Faith and reason course to start Nov. 21 at UUSD
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware and Dr. Len Bowman will conduct a three-week course on faith and reason beginning from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the church at 30486 Lewes-Georgtown Highway in Lewes. Course participants will view and then discuss three PBS interviews by award-winning journalist Bill Moyers with creative writers Salman Rushdie, Richard Rodriguez, Sir John Houghton, Margaret Atwood and Martin Amis. Bowman said the course will be particularly insightful because Moyers chose to interview writers rather than theologians or religious leaders. Moyers notes that it is not reason versus faith, but reason and faith.
In the first session, writer Salman Rushdie addresses the challenge of putting questions of faith and morality into words, and the relation of religion and politics.
In the second session Nov. 28, Richard Rodriguez and Sir John Houghton describe how they can be at peace with doubt and belief, and how language changes when speaking of science or of divinity. In the final session Dec. 5, Margaret Atwood and Martin Amis discuss how fundamentalisms are portrayed against the background of a world of many faiths and varying beliefs.
Bowman has taught philosophy and religion for over 40 years, and he currently teaches in the master of liberal arts program of Johns Hopkins University. Bowman's undergraduate major is philosophy. He holds a master's degree in English literature from the University of Detroit, and a PhD in religion and literature from Fordham University.
A one-time $10 donation is requested for the course. Preregistration is encouraged, but not required. UUSD is a welcoming and progressive spiritual community. Proceeds will support UUSD's mission to nurture spiritual growth, embrace diversity, work for justice and strive for a loving world. For more information and directions, go to www.uussd.org or contact Len Bowman at 443-286-3495 or AdultEducation@uussd.org.
