Join local religious leaders and experts as they address the topic “The Challenge of Civil Discourse: Religious Passion, Extremism and the Problem of Perception” at the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice’s 2014 Interfaith Trialogue Series in February.
Sponsored by OCCJ and funded in part by the Tulsa Library Trust’s Alfred E. Aaronson Lecture Series Endowment, the three-part discussion series is scheduled on Sundays, Feb. 2, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. at varying locations.
Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend, president of Phillips Theological Seminary, will moderate each session. The programs are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.
· Session 1, “The Good,” Feb. 2, 2-4 p.m., Peace Academy, 4620 S. Irvington – Kindness. Empathy. Compassion. When religious passion is channeled by a true believer, it can be a powerful contributor to the common good. Featured speakers are: The Rev. Floyd Schoenhals, retired bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Arkansas-Oklahoma synod; Rabbi Emeritus Charles Sherman, Temple Israel; and Sister Jackie Oyludag, Islamic Society of Tulsa.
· Session 2, “The Bad,” Feb. 9, 2-4 p.m., Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 S. Boston Ave. – There’s a fine line between passion and extremism. That’s where religion becomes angry, triumphant. God loves me more than God loves you. Featured speakers are: The Rev. Floyd Schoenhals, retired bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Arkansas-Oklahoma synod; Rabbi Micah Citrin, Temple Israel; and Imad Enchassi, imam and president of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City.
· Session 3, “The Media,” Feb. 16, 2-4 p.m., Congregation B’Nai Emunah, 17th and Peoria – The trouble is that we can’t always see these things clearly. We rely on the media, but it loves a fight. How can we tell what’s true or false? Featured speakers are: Mike Jones, associate editor, Tulsa World; Yvonne Lewis, news anchor, Tulsa’s Channel 8; and Rich Fisher, general manager, KWGS Public Radio 89.5 FM.
The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice is dedicated to achieving respect and understanding for all people through education, advocacy and dialogue.
The Tulsa Library Trust’s Alfred E. Aaronson Lecture Series Endowment was initiated in 1969 on the occasion of Alfred E. Aaronson’s retirement from the Tulsa City-County Library Commission, the Gilcrease Museum Board and the Tulsa Community Relations Commission. Funds collected in his honor were dedicated to bringing authorities to the community to stimulate thought and action in fields where voids exist and offer other points of view.
For more information about the 2014 Interfaith Trialogue Series, visit www.occjok.org or call 918-583-1361.