Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: Features

Religious beliefs come in all shapes and sizes. To many, cows are sacred. [Click to enlarge]

On Wed., March 19 Associated Student Productions (ASP) will present the next installment of the Religion and Spirituality Lecture Series, "Does God Exist?" at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Multi Purpose Room.

The goal of the series is to enhance the understanding of various religions and spiritual practices. Professors from universities around the country are invited to share their advanced knowledge on the topics of Atheism, mysticism, Judaism, Christianity, evolution, Islam and more. Attending the lectures is an opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of their own religion and learn about the history behind many faith-based organizations.

"College is about thinking and new ideas. If that is not happening then students are missing out," said ASP Coordinator Bruce Berkowitz.

The popularity of an ASP religion lecture last year led to the formation of the series, which gained more success with the fall lecture "Science vs. Religion: Is There a Conflict?" where students continued to ask speaker Rabbi Shreibman questions well after the completion of his lecture.

Berkowitz and the ASP team thought a lecture series would be the perfect opportunity to educate students and spark conversations about religion and spirituality on a campus that lacks a Theology major.

"How can you debate or question things when you have no context? Most people need basic information," said Berkowitz.

The "Does God Exist?" lecture features Santa Rosa Junior College Religious Studies Professor, Dr. Eric Thompson. The Northwestern and UC Berkeley alumnus will be reviewing the books "Breaking the Spell", "The God Delusion", "The End of Faith", "God: The Failed Hypothesis" and other recently published works that argue against the existence of a deity. Arguments for and against the existence of a deity will be discussed in historical context presenting background information on each side of the current debate.

On April 16 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union multipurpose room (MPR) the "Sacred Ecology-Spiritual Encounters with the Wilderness" lecture will explore the role nature plays in various cultures and religions. With a primary focus on mysticism, the lecture will chart the wilderness theme in American history, literature, and the personal lives of individuals. Dr. James Preston, Professor of Anthropology and Religious Studies Program Chair at the State University of New York, will be educating students on the topic and answering questions. Dr. Preston has published a variety of books and articles that relate to the topics of psychology, anthropology, and religious studies.

Dr. Henry Shreibman, whose previous lecture on science and religion brought attention to the lecture series, will return to the Student Union MPR at 7 p.m. on May 17. This year he will be discussing the battle for God in the three Abrahamic religions in the "The Different Faces of God: A Battle of Ideas" lecture. Rabbi Shreibman will discuss what all religions have in common as well as why there has been a rise in religious fundamentalism. The veteran speaker will also discuss why different religions are often presented as opposing forces.

Admission to the upcoming lectures in March, April, and May is free.

For more information call the Student Union at 707-664-2382 or visit www.sonoma.edu/as/asp.

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