Topics
Religion and Medical Ethics at the End of Life - Cynthia Geppert
Advance directives, withdrawal and withholding of treatment, artificial nutrition and hydration—this presentation will explore Judeo-Christian perspectives on modern medical ethics dilemmas involved in end of life care.
Genetics and God: Is There Room for Both? - Cynthia Geppert
An introduction to the major ethical and religious issues related to the genomic revolution in medicine including genetic testing, gene therapy, and eugenics.
Suffering and Evil in World Religions - Cynthia Geppert
How can evil and suffering be reconciled theologically with belief in the Good? An overview of the perspectives the major religious traditions on the problematic existence of suffering and evil.
Heresy and Orthodoxy in Early Christian Thought - Cynthia Geppert
This presentation will discuss the evolution of the core Christian doctrines of the Trinity, Christology, and sin and salvation as they developed through an intellectual struggle with contemporary heresies such as Arianism and Pelagianism.
Warring cousins: a hopeful look at Islamic and Western moralities of war - Hugh Horan
This looks at the basic historical teachings of classical Christianity and classical Islam, and attempts to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each. Suggestions are then made for developing a synergy between these two traditions, one which might enhance the stability of our troubled planet.
Understanding basic differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - Hugh Horan
All developed in the same narrow stretch of real estate, all among speakers of different but related Semitic languages. Judaism and Islam emphasize Torah and Qu’ran in ways similar to Christian emphasis on Jesus; they emphasize correct religious behavior (sharia, halakha) in somewhat the same way that Christianity emphasizes correct religious doctrine. Christianity and Judaism, in addition, have an (as yet) unresolved Mother / Daughter issue.
Zoroaster / Zarathustra and something of his influence on other religions - Hugh Horan
Zoroaster may have been the earliest of the great prophets, and his religion of light has seriously others: light and darkness, symbolism of elemental things like water and fire, a certain dualism, and clear notions of a lasting afterlife, for example. His followers today are few, but their influence remains on us all.
Public Faith: Building strong congregations through community engagement - Richard Wood
Must congregations choose between being thriving faith communities and engaging in the work of justice? How do some congregations (in a variety of faith traditions) combine vibrant spirituality and committed work to build a better world?
Faith and Reason: A layperson's thoughts on religion and science - Richard Wood
Many current controversies pit religious faith against scientific worldviews. Does that way of approaching these controversies represent the best religious or scientific thinking today? |
