Do religious boundaries support or stifle contemporary definitions of family? How might we re-imagine an inclusive community that welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons? What do biblical interpretations tell us?
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Photographs by local youth inspire new conversations, and a coalition of homeless adults creates a community newsletter—these are just two stories that champion the ingenuity of community engagement. Connect with these artisans of civic life, witness how they create meaning through collaboration, and get inspired to take action in your own neighborhood.
Stereotypes are one of the most destructive examples of limited imagination. Join local young adults as they seek to dispel religious stereotypes and increase interfaith understanding in a creative program of theater, music, video, and moderated dialogue. A clip of a couple being stoned to death in “The Kite Runner” will address the differences between religious and cultural expressions of Islam; a scene from “Angels in America” will address the intersection of Mormonism and sexual identity; and a session on chanting will illuminate the importance of education in understanding religious intent.
Gather on Kurt Vonnegut’s birthday to explore his imaginative theology and hear his humorous riffs on God. Though Vonnegut, an Indianapolis native, was a religious skeptic, he explored the shortcomings of modern day Christianity without disavowing the powerful central message of the historical Jesus.
An interdisciplinary panel will offer both live and virtual audiences the chance to creatively explore the spiritual framework for environmental stewardship.
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The war in Congo—home to vast mineral wealth and the world’s last fully intact tropical rainforests—has killed five million Congolese in a conflict fought over materials that Hoosiers use daily in computers and cell phones. Learn how both native and Congo-born Hoosiers are re-imagining foreign policy and global economics, discover how they are working together to raise awareness, and hear Indiana youth respond to this crisis.
A sacred container for God’s gifts and nature’s bounty, the bountiful bowl calls to us to care for the hungry. Local artists will imagine a world without hunger, creating bountiful bowls with textiles, clay, glass, metal, wood, and mixed media. This event will feature an auction of the bowls, delicious food, entertainment, and a presentation by Indianapolis native and Food Network TV host Marc Summers.
Is doubt good or bad? Brian D. McLaren, author and national religious leader, answers, “Yes!” McLaren describes doubt as “a spiritual drought that forces our roots to go deeper.” Join McLaren when he explores key questions: How do we wrestle with doubt in a time when people are seeking clear solutions to pressing global problems? How can doubt be a doorway to spiritual growth?
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Author, songwriter, and national religious leader Brian D. McLaren along with coach, and consultant Linnea Nilsen Capshaw, invite you to imagine that another world is possible. Take a fresh look at the teachings of Jesus through creative worship stations, original music by Restoration Project, small-group interaction, art and poetry-writing exercises, and multimedia presentations designed to fire our personal and collective imaginations toward solutions for global change.
“Can citizens understand the war in Iraq without knowing something about Islam? Can they truly engage in thoughtful debate about gay marriage or stem cell research without knowing something about the Bible?” The United States is one of the most religious places on earth, but it’s also a nation that knows little about religion. Stephen Prothero, author of the bestseller Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know — And Doesn’t, pinpoints religious illiteracy as one of our most pressing civic problems. Only through understanding the complexity of the world’s religions, including the diversity within Christianity, can we as a nation imaginatively explore solutions and develop a greater understanding to pressing national and global concerns. If Americans come to appreciate religion better, Prothero argues, they will be able to better evaluate the words and actions of those who claim moral authority.
NUVO gives Provocate 2007 Cultural Vision Award
Provocate featured in Indianapolis Monthly
"Award combines film, activism: Festival to recognize social justice of Sept. 11, Congo in discussions,"
Indiana Lawyer April 16, 2008 ... on Provocate's Eric Parker Social Justice Award at the Indianapolis International Film Festival
