Another World is Neccessary: Anarchism, Christianity and the Race from the White House

Two sessions will occur simultaneously throughout the event, except in the case of plenaries. Attendees will be able to choose the sessions they want to participate in during online registration. Please note that a few conference topics are still being developed at this time and are subject to change so check back for updates.

Ensure the event remain's free for all by making a donation.

Friday August 15, 2008

1 pm— Arrival and Settling In
Attendees arrive, get conference materials and settle into their housing situations.

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2 pm — Welcome and Introduction
Welcome and introduction to the theme of this year's conference.

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3 pm — A Foot-washing Service
The foot-washing service is the way in which we declare our allegiance to the way of Jesus, demonstrate our love for one another and set the tone for the dialogue we hope to engage in throughout the conference. The service is open to all who are interested in attending.

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4-5:30 pm — Afternoon Session

Anarchism & Christianity: A Primer
What is anarchism? Can a Christian be anarchist? How can these two concepts fit together? Explore the connections between anarchist ideology and practice, and Christian faith. This session is ideal for people who want to get their feet wet before diving into the weekend.

Christian Anarchism in America
Christian anarchism, while new to some, is not a new phenomenon on this soil. This session will offer an introductory history to the movement within the American context.

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5pm — Breaking Bread Together
Dinner with attendees and speakers.

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6:45-8:15 pm — Evening Plenary

Dorothy Day: Portrait of a Catholic Worker
Details forthcoming...

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8:30 pm — Recreational activities

Details forthcoming...

Saturday August 16, 2008

8 am — Breakfast

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9:15-10:45 am — Morning Sessions

Christianity and the Nation-State
What does it mean to be a "Christian" "nation"? Do these concepts really make sense together? Mark Van Steenwyk editor at Jesus Manifesto will discuss the relationship between the church and nation-state from a "Christarchist" perpective.

Imagining A Stateless World
Although the nation-sate is a relatively new organization in human history, one of the biggest it is still difficult for people to think about what life would be like without it. In fact, even different types of anarchists who believe this way of organizing ourselves have difficulty explaining what we can do instead. In this session, Peter Rohloff will help us explore concrete alternatives to the state.

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11-12:30 pm — Morning Sessions (continued)

Remedying an Unhealthy System of Care
As recent proposals to improve health care access remain entangled with a broken insurance system, people's mind, bodies and spirits long for a better solution. This sesion will challenge current approaches to health care and reorient us to a deeper understanding of caring for ourselves and one another. The session will be co-led by Joel Shuman, professor of Christian ethics and bioethics at Kings College, and Alana L. a member of Rock Dove Collective, a radical community health exchange. Joel will reflect theologically on what it means to do health care when one's primary social identity is Body of Christ and Alana will describe Rock Dove's accessible and anti-oppressive network of health practitioners, which offer physical, mental, sexual, emotional, social and spiritual care from a radical/progressive perspective on well-being.

Session to be determined

--------------- Lunch 12:30 ---------------

2:30-4 pm — Afternoon Sessions

Break-out Time
During the afternoon Break-out Time, participants will have several options to choose from. Information on each of those options is listed below.

Open Forum: Don't see a topic you are interested in on the schedule? During this time attendees can gather into groups based on participant-suggested topics.

Radical Bike Ride: Take a ride around the Columbus area with resident Michael McCoskey. Stops will include visits to places of government, transportation, charity, nature and faith. At each stop a liturgy speaking truth to the powers that work against the kingdom of God will be performed in regards to issues specific to those locations. The riide will be co-organized with fellow bike advocate/christian anarchist/Columbus resident Eric Stetler. Bring your own bike or sign up to borrow one when you register. (Bikes will be loaned on a first-come basis.)

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4:15-5:45 pm — Afternoon Sessions (continued)

Christianity, Anarchism and Black Liberation
Although Christianity has been part of Black people's enslavement, Black Christian theology has been a force in their struggle for freedom. Similarly, anarchism has been a part of the Black community's story — one that persists into the present. In an election where the first Black man is running for presidency, it can reinforce the idea that the greatest hope for Black liberation is a Black president. This session aims to provide an alternative story.

--------------- Dinner 6 pm ---------------

7:15-8:45 pm

An Evening of Prophetic Art
Details forthcoming...