Provocate.org

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.

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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.

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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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We are surrounded by design—objects that come into being through the imagination and effort of engineers. Engineering links the discoveries and theories of scientists with anyone who needs a more effective way to live and work. What types of skill, imagination and ethics are required to envision and build a functional object to be used by a variety of people in a complex world?
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One of the most terrible and terrifying stories from the Bible is Abraham’s near sacrifice of his son Isaac. Such blind and unthinking obedience from Abraham and Isaac, such an assumption of a bloodthirsty and capricious God. We need multiple tellings to make sense of this tale. And then, Provocate asks, what about Wilfred Owen’s telling?

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Larry A. Hickman is the Director of the Center for Dewey Studies and Professor of Philosophy at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has written or edited more than a dozen books about Dewey. 2009 marks Dewey’s 150th birthday, so think of this lecture as a sneak peak at some of the ideas that will be explored next year.

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Eboo Patel, founder the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), an international organization that enables young people to bridge religious traditions to serve humanity, visits Indy. His visit will include candid conversations with area high school students hand-selected by their adult advisers; a presentation to college students interested in religious and philanthropic studies; a breakfast dialogue with interfaith clergy, lay leaders, and religion faculty; and a formal luncheon with business executives and civic leaders. Details to be announced.

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One of the biggest crowds at this year’s World Economic Forum was on Middle East companies’ “corporate social responsibility.” Find out why from Barbara Ibrahim.

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According the Barbara Ibrahim, “Persistent societal problems and wealth creation in the Arab region are driving a new generation of actors to commit their resources for the greater public welfare. Widely known as philanthropy, voluntary contributions to causes that serve a public good are a longstanding and important aspect of cultures in the Arab region. What is of particular interest today is the proliferation of ways in which this private giving is being channeled into new institutional forms. In significant ways, some local philanthropy is becoming more strategic in its aims — by which is meant utilizing resources effectively to address the underlying causes of important social problems.” Sounds like we can learn a few lessons.

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One God, Many Paths celebrates the joy and wisdom that the teachings of Judaism can bring to everyday life. Regardless of your age, religious background, or observance, Amy Lederman’s heartwarming stories can inspire as they provide new insights into love, family, work, relationships, tradition and God.

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