Religious Studies @ Elon University

Love seeing African Gods, REL1410, shouted out by Elon News Network! Thanks to Dr. Otieno for opening students up to new perspectives, including how African traditions influence beliefs around the world. 🌍📖
Read about other Black history courses at Elon here: www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2026...

Why Maha Shivaratri is one of Hinduism’s holiest nights Observed with fasting, prayer, and night-long vigils, the festival commemorates ancient stories of Shiva and cosmic creation.

National Geographic recently quoted Elon University Professor of Religious Studies Amy Allocco about the Hindu festival Maha Shivaratri.
www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/arti...

Holocaust survivor details family’s escape in Holocaust Remembrance Day event Alexander Silbiger was a young child when Nazi Germany invaded and occupied his home in the Netherlands. On Feb. 12, Silbiger told the story of his family's escape from the country in Elon University'...

We were grateful to host Holocaust survivor Dr. Lex Silbiger at Elon this past week.

"We must open our hearts...."

www.elon.edu/u/news/2026/...

Revelation - Susan Hylen, 2026

Hey pals! There’s a great review of @lhuber.bsky.social ‘s Revelation commentary in this issue. It’s paywalled but I’m happy to send you a pdf if you don’t have access through your library. Just ask me.

Congratulations to Professor of Religious Studies Dr. Pamela Winfield on receiving the inaugural Inclusive Excellence Award. This honor recognizes colleagues who embody the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion through their commitment to uplifting others and building stronger communities.

Geoffrey Claussen authors chapter on Jewish approaches to war The chapter was published in “Judaism in 5 Minutes” (Equinox Publishing)

Geoffrey Claussen, Chair of Elon’s Religious Studies Department, authored a chapter in the new book Judaism in 5 Minutes exploring how Jewish tradition understands war and unpacking centuries of thought, identity, and text in a concise, accessible way. www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Sweetening and Intensification

Congrats to Amy Allocco, Professor of Religious Studies at Elon, who has just published an exciting new book on current trends in Hindu ritual with her collaborator, Xenia Zeiler, in Finland. Thirteen scholars from around the world contributed original research.

sunypress.edu/Books/S/Swee...

Last night, Elon’s Philosophy Department held its annual Reynolds lecture. Andrew Krinks spoke about the connections between religion, capitalism, and a carceral culture to a room packed with students, faculty, and community members. #ElonFaculty #ElonUniversity

CSRI Conference on the Study of Religions of India

Really delighted to announce that the Conference on the Study of Religions of India will meet June 25-28, 2026 at the University of California, Davis. The theme is "Decoration and Adornment." Check out our new website for further information! csri-conference.org. @aarweb.bsky.social

Over 30 students in the Elon School of Health Sciences participated in our annual Bridging Faith and Health training program. This 3-week certificate course prepared Nursing, Physician Assistant, and Physical Therapy students to treat patients of diverse religious backgrounds and practices.

Visiting Reynolds lecturer Andrew Krinks was impressed with Elon’s Multifaith Scholars, who discussed their advanced research projects representing an array of disciplinary approaches with the Nashville scholar/activist. We had a great time!

AAR-SBL Annual Meetings Image

Congratulations to Dr. Allocco, Dr. Huber, and Dr. Winfield on their presentations at the joint annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL)! www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Geoffrey Claussen co-authors chapter on moral character and Jewish philosophy The chapter was published in The Routledge Companion to Jewish Philosophy

Proud of our own Dr. Geoffrey Claussen for co-authoring a chapter on moral character & Jewish philosophy in The Routledge Companion to Jewish Philosophy.
Read More Here:
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...
#ElonUniversity #JewishStudies

Geoffrey Claussen named co-editor of Journal of Jewish Ethics The publication is the preeminent scholarly journal for the study of Jewish ethics

Dr. Geoffrey Claussen was named co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Jewish Ethics! The journal is published biannually by Penn State University Press and publishes outstanding scholarship in Jewish Ethics. Congratulations Dr. Claussen!
Read more here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Peters presents at Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference in UK The religious studies professor presented at a conference in Durham, England

Dr. Peters, Professor of Religious Studies, presented her research, “Balancing Ethics & Advocacy in The Abortion & Religion Study,” at the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Conference in Durham, U.K.! Proud to see Elon scholarship represented on an international stage.
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Last Thursday, faculty and students had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Sarah Imhoff, celebrated Jewish Studies scholar from Indiana University. During the lecture, Dr. Imhoff presented "Can you hear the Shofar? Religion and Disability." Thank you Dr. Imhoff for coming to speak with us!

Brian Pennington publishes study on secularism and Himalayan pilgrimage The article was published in the

Dr. Brian Pennington, Director of Elon’s Center for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society and Professor of Religious Studies, has published “An Elusive Himalayan Secularism: Managing Pilgrimage in Garhwal, 1815–2021” in the International Journal of Hindu Studies.
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Amy Allocco presents new research at the European Conference on South Asian Studies in Germany In a paper focused on musical, ritual and technological innovations among multiple generations of Hindu drummer-priests, Allocco shared findings from her recently completed sabbatical field research i...

Dr. Amy L. Allocco also presented her latest fieldwork on intergenerational innovation among Tamil Hindu drummer-priests at the 28th European Conference on South Asian Studies in Heidelberg. Read more here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Big congrats to Dr. Amy L. Allocco on co-editing a new volume Sweetening and Intensification: Currents Shaping Hindu Practices that explores how Hindu ritual is being transformed across South Asia and the diaspora.
www.elon.edu/.../professo...

We're happy to announce that the deadline for proposals to participate in the Sensorial Cosmologies and Cultural Resistance in Latin America has been extended to Oct. 31. Accommodation and meals covered for accepted participants. See more info here: www.elon.edu/u/academics/...

This school is fighting antisemitism all wrong. Why is it working? Elon University has earned praise for creating a safe campus for Jewish students even as it enables free speech blocked by other universities.

The Forward published this story about the work we do at Elon University to fight antisemitism on the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks today. It’s a comprehensive and fairly balanced picture of one side of our multifaith education efforts.

Read the article here: forward.com/news/antisem...

Exciting start to the 2025–2026 year at Elon!

We’re thrilled to welcome our 2027 Multifaith Scholars to campus. Each scholar is pursuing unique research at the intersections of faith, culture, and society, enriching our community with fresh perspectives and bold ideas.

www.elon.edu/u/academics/...

CSRCS Director Brian Pennington has just published this article about the history of secularism and its role in the management of Hindu temples in the Himalayan regions of North India.

Read the full article here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Book news!

Huge congrats to Dr. Amanda Kleintop on her new book Counting the Cost of Freedom.

It uncovers how white Southerners demanded compensation for enslaved people after the Civil War, and how those claims shaped the 14th Amendment.

Congrats, Dr. Kleintop!

Welcome, @elonreligion.bsky.social!

Magazine of Elon page featuring Rev. Donna Vanhook ’07 - faith leader, civic steward, environmental advocate // Burlington, North Carolina

It is wonderful to see Religious Studies Alum Rev. Donna Vanhook (Elon class of '07) featured in the magazine of Elon. ❤️🤍💛 www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Faculty, staff recognized for excellence in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences The five annual awards celebrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, service-leadership, mentorship and staff in Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences.

Staff Spotlight: Morgan Troxler
Religious Studies Program Assistant, Morgan Troxler, has been recognized for her outstanding work. Thank you for all that you do Morgan!
Read More:
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Pamela Winfield presents research at major international conference on Buddhist art Winfield presented her work,

Dr. Pamela Winfield, professor of Buddhist studies, presented her research paper at a major international conference. Read more about her accomplishments here:
www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Amy Allocco elected treasurer and executive at the International Association for the History of Religions World Congress In addition to being elected as Treasurer, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Multifaith Scholars Program Amy Allocco also presented research and chaired meetings at the 23rd Quinquenn...

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Amy Allocco!
Amy Allocco elected treasurer and executive at the International Association for the History of Religions World Congress.
Read more about Dr. Allocco's recent accomplishments here: www.elon.edu/u/news/2025/...

Musar for a Time of War: Justice, Compassion, Solidarity, and Equanimity ABSTRACT. This article considers how Jewish traditions regarding the virtues of justice, compassion, solidarity, and equanimity may help Jews resist calls to support violence against noncombatants dur...

Prof. Geoffrey Claussen: “As greater numbers of Jews around the world come to doubt the justice and necessity of the ongoing war, there may be hope for the growth of Jewish institutions that will better nurture the commitment to the justice, compassion, and solidarity that all people deserve..."