91直播 will host a series of free public lectures, focusing on faith and democracy, during the spring semester. Sponsored by the Morrison-Novakovic Center for Faith and Public Policy, all events will begin at 7 p.m. in Myles Center for the Arts.
Lectures scheduled are 鈥淩econciling Religion and Human Rights? An Advocate鈥檚 Experience Grappling Perennial Tensions over Gender Equality鈥 on February 24, 鈥淚nterfaith Appalachia: Faith and Justice in the Mountain State鈥 on March 1, 鈥淩efuge for All? Reflections from Recent American Arrivals鈥 on March 24 and 鈥淔reedom OF or FROM Religion?鈥 on April 7.
鈥淭he Center for Faith and Public Policy is excited to return to in-person events, and we have a dynamic set of speakers this spring, largely organized around the theme of democracy and faith,鈥 said Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy and Director of the Center for Faith and Public Policy Dr. Bryan Wagoner. 鈥淲e are fortunate to have experts join us to discuss some of the great challenges of our time: the connection between religion and human rights, interfaith dialogue and collaboration, asylum and refugee issues, and the complexities of religious freedom.鈥
Allyson McKinney Timm, founder and executive director of in Washington, D.C., will deliver a lecture titled 鈥淩econciling Religion and Human Rights? An Advocate鈥檚 Experience Grappling Perennial Tensions over Gender Equality.鈥 A human rights lawyer, scholar and faith leader, Timm was also the Robert M. Cover-Allard K. Lowenstein Fellow in International Human Rights at Yale Law School.
The 鈥淚nterfaith Appalachia: Faith and Justice in the Mountain State鈥 panel will be comprised of Rabbi Victor Urecki from the B鈥檔ai Jacob Synagogue, Charleston, Ibtesam Barazi of the Islamic Society of West Virginia and 91直播 Benfield-Vick Chaplain Rev. Laura Brekke Wagoner. They will discuss the three themes from their own religious traditions, looking for points of commonality.
Nasser Alsaadun, an Iraqi refugee, and Hager Ahmad, a Sudanese refugee, will present 鈥淩efuge for All? Reflections from Recent American Arrivals鈥 and share their stories of seeking refuge in the United States.
鈥淔reedom OF or FROM Religion?鈥 will feature speaker Charles Watson Jr. of the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC) in Washington, D.C. As the director of education at BJC, his work is focused on expanding the base of support for religious liberty and engaging the next generation of advocates. As a seminary-trained religious liberty advocate and educator, he routinely speaks across the nation.
For additional information on any of the lectures, email Wagoner at wagonerb@dewv.edu.
Allyson McKinney Timm
