Creative Conversations: beliefs shaping action for change
We are very pleased to support and point to think-tank Ekklesia‘s Creative Conversations featuring an array of key public figures.
The exchanges are designed to shed light on how our different convictions and values (religious and non-religious) can shape positive action for change in a globally connected world.
The contributors include a distinguished previous Archbishop of Canterbury, a Muslim activist turned psychotherapist, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, a Christian peace campaigner, prominent Humanist, a Jewish change-maker, a leading religion academic, and an international lawyer.
Creative Conversations: Beliefs shaping action for change is about moving ‘interfaith dialogue’ beyond the quest for mutual respect and towards transformative engagement for change. The series looks at how we can both agree and disagree better, and how to confront the forces that undermine justice and common humanity in the world.
The first of these exchanges is this Thursday, 6th October at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 6.45-8.30pm.
Faith and Resistance to the War on Terror
Moazzem Begg (former Guantanamo Bay detainee and outreach worker with CAGE) in discussion with Chris Cole (director of Drone Wars UK and a Christian peace activist who has gone to prison for his beliefs). Chaired by Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi UK.
Future conversations are as follows:
Is the right to offend sacred?
Thursday 8 December 2016, 6.45-8.30pm
A panel discussion with Anjum Anwar (a Muslim teacher and recent dialogue development officer at Blackburn Cathedral), Prof Tina Beattie (feminist Catholic theologian), Rabbi Sybil Sheridan (writer and Reform rabbi) and Andrew Copson (CEO of the British Humanist Association).
Transforming Christian-Muslim relations
Tuesday 28 February 2017, 6.45-8.30pm
A conversation between Lord Williams of Oystermouth (Master of Magdalene College Cambridge, former Archbishop of Canterbury) and Prof Mona Siddiqui (Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, University of Edinburgh). Chaired by Simon Barrow (director of Ekklesia).
Resetting the Middle East in the direction of hope
Wednesday 24th May 2017, 6.45-8.30pm TO BE CONFIRMED
An international lawyer, ecumenist and political bridge-builder talks with an interfaith practitioner about the personal, political, religious and cultural dimensions of negotiating peace and conflict.
Against hate: challenging Islamophobia and Antisemitism
Friday 7th July 2017, 6.45-8.30pm
Exploring the issues with Salma Yaqoob (Muslim political activist and psychotherapist) and Robert Cohen (Jewish writer, Micah’s Paradigm Shift).
Location: Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2 8EP.
Bookings: via EventBrite. These events are FREE to attend, but we ask you to book in advance. Donations welcome and appreciated.