Oh Yes, it is true, the man who looks West, but Lives South, Is Needing to Head North, to Speak Forth, and if that isn’t confusing enough, he has a gun…and he may just use it…. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ahem, Now that I have focused my attention, after scaring yours, let me say it loud, but also say it clear, the only shots fired will be those of the intellectual kind, as the bullets from this man emanate forth from his brain!

With these bullets soon to fired in Oxford of all places, as this Person seeks to head to a conference where he will deliver… a paper.

See, Please Sir, Can We Have Some More… or concepts to that effect…

I will let the man explain the details for himself (He will make more sense)…

I got some good news today. A few months ago I told you that there was a conference coming up this year that I’d like to take part in. Well, I’ve been chosen to present a paper at Merton College at the University of Oxford, as part of the 18th Conference of the European Society of the Philosophy of Religion.

The only reason I know this is that I bugged them about it. The official notifictions are about to be sent out, so I’m told.

The theme of the conference is Religion in the Public Square, one of my special interests, and the keynote speaker will be Nicholas Wolterstorff. My paper will present an argument that I’ve addressed in other formats, namely the question of whether or not religious convictions and by extension the policies that they might be used to support could meet any standard of “public justification.”

It’s a great opportunity for me. It is a way of getting exactly the right kind of exposure in the international academic arena, and for professional academic roles it’s a great addition to my C.V. It would, in theory, push me one step closer to that elusive big time. There’s one problem. The keynote speaker, as well as the other speakers on the schedule, along with virtually everyone presenting a paper, will be from university departments that provide funding for travel to conferences. I on the other hand am not, and will need to meet the expenses myself. I’ve been crunching the numbers and it’s pretty painful. Flights, conference registration and accommodation will cost around $4,400 New Zealand dollars (using today’s exchange rate, that’s about $3,136.02 US).

You can read about all the details as to how YOU can also help get Glenn to Oxford… HERE!

I really do encourage all those individuals who may reading this post to play some part, particularly if you are visiting from another God-forsaking nation.  Raising funds in a New Zealand Christian context is not easy, so any assistance will be so appreciated, and while you may not have the necessary skills to deliver the deal at Oxford, by contributing, you are playing your part!

Glenn, as a blogging community in New Zealand we will band together and help make it happen.  If we have the grace-empowered will, I am sure He will make the way!

Imagine that… Glenn Peoples at Oxford.  I wonder if anybody else will be doing their Heavy Metal?  MMmm

For the Fame of His Name

Man of Spin