National religious scholars will probe difficult questions in a four-day conference centered on “Contested Allegiances: Christianity in an Era of Permanent War” at DePaul University’s Loop and Lincoln Park campuses, Oct. 13 – Oct. 16.

The conference is chiefly sponsored and organized by the university’s Catholic studies program, Center for Church-State Studies and department of religious studies. Organizers of the conference said they felt it imperative to address the shifting demands of allegiance in the wake of the United States’ global war against terrorism and the changing role of religion in the contemporary world.

“The United States today finds itself committed to waging not a single war, but perhaps permanent war, intending, as president George Bush said on September 14, 2001, to ‘rid the world of evil,’” stated Michael Budde, director of DePaul’s Center for Church-State Studies. “In a climate that requires undivided loyalty to the state, the refusal to kill is condemned by national commentators like Michael Kelly of the Washington Post as ‘inescapably and profoundly immoral.’ Our symposium seeks to offer fresh appraisals of crucial questions of loyalty, allegiance and Christianity in our day.”

The conference schedule of topics and presenters is as follows:

Monday, October 13, 7 – 9 p.m., Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Room 120: “Responsibilities Before God: Disciples and Citizens,” Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George; “On Being a Good American: A Christian Meditation,” Stanley M. Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke University School of Divinity.

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7 – 9 p.m., Student Center, Room 120: “Under Authority: Chaplains as Officers and Clergy,” Jerome T. Listecki, former military chaplain and auxiliary bishop of Chicago; “Catholic Higher Education and Just War Doctrine,” Michael J. Baxter, assistant professor of theology, University of Notre Dame. A response to the presentations will be given by Patrick Callahan, DePaul professor of political science.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7 – 9 p.m., Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N. Fremont St.: “The Natural Sciences, Christian Scholars and the Department of Defense,” M. Therese Lysaught, associate professor of religious studies, University of Dayton; “Weight-Bearing Crosses and Trusses: Christian Ethics and Engineering,” Brad Kallenberg, assistant professor of religious studies, University of Dayton. A response to the presentations will be given by Paul Camenisch, DePaul professor of religious studies.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 7 – 9 p.m., Lewis Center Chapel, 25 E. Jackson Blvd.: “A Lawyer’s Allegiances Are Always Contested,” Thomas Shaffer, Robert and Marion Short Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame. A response to Shaffer’s presentation will be given by Mark Weber, DePaul professor of law.

All events of “Contested Allegiances: Christianity in an Era of Permanent War” are free and open to the public. For more information, telephone 773/325-7423 or visit the conference Web site here.