A Hindu, a Buddhist, a Jew, a Muslim, a Catholic, and a Protestant walk into an auditorium. This is not the start of a bad joke, it’s the makeup of the “Interfaith Panel: Knowledge Across Religions.”
The panel, organized by the division of global diversity, inclusion and intercultural affairs and the office of international student programs and services, will feature clergy members of different faiths to discuss approaches to knowledge and learning, and how religion impacts our daily lives.
The panel will be held, Friday, at 4 p.m., in Landes Auditorium in the Galloway Business Building.
The panel comprises of Imam Mufti Taha Khan, Rabbi Mathew Michaels, non-denominational Pastor Josh Jean, Buddhist Bhante Basnagoda Rahula, Roman Catholic Priest Thomas Phelan, and Hindu Scholar K.C.K. Reddy.
“Each guest speaker will have seven minutes to shed light on how religious scriptures and teachings examine the topic of knowledge acquisition, its importance, and how it impacts their daily life and people around them,” Mustapha Jourdini, director of international student programs, said.
“Most of our students (at Lamar) are Christian or have a Christian religiousbackground. This panel presents an opportunity to students, faculty, and staff to learn about six different perspectives on knowledge, and its impact on self and humanity.”
Non-religious students have much to gain from this panel as well, Jourdini said, adding that religion is often blamed for being the root cause of hatred, destruction and division around the world. He said religion can be a source of peace, unity and human prosperity.
A Q&A session will follow the discussion, and students are encouraged to bring questions.
For more information visit the office of OISPS in Wimberely 117.
Story by Claire Robertson, UP contributor