.

The price for on-site participation is as follows:

• ZAR 250 for residents of South Africa
• Euro 25.00 for residents of Europe
• Dollar 30.00 for residents of the USA
• GBP 22.00 for residents of the United Kingdom

This price includes participation in the conference, coffee, tea and refreshments.

The organisation has a list of suitable accommodation options for overnight stays. This can be provided on request. The organisation can also answer any other questions you may have. See “contact” for more information.

The detailed programme will be presented in early 2026.

For registration click here.

• University of Pretoria (SA), Faculty of Theology (UP)
• University of the Free State (SA), Faculty of Theology (UFS)
• Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA)
• Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK)
• Anglican Church in Belgium

And more are on the way…

The project aims to bring together academics and people from the church in order to cover the entire field of human experience. While researchers can view the subject of “radical thinking” from a certain distance, it is the people working in the church who can put this knowledge into practice. A letter to the churches further explains the importance of this collaboration for the project.

 

Dear representative of the church

I would like to draw your attention to a project of great importance for church and society. Five years ago, the Protestant Faculty of Brussels (FPTR) initiated a collaboration with the University of Pretoria on the theme of ‘Radicalism and violence’. This resulted in a publication that was made freely available (see attachment). The Covid years, as with many things, brought everything to a halt, but in the meantime the project was revived. Here, the focus was shifted somewhat to the next theme: ‘Radical thinking and the concept of Truth’. At the same time, it was decided that the project should be as broadly based as possible and that not only theological faculties but also churches should be invited to participate. Hence this letter asking you and your denomination to engage in this project. In the attachment, you will find more information on the objectives and design of the project, as well as a ‘call for papers’, which specifically calls attention to the upcoming conference at the end of October 2025.

Specifically, we ask if your church would like to get involved in the project for the following reasons:

• Polarisation and radical thinking is a major challenge that is increasingly manifest in society, of which churches are also a part.
• Polarisation and radical thinking is also found in the churches and is increasingly perceived as a problem as it threatens the unity of faith.
• We note that faith and the concept of truth are often under-researched in studies on ‘radicalism’ and ‘polarisation’. This is a major omission, as in our view people’s conceptions of faith and truth are determining factors in radical thinking and subsequent polarisation. When it then comes to faith and truth, we obviously cannot ignore the churches.
• If, together with the churches, we can find a way to talk about faith and truth, without falling into unfruitful black-and-white thinking, this would be a clear signal to society to start talking to each other as well. Church unity is not only important for the church itself, but also for the society the church is part of. Here, we start from unity in diversity.
• The project is deliberately designed as a collaboration between theory and practice. The aim is to find a way to counter radical thinking and polarisation in church and society. This means that we need a theoretical thinking through, which will be tested against practice at the same time. Theory will also need to be fed from people’s day-to-day experience. So we are looking for an interaction where theory and practice influence, test and challenge each other. For this, we need input from the churches.
• We want to grow in partners. The aim is to build the broadest possible (global) network of actors who want to think and act together to counter the far-reaching polarisation in church and society. This is a task for everyone of good will. Churches possess a broad network of contacts and a wide range of resources.

What does this commitment entail?

• The project will run for five years. During this time, we ask if your church would like to commit to thinking and helping to build the project.
• Actively monitor the project, provide input and discuss the results in your own network.
• Delegate a contact person who is concretely involved in the project: meeting, contributing to conferences, following up and translating the results for the constituency.
• This person (or persons) effectively acts as ‘gate keeper’: he or she forms the church’s link with the other partners in the project. In this way, input can be given from the field and an interaction can take place between practice and theory.
• Contributing to the ultimate goal: to come up with recommendations to counter polarisation in church and society. These must come from the grassroots and be tested against the grassroots. For this, again, involvement of your church is indispensable.
• A financial contribution is not necessary, but obviously desirable. With support, we will be able to continue to organise conferences, bring people together and issue publications. Above all, it will enable us to enable other denominations with weaker financial resources to also participate in the project (see attached document).

We sincerely hope that you are willing to consider our invitation to cooperate. With your involvement, we can strengthen our network, grow the project and – more importantly – connect theory and practice. Together, we can build ways to connect people, promote greater understanding of different points of view and thus find a path of connection and cooperation.

If you would like more information about the project and what your church can contribute, please contact the project managers (for details, see ‘contact’).

In the early beginnings of the project a book on Religious Radicalism was published.

It can be downloaded for free:

Religious Radicalism – Part 1

Religious Radicalism – Part 2

For any inquiries, please contact us at: conference.pretoria@gmail.com