In recent decades, scholars of religion have attempted to shift attention away from belief and doctrine to practices, rituals identities and institutition. This focus has allowed scholars to recognize that “lived religion” is a multilayered and dynamic phenomenon, but it has kept them from examining other ways in which belief remains central to religious practices. By re-examining what it means to believe, this conference explores if and how belief matters.

Discussants include Courtney Bender, Mark C. Taylor, Penny Edgell, Joshua Dubler, Wayne Proudfoot and Zareena Grewal. Co-sponsored by the Religion Graduate Students Association at Columbia University.