SMPT Call for Papers

[_Mike Reed]

Hey Dan. Do you think there is a chance that SMPT would be interested in having me speak on my thesis topic? Not exactly philosophical or theological, but definitely relevant to "Religious Pluralism."

[_CaliforniaKid]

I look forward to the delivery, and I hope Mister Scratch will be able to make it, to support me.

I hope so too! It would be worth the price of admission to get to see the infamous Mister Scartch and the Krispy Kreme King in the same room together!

Hey Dan. Do you think there is a chance that SMPT would be interested in having me speak on my thesis topic? Not exactly philosophical or theological, but definitely relevant to "Religious Pluralism."

Can't hurt to propose it!

[_Gadianton]

We're talking about the annual meeting of a society devoted to philosophy and theology,

It does sound pretty high brow society. I'll wear my best suit.

But good luck. (I may or may not be on the selection committee; I've successfully avoided that duty in the past.)

What does that have to do with anything? Are you saying that if you are on the selection committe, my chances of success would be different than if you aren't?

[_Daniel Peterson]

Hey Dan. Do you think there is a chance that SMPT would be interested in having me speak on my thesis topic? Not exactly philosophical or theological, but definitely relevant to "Religious Pluralism."

I really don't want to promise anything, since I'm not and won't be in a position to deliver, but I think you ought to submit a proposal and see. I think it's quite possible that the referees might be interested.

I hope you will.

[_Daniel Peterson]

But good luck. (I may or may not be on the selection committee; I've successfully avoided that duty in the past.)

What does that have to do with anything? Are you saying that if you are on the selection committe, my chances of success would be different than if you aren't?

Pardon me, but that's a very Scratchian response.

I was simply saying that I wished you good luck, and that all I can do is wish you good luck since I may not even be on the selection committee.

And if I do end up a member of the selection committee, when and if your proposal arrives and it turns out to be a "rebuke" of friends of mine, I'll probably recuse myself. (But, of course, as I indicated, if it simply turns out to be a rebuke of certain people, it will probably be rejected whether I recuse myself or not. With limited time on the program, and with an audience and an organization that are interested in philosophy and theology and that, on the whole, don't care much about the politics of apologetics and counterapologetics, a paper focused on stigmatizing or exposing certain people probably won't stand much of a chance of acceptance.)

Past programs of SMPT conferences and sponsored-sessions are available on line, and will provide at least some idea of the kinds of papers and discussions that have typified our meetings:

http://www.smpt.org/conferences.html

[_Bond James Bond]

I hope so too! It would be worth the price of admission to get to see the infamous Mister Scartch and the Krispy Kreme King in the same room together!

One of them will be in a plexiglass box while the other will be strapped down like Hannibal Lecter [complete with mask]. Close your eyes and imagine which will be where and it will be so. God wills it.

[_Mike Reed]

Hey Dan. Do you think there is a chance that SMPT would be interested in having me speak on my thesis topic? Not exactly philosophical or theological, but definitely relevant to "Religious Pluralism."

I really don't want to promise anything, since I'm not and won't be in a position to deliver, but I think you ought to submit a proposal and see. I think it's quite possible that the referees might be interested.

I hope you will.

I wasn't expecting any promises, of course. I just wasn't sure that my topic was appropriate for a theology and philosophy conference. But after looking at the topics listed on the website, it seems that there wouldn't be any conflict after all--that is, as long as Bushman doesn't mind that my thesis argues against the theory he has proposed.

I do have another question for you, though, if you wouldn't mind Dan. I was also planning to submit a paper proposal to AAR, Material Religion, and/or MHA. Would this be a problem? Would speaking at this conference decrease my chances of having a paper (on the same topic) accepted by these other organizations?

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement.

[_harmony]

Hey Dan. Do you think there is a chance that SMPT would be interested in having me speak on my thesis topic? Not exactly philosophical or theological, but definitely relevant to "Religious Pluralism."

Question: who pay the freight for this? If I go for a conference related to work, my agency pays the freight, even if they aren't the host. If I go to a conference for something other than work, I pay. So... if Dan's paper is accepted, would someone pay his travel expenses, or would he be expected to pay them himself?

[_Daniel Peterson]

I wasn't expecting any promises, of course. I just wasn't sure that my topic was appropriate for a theology and philosophy conference. But after looking at the topics listed on the website, it seems that there wouldn't be any conflict after all--that is, as long as Bushman doesn't mind that my thesis argues against the theory he has proposed.

Richard probably won't be on the selection committee. And, anyway, he's used to the rough and tumble of academic debate. I can't imagine he'd be bothered.

Give it a shot. It can't hurt.

I do have another question for you, though, if you wouldn't mind Dan. I was also planning to submit a paper proposal to AAR, Material Religion, and/or MHA. Would this be a problem? Would speaking at this conference decrease my chances of having a paper (on the same topic) accepted by these other organizations?

I can't imagine that it would have any negative impact. Except that, unless I'm mistaken, SMPT and MHA directly conflict this year -- something that we want to avoid in the future. So, if you're accepted at both, you'll have the happy dilemma of deciding which one you would prefer to present at.

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement.

Sincerely happy to offer it.