Religious views shared at roundtable
Central hosts The Question of God
Dana Lizik
Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: News
The Question of God, which comes from the PBS program of the same title, will be discussed from differing at the Philosophy Roundtable Tuesday in Central's ballroom.
The first half of the roundtable consists of the panelists discussing different issues including religion and its affect on society's environment, followed by audience questions.
"The main purpose [of this discussion] is not to try to convert you to another religion or make you an atheist," Thi Lam, philosophy professor, said.
"It is to encourage you to critically reevaluate your own views, and share them with others."
Lam said that the roundtable will be modeled after the PBS program Question of God?
Judith McNally, the supplemental instructor for Lam's philosophy classes; Ron Titus, a member of the Houston Church of Free Thought; George Murr, contemporary theology co-teacher at St. Luke's United Methodist Church; and David LeMaster, Central English professor, sit on the panel. A.J. Elsner, student and president of the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa, will serve as the moderator.
The panelists each bring their own viewpoints to the discussion pertaining to the ultimate "Question of God?"
LeMaster has participated in several events similar to the roundtable, including acting as moderator in last semester's political debate at the faculty symposium.
LeMaster said his main responsibility as a panelist will be responding to the given questions and avidly participating in the analysis and discussion.
"I consider myself a Christian skeptic, a phrase of my own making, which means I'm a believer, but a skeptical believer," LeMaster said.
"I embrace what Marcus Borg calls the emerging paradigm in religion, which looks at religious belief in an archetypal sense, mixing elements of Joseph Campbell and Carl Gustav Jung."
LeMaster said that when approaching Christianity in this light, science and religion do not contradict. Instead, the interpretation of the Bible becomes more symbolic rather than in a literal manner.
LeMaster co-teaches a contemporary theology class with fellow panel member Murr, gains much of his preparation and knowledge.
"This class is not a typical church class," LeMaster said. "We study the essence and history of world religion and challenge our class members to approach topics in a logical, critical manner."
The roundtable begins at 7 p.m. with refreshments at 6 p.m.
Students are encouraged to attend and tickets will be distributed for proof of attendance, if needed.
"This will be a fascinating discussion," LeMaster said. "We are all obviously curious and interested in God, and you will find a wide variety of opinions to define God."
The first half of the roundtable consists of the panelists discussing different issues including religion and its affect on society's environment, followed by audience questions.
"The main purpose [of this discussion] is not to try to convert you to another religion or make you an atheist," Thi Lam, philosophy professor, said.
"It is to encourage you to critically reevaluate your own views, and share them with others."
Lam said that the roundtable will be modeled after the PBS program Question of God?
Judith McNally, the supplemental instructor for Lam's philosophy classes; Ron Titus, a member of the Houston Church of Free Thought; George Murr, contemporary theology co-teacher at St. Luke's United Methodist Church; and David LeMaster, Central English professor, sit on the panel. A.J. Elsner, student and president of the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa, will serve as the moderator.
The panelists each bring their own viewpoints to the discussion pertaining to the ultimate "Question of God?"
LeMaster has participated in several events similar to the roundtable, including acting as moderator in last semester's political debate at the faculty symposium.
LeMaster said his main responsibility as a panelist will be responding to the given questions and avidly participating in the analysis and discussion.
"I consider myself a Christian skeptic, a phrase of my own making, which means I'm a believer, but a skeptical believer," LeMaster said.
"I embrace what Marcus Borg calls the emerging paradigm in religion, which looks at religious belief in an archetypal sense, mixing elements of Joseph Campbell and Carl Gustav Jung."
LeMaster said that when approaching Christianity in this light, science and religion do not contradict. Instead, the interpretation of the Bible becomes more symbolic rather than in a literal manner.
LeMaster co-teaches a contemporary theology class with fellow panel member Murr, gains much of his preparation and knowledge.
"This class is not a typical church class," LeMaster said. "We study the essence and history of world religion and challenge our class members to approach topics in a logical, critical manner."
The roundtable begins at 7 p.m. with refreshments at 6 p.m.
Students are encouraged to attend and tickets will be distributed for proof of attendance, if needed.
"This will be a fascinating discussion," LeMaster said. "We are all obviously curious and interested in God, and you will find a wide variety of opinions to define God."
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