- 'Suicide' Attacks and Religion: Psychological, Sociological, and Theological Reflections on New Warfare
- Monotheism and Mythology in Kabbalah
- Election 2004: What's at Stake? Series
- Surviving in Sudan, Surviving in America
- The Question of God: C.S. Lewis, Sigmund Freud, and the Meaning of Life
- NEXUS 2004-05 Interfaith Dialogue Series: When World Views Collide: Can Spirituality and Science Meet in the Search for Truth?
- Naro "Light in the Dark" Film Series
'Suicide' Attacks and Religion: Psychological, Sociological, and Theological Reflections on New Warfare
September 8, 2004
A screening of the 50-minute documentary "Human Weapon", followed by responses from Virginia Wesleyan faculty members Dr. Rita Frank, Professor of Psychology, Dr. Tom Lopez, Professor of Sociology, and Dr. Craig Wansink, Professor of Religious Studies, and discussion.Monotheism and Mythology in Kabbalah
September 13, 2004
Jonathan Dauber, Ph.D., David and Gloria Furman Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Although Kabbalah sometimes is presented as a type of American pop spirituality, its significance within Judaism needs to be seen in light of its origins in the Middle Ages.This program is the Inaugural Lecture for the David and Gloria Furman Chair in Judaic Studies.
Election 2004: What's at Stake?
This lecture/discussion series is dedicated to the legacy and memory of Dr. Catharine Cookson, founding Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Virginia Wesleyan faculty focus on controversial themes relevant to this year's election.
The Religious Culture Wars and Election 2004: What's at Stake?
September 23, 2004
Dr. Ted Vial, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and Dr. Craig Wansink, Professor of Religious Studies.
The War and Election 2004: What's at Stake?
October 7, 2004
Dr. Dan Margolies, Assistant Professor of History.
The Economy and Election 2004: What's at Stake?
October 21, 2004
David Garraty, Professor of Economics.
Surviving in Sudan, Surviving in America
September 23, 2004
A rare chance to meet and talk with eight college-aged members of the media-dubbed "Lost Boys of Sudan." Orphaned and driven from their villages at an early age due to civil war and religious persecution, these young men survived a 2,000-mile journey on foot across Africa and nine years in refugee camps before coming to America to pursue life, liberty, and an education. Share perspectives on the value of freedom and the power of the human spirit to survive, as well as traditional Sudanese drum-playing and dance. Co-sponsored with the Office of Community Service.
The Question of God: C.S. Lewis, Sigmund Freud, and the Meaning of Life
October 3, 2004
Excerpts from the PBS documentary “The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life,” followed by panel discussion. Co-sponsored with WHRO Public Broadcasting for Hampton Roads.
Panelists: Dr. Terry Lindvall, Visiting Professor at Duke University School of Divinity; Dr. Linda Marquardt Mintle, licensed clinical social worker and former Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Eastern Virginia Medical School; Dr. Michael Panitz, Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk and Adjunct Professor of Religion and History at Virginia Wesleyan College; Dr. Theodore Vial, Jr., Batten Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College. Moderator: Cr. Craig Wansink, Batten Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College.
NEXUS 2004-05 Interfaith Dialogue Series, When World Views Collide: Can Spirituality and Science Meet in the Search for Truth?
A series of moderated panel discussions among members of diverse religious traditions who will explore the often-conflicting relationship between science and religion. Panelists have been selected on the basis of both their active faith life and their professional knowledge about the issues.
When Evolution Collides with Creationism
October 18, 2004
What are the fundamental agreements and disagreements between different perspectives on the origins of the universe? Should public educational systems in the United States include scientific perspectives on creation that are supported by the Genesis account? How does the way one reads scripture influence one's perspective on creation?
Panelists: Imam Vernon Fareed, Masjid William Salaam in Norfolk; Dr. Nancy Healy, Sister for Christian Community at The Well Retreat Center; Dr. Jason Lisle, Answers in Genesis spokesman and researcher; Dr. Michael Panitz, Rabbi at Temple Israel in Norfolk; Dr. Paul Ressler, Batten Professor of Biology at Virginia Wesleyan College; Dr. Theodore Vial, Batten Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College. Moderator: Cathy Lewis, host of "Hear/Say with Cathy Lewis" program, WHRV FM public radio.
Creation Astronomy: Viewing the Universe through Biblical Glasses
October 18, 2004
Public lecture
Jason Lisle, Ph.D. (astrophysics), lecturer and researcher for Answers in Genesis
When Rationalism Collides with Mysticism
November 15, 2004
What is mysticism? How does a "mystical view" of the world differ from a "rational view" of the world? What are the strengths and limitations of each perspective? Are there "miracles," and if so, how do we interpret their meaning?
Panelists: Adarsh Deepak, Ph.D. (Hindu), President of Dharma Association of North America; Rabbi Lawrence A. Forman, D.Min., D.D. (Reform Jew), interim Rabbi at Ohef Shalom Temple; Skip Horton-Parker (Protestant Christian), Ph.D. fellow at Regent University Divinity School; Sheikh Iskender Ali Mihr, Ph.D. (Sufi Muslim), founder of Mihr Foundation and the University of Allah; Sister Mary Fran Serafino, M.A. (Roman Catholic), Virginia Institute for Spiritual Direction; Jeffrey B. Spence, D.Min. (United Church of Christ), Executive Director of the Virginia Region of The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ). Moderator: Dr. Michael E. Panitz, Rabbi of Temple Israel, Norfolk.
When Faith Healing Collides with Modern Medicine
February 21, 2005
Is there a mind, body, spirit connection? Where can medicine and faith intersect? Can modern medical treatments be balanced with spiritual healing practices?
Panelists: Hajirah Abdus-Salaam, M.S., Director and Founder of Intelligent, Qualified, Resourceful, Academic Achiever (IQRAA) Academy & Resource Center; James D. Brinkley, Jr., Elder and Associate of Holy Temple Ministry (Pentecostal); Bruce Britton, M.D., Vice President of the mecical staff at Maryview Hospital and Clerkship Director for Family Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School; Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Community Faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Eastern Virginia Medical College; Dilip K. Sarkar, M.D., FACS, RVT, Associate Professor of Surgery at EVMS and founding member of the Hindu Temple of Hampton Roads; Mark Thurston, Ph.D., Director of Academic Affairs at Atlantic University. Moderator: Cathy Lewis, host of "Hear/Say with Cathy Lewis" program on WHRV FM pubic radio.
When Biomedical Ethics Collide with Religious Beliefs
April 18, 2005
Should embryos be used for stem cell research? What if any limitations should be placed on cloning? In a constitutional democracy, what role should religious beliefs play in the creation of laws affecting biomedical issues?
"Biology Basics," introduction by Howard W. Jones, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School. Panelists: Catherine V. Driscoll (Roman Catholic), Virginia Society for Human Life; Jeanette L'amour Hablullah, N.D. (Muslim), wholistic healing practicioner; Michael E. Panitz, Ph.D. (Conservative Jew), Rabbi of Temple Israel, Norfolk; Maynard Schaus, Ph.D. (Lutheran), Associate Professor of Biology, Virginia Wesleyan College; Saileela Venkatesan, M.D. (Hindu), pediatrician with Bayside Pediatrics. Moderator: Cathy Lewis, host of "Hear/Say with Cathy Lewis" program, WHRV FM public radio.
Naro Light in the Dark: Spirituality in Film Series
The Naro Cinema presents a new series of Monday night screenings and discussions of outstanding films encompassing the infinite range of our spiritual experience.
Hosted by area clergy and religious-study professors and moderated by Dr. Bill Jones, Batten Professor of Political Science at Virginia Wesleyan College and Faculty Fellow at the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom.
Films:
September 20: What The Bleep Do We Know?
October 4: Ghandi
October 11: Stairway to Heaven
October 25: Elmer Gantry
November 8: Wild Strawberries
November 22: Song of Bernadette
November 29: Shawshank Redemption
December 6: What Dreams May Come