Conference Location:
Fircroft, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6LH
This conference marks the 70th Anniversary of the World Congress of Faiths (WCF) and focuses on the idea of religious and non-religious voices or styles being a cause for good or harm in the contemporary world. How do these voices contribute (or not) to transforming the world in a positive way? Will they help or hinder? Is the secular space a necessity? The conference is open to all those interested in understanding the influence of religion on the future.
Monday 23 October: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm
Speakers: The Revd. Dr. Alan Race, World Congress of Faiths, UK. ‘Setting the Scene’
Mr. Jim Kenney, Executive Director, Interreligious Engagement Project, USA. ‘Cultural Evolution and Religious Change’
Prof. Jonathan Webber, UNESCO Chair for Interfaith Studies,
University of Birmingham, UK. ‘Religious claustrophobia: a contradiction in terms?’
Prof. Gurharpal Singh, Nadir Dinshaw Chair in Interreligious Relations,
University of Birmingham, UK. ‘The Case for Secularism as a Positive Force’
Prof. Perry Schmidt-Leukel, Chair of World Religions for Peace,
University of Glasgow, UK. ‘The Struggle for Peace: can the religions help?’
Dr. Geraldine Smyth, OP, Irish School of Ecumenics ‘Theology in the Way of Transformation: An Irish Perspective
on Peacebuilding’
Prof. John Hick, Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Research in Arts & Social Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK ‘Beyond Dialogue?’
Tuesday 24 October: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Prof. Scott Appleby, University of Notre Dame, USA ‘Understanding Fundamentalism for the First Time’
Costs:
£35
£25 (students)
NB. Meals and accommodation are not included in the registration fee.
However, these are offered at the venue (Fircroft) and you should tick the appropriate boxes on the registration form to book these.
To obtain a registration form, please contact:
Beverley Stubbs, Department of Theology, Elmfield House,
Selly Oak Campus, University of Birmingham, Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6LG.
Tel: 0121 415 8347 Email: b.stubbs.1@bham.ac.uk
You can download the Registration Form from:
http://www.theology.bham.ac.uk/news/events.htm
Rabbi Jackie Tabick will chair a MORAL MAZE debate
Morality without Religion?
7 to 9 PM, Monday, 20 November, at Essex Unitarian Church, Kensington, London W8 4RT.
The Panel will include:
Harminder Singh, one of the leading members of the Sikh community.
Batul Sharif, a young member of the Muslim community and a very clear thinker.
Jay Lakhani from the Hindu community, a regular broadcaster and a great communicator.
And Kishan Manocha a leading member of the Baha'i community.
As witnesses we will be calling upon the expert services of: Andrew Copson of the British Humanist Society and Sir Nicholas Pearsons, a leading psychologists plus members of some of our leading religious traditions.
A great debate is promised. Do join us.
Cost £5 for members of the World Congress of Faiths - £7 for non-members.
The church is located at 116 Palace Gardens Terrace.
Walk east from the Notting Hill Tube Station. At the Czech Embassy, turn right on Palace Gardens Terrace.
Essex Unitarian Church is a modern building 60 yards ahead.
For more details contact Rabbi Jackie Tabick 020 8959 3129 jtabick@lineone.net
