Posted on Oct 29, 2001

Schenectady, N.Y. (Oct. 26, 2001)
– Theologians from the Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths will examine the connections between religion and violence in a discussion titled “Why Did This Happen? When Religion Prompts Violence” on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in
the Nott Memorial at Union College.

Discussants are Farid Esack and Walter Wink of Auburn Theological Seminary, and Rabbi Matthew Cutler of
Congregation Gates of Heaven. Byron Nichols, Union professor of political
science, will moderate.

The event is free and open to the
public. A reception will follow.

Esack, visiting professor at ATS, is
a Muslim theologian and public figure in the new South Africa. His new book, On Being a Muslim: Finding a Religious Path in the World Today, is used as a core text at more than 100 American colleges and universities in the study of Islam. In 1997, then President Nelson Mandela appointed him Commissioner of Gender Equality.

Wink, professor of Biblical
interpretation at ATS, is a leading Christian Biblical scholar engaged in the study of the Bible at the intersection of faith and life. His recent books are The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millenium and When Powers Fall: Reconciliation in the Healing of Nations. In 1998-90, he was a Peace Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and has previously served several churches as a parish minister.

Cutler was ordained at the Hebrew
Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. He served as
associate rabbi at Temple Shalom in Newton, Mass. He also has served
congregations in Larchmont, N.Y.; Salisbury, N.C.; and Great Neck, N.Y. His is a member of the Capital District Board of Rabbis, and Rabbinic advisor to Union College Hillel.

The event is sponsored by the Capital Region Theological Center, the Union College Campus Protestant Ministry
and the First United Methodist Church of Schenectady in partnership with Auburn Theological Seminary and local congregations.

For calendar listings:

Speaker: Theologians from Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths

Topic: “Why Did This Happen? When Religion Prompts Violence”

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 6

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place:  Nott Memorial, Union College

Cost: Free

Information: 388-6618