- 2000-01 NEXUS Interfaith Dialogue Series: Faith Perspectives
- Interfaith Prayers for Peace
- Voices of Women in Religion: Our Journeys to Leadership
- Judaism and Culture Lecture Series
- Sacred Sounds: Cultural Diversity and Unity
- Spring 2001 Symposium: Religious/Freedom, Southern Style
- An Evening with Madame F
- Town Hall Forum: Religion and Public Education
- Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Workshop on Religion and Public Education
2000-01 NEXUS Interfaith Dialogue Series: Faith Perspectives
A series of moderated panel discussions among members of diverse religious traditions.
Perspectives on Politics and Religion
October 23, 2000
From your faith's perspective, what is the proper relationship between religion and politics?
Panelists: Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad (Muslim), Professor of Political Science at Hampton University; Bill Aiken (Buddhist), Associate Director of the Soka Gakkai International - USA; Rev. Dr. Steven Fitzgerald (Protestant Christian), Pastor at Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk; Dr. Paula Justice (Quaker), Professor of Communications and Counseling at Old Dominion University; Dr. Michael Panitz (Conservative Jew), Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk; Dr. Peter Prosser (Protestant Christian), Professor of Biblical Studies at Regent University; Patrice Schwermer (Roman Catholic), Justice and Peace Social Minister at St. Pius X in Norfolk. Moderator: Jim Bergdoll, host of "Focus on Faith"
Perspectives on Prayer and Public Religious Expression
November 27, 2000
In your faith tradition, how do you pray (or otherwise communicate with God)? What is the appropriate role of government with respect to sacred rituals and sacred holy days?
Panelists: Hajirah Abdus-Salaam (Muslim), President of Al-Nisa Muslim Women's Organization; Alice Bing (Baha'i), Community Program Manager of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast; Dr. Charles Holman (Protestant Christian), Professor of Divinity at Regent University; Dr. Paula Justice (Quaker), Professor of Communications and Counseling at Old Dominion University; Rabbi Seth Phillips (Jew), Chaplain in the United States Navy; Dr. Craig Wansink (Presbyterian), Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College; Dr. Alok Verma (Hindu), Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University. Moderator: Jim Bergdoll, host of "Focus on Faith."
Non-Christian Perspectives on Life After Death
January 28, 2001
What happens after death? Why? What, if anything, can humans do in this life to affect their afterlife?
Panelists: Alice Bing (Baha'i), Norfolk Supervisor for the Colonial Coast Girl Scouts Council; Lillian Casper "Wolf Song" (Native American), Founding member of the Native American Support Group; Imam Vernon Fareed (Muslim), Imam of Masjid William Salaam in Norfolk; Dr. MIchael Panitz (Conservative Jew), Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk; Dr. Allen Sandler (Buddhist), Professor of Special Education at Old Dominion University, ordained member of the Tiep Hien Buddhist Order; Dr. Lali Singh (Hindu), Volunteer at Chesapeake General Hospital; John Van Auken (ARE), Former director of the Edgar Cayce Organization, Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE). Moderator: Dr. Catharine Cookson, Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at Virginia Wesleyan College.
Perspectives on Race, Ethnicity and Religion
February 25, 2001
Does your faith's practices, prayers, customs, or other sacred duties or gatherings vary according to nationality, race or ethnic group? How does your faith distinguish between "optional" cultural practices and practices which are essential to the faith?
Panelists: Alice Bing (Baha'i), Norfolk Field Supervisor for the Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council; Imam Bernon Fareed (Muslim), Imam of Masjid William Salaam in Norfolk; Rev. Susan Keller (Episcopalian), Rector of Saint Francis Episcopal in Virginia Beach; Dr. Michael Panitz (Conservative Jew), Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk; Rev. "Gel" Angelito Sampson (United Methodist), Pastor of Princess Anne Plaza/Resurrection United Methodist Church. Moderator: John Morison, President of WHRO Public Broadcasting.
Perspectives on Illness and Healing
March 25, 2001
What role does religion or faith (or lack of faith) play in a person's healing process? How does your faith explain why non-believers are sometimes healed while devout believers are not?
Panelists: Alice Bing (Baha'i), Norfolk Field Supervisor for the Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council; Imam Vernon Fareed (Muslim), Imam of Masjid William Salaam in Norfolk; Margie Fuller (Christian Science); Dr. Charles Holman (Protestant Christian), Professor of Divinity at Regent University; Edwin Johnson (ARE), Association for Research and Enlightenment; Dr. Jeremy Stowell (Buddhist), Adult, Adolescent & Child Phychiatry; Dr. Roshan Talreja (Hindu), Physician on staff at Virginia Beach General Hospital. Moderator: Thursa Crittenden Thomas, General Manager at WCTY-TV 48.
Perspectives on the Relationship Between Humans and Their Environment
April 22, 2001
Does your faith have a position on the relationship between humans and the environment? How are we to treat animals, plants and the earth's natural resources? Do animals have souls?
Panelists: Edwin Johnson (ARE), Association for Research and Enlightenment; Dr. Michael Panitz (Conservative Jew), Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk; Dr. Peter Prosser (Protestant Christian), Professor of Divinity at Regent University; Constance Rich (Native American); Dr. Alok Verma (Hindu), Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University. Moderator: Thursa Crittenden Thomas, General Manager of WCTY-TV 48.
Perspectives on Marriage and Sexuality
May 20, 2001
What does your faith teach about equality and the differences between males and females? What is the purpose of marriage? What is a "family"? What is the purpose of human sexuality?
Panelists: Rev. Drema Baker (Wiccan), Leader of Silver Phoenix (British Traditional Wiccan Coven) and Editor of "PagaNet News"; Dr. Terri Colby-Barr (Orthodox Jew), Professional Mediator for Consensus, Inc. in Norfolk; Imam Vernon Fareed (Muslim), Imam of Masjid William Salaam in Norfolk; Dr. Paige Huff (Protestant Christian), Christian Psychotherapy Services of Hampton Roads; Margie Sullivan (Roman Catholic), Minister of Adult Formation at Church of the Holy Family; Rev Marty Luna-Wolff (Protestant Christian), Senior Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church in Norfolk. Moderator: Julie Vaisvil, Program Specialist for The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), Virginia Region.
NEXUS Wrap-Up, Assessment, and Reception
June 17, 2001
Interfaith Prayers for Peace
Prayer, Sacred Readings and Reflection, and Music from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions.
December 17, 2000
Voices of Women in Religion: Our Journeys to Leadership
While women have always undertaken vital informal leadership roles in faith communities, there are a growing number of religious groups in which women have attained official responsibilities as formal leaders. This series of " brown-bag lunch" programs features women who have achieved such leadership goals and each has a fascinating story to tell about her journey. Co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and The Women's Center at Tidewater Community College. This series began in the spring of 2000; see 1999-2000 Programs for details.
September 7, 2000: Kathryn Morton, Reform Jew, Director of Education and Cultural Arts for Temple Israel in Norfolk.
September 21, 2000: Betsy Ashby, Pagan, founder and president of Out of the Dark, Inc., a Pagan Resource Center in the Hampton Roads area.
October 5, 2000: Rev. Susan S. Keller, Episcopalian, Rector at Saint Francis Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach and Director of Program and Education Ministries for the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
October 19, 2000: Hajirah Abdus Salaam, Muslim, President of Al-Nisa Muslim Women's Organization and member of the Muslim American Society.
November 2, 2000: Sally W. Daniel, Unitarian Universalist, president of the Unitarian Church of Norfolk and former Director of Children’s Religious Education.
November 16, 2000: Bishop Barbara M. Amos, Pentecostal, founder and senior pastor of Faith Deliverance Christian Center, Inc., Norfolk, and co-chairperson of the Executive Council of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America.
Voices of Women in Religion: Hear What We Have to Say
November 19, 2000: Panel discussion among all series presenters, moderated by Cathy Lewis of WHRV's "Hear/Say with Cathy Lewis" program and taped for future airing.
Judaism and Culture Lecture Series
This series explores a wide range of interesting points of contact between Judaism and culture. Co-sponsored by the Center and the Virginia Wesleyan Department of Religious Studies.
Funding provided by the Virginia Wesleyan Judaic Studies Endowment.
Music Out of the Ashes: Music from the Terezim Concentration Camp
October 26, 2000
Dr. Laurence Kutler, Head of School at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater.
Judaism and Art History
November 16, 2000
Dr. Joyce Howell, Professor of Art and Curator of Exhibitions, Virginia Wesleyan College.
Mennasseh ben Israel: Jewish Culture and Politics in Early Modern Europe
November 30, 2000
Dr. Michael E. Panitz, Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk.
Sacred Sounds: Cultural Diversity and Unity
An illustrated lecture series led by Dr. Neil Ramsey, Virginia Wesleyan Professor of Sociology, focuses on experiencing sacred songs, chants and rhythmic rituals. Co-sponsored by the Center and the Virginia Wesleyan Center for Sacred Music.
Sacred Sounds from Many Cultures
January 3, 2001
Sacred Sounds of Christianity: A Taxonomy
January 4, 2001
Social Functions of Sacred Sounds: Holy Play, Story Telling and Community Building
January 5, 2001
Symposium: Religious/Freedom, Southern Style
A series exploring the tensions, contradictions, and complexities of the phenomenon of religion in the South and its effects upon individual freedoms and rights.
A collection of essays from the Religious/Freedom, Southern Style symposium is published. For copies, please call the Virginia Wesleyan College Bookstore at 757-455-2103.
Funding provided by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy (VFH).
Cross or Crown
January 30, 2001
A living history interpretation by Colonial Williamsburg's educational interpreters.
An historical re-enactment of the debates leading to passage of the religious freedom provision in the Virginia Declaration of Rights. This program was originally written and performed at Colonial Williamsburg in honor of the signing of the Williamsburg Charter in 1988.
The Southern Way of Religion
February 13, 2001
Dr. John R. Boles, the William Pettus Hobby Professor of History at Rice University.
The origins of evangelical Protestantism in the South and its effect on southern history and culture.
Faith of Our Neighbors: World Religions in Hampton Roads
February 20, 2001
Dr. Craig Wansink, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Virginia Wesleyan College.
Hampton Roads as a case study for understanding change and diversity in Southern Religion; comparing the situation two centuries ago with that of the present time.
James Madison and the Free Exercise of Religion
March 6, 2001
Dr. Robert Alley, Professor of Humanities Emeritus, University of Richmond.
Madison's philosophy of religious freedom and his role in the passage of landmark legal protections for religious freedom in Virginia and the United States. A program in honor of the 250th anniversary of Mr. Madison's birth on March 16, 1751.
Baptized in Blood: The Religion of The Lost Cause
March 20, 2001
Dr. Charles Reagan Wilson, Professor of History and Director of the Center of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi.
An exploration of the southern myth of the Lost Cause after its defeat in the War between the States.
A Century of Jewish Life in the South, 1850 - 1950
March 27, 2001
Dr. Lee Shai Weissbach, Professor of History and Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville.
The Jewish experience in the South, focusing on efforts to retain a distinctive identity and efforts to become integrated into the dominant southern culture.
The Spirit Voice of the Disenfranchised
April 17, 2001
Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Associate Professor of History, Norfolk State University.
An examination of how African Americans in Tidewater used the churches to create a sense of community and an empowering voice, something they were denied outside this domain.
God's Long Summer: Stories of Faith and Civil Rights
April 24, 2001
Dr. Charles Marsh, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia, and Director of the Project for Lived Theology.
A biographical exploration of the foundational and legitimizing role Christianity played on all sides of the violent Civil Rights struggle in Mississippi during the 1964 "Summer of Freedom."
An Evening with Madame F
April 1, 2001
A one-woman show created and performed by musician, actor and playwright Claudia Stevens, exploring the life and death experience of music performance by women in concentration camps, drawing upon survivor accounts. An Evening with Madame F is one of the most honored Holocaust-related presentations before the public, and has been televised by PBS affiliate WCVE and performed by Ms. Stevens in more than eighty cities nationwide. Co-sponsored with the Center and the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
Funding provided by a grant from the Virginia Commission on the Arts.
Town Hall Forum: Religion and Public Education
June 19, 2001
A Special Edition of "HEAR/SAY with Cathy Lewis," on WHRV-FM Public Radio, featuring Dr. Charles Haynes and Oliver Thomas, Esq., authors of Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public Education, published by the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.
Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Workshop on Religion and Public Education
June 19-20, 2001
A workshop for public school teachers, administrators, school board members and PTA members. Topics: Rights, Responsibilities, & Respect: A Civic Framework for Finding Common Ground; A Common Vision for America: The Historical Roots of Religious Liberty; The First Amendment Framework: The Establishment and the Free Exercise Clause; Applying the Principles: Resolving Conflicts over Religion in the Schools; Applying the Principles: The Role of Religion in the Curriculum; A Common Vision for the Common Good: What Needs to be don in Our Community? Workshop led by Dr. Charles Haynes and Oliver Thomas.
Co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at Virginia Wesleyan College and the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University.