Daily News

SSAP Symposium: Minors in Minority Religions - Tuesday 17 September

From: Sue Veen

Valid from: Tuesday 23 July 2019 to Tuesday 20 August 2019


The Religion and Society Research Cluster presents a guest lecture by Dr Susan J. Palmer (School of Religious Studies, McGill University) - Minors in Minority Religions: The Delicate Balance between Religious Freedom and the Well-being of the Child.

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Date: Tuesday 17 September
Time: 1.00 - 3.00pm
Location: 03.8.01, Liverpool City campus
RSVP: To Alan Nixon at a.nixon@westernsydney.edu.au

What is happening to children born into so-called 'cults'? Are they captive, abused or free? And what should be done about this situation?

Ever since the spiritual seekers of the 1960s and '70s settled down in new religious communities to raise alternative families, these concerns have been expressed by journalists, social workers and government deputies. While 'hippy' parents voluntarily embraced radical social experiments, their children today are gazing with curiosity at the surrounding world they never chose to reject. Many leave; a few write their memoirs.

The presence of children in these religions challenges basic assumptions about religious freedom. For some, 'religious freedom' means 'freedom from religion'. For others, children have the right to practice their parents' faith.

To learn more about what will be discussed in this symposium, as well as more information about Dr Palmer and her work, please see the attached document.


Attached document: RSRC 2019 Susan Palmer flyer.pdf [62070 bytes] application/pdf