Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

Date: October 20, 2015

Time: 6:30 pm  to  8:00 pm

Tuesdays, October 20, 27 and November 3, 6:30-8 pm

Location: Thompson Conference Center, University of Texas, 2405 East Campus Drive, Austin

University of Texas professor Robert Jensen will teach a three-session course on “Religion and Politics: Critical Thinking and Constructive Talking.”  Rejecting the common advice to not talk about religion or politics, this course argues that religion and politics are the most important things to talk about—when we can engage both those we agree and disagree with, which means sharpening our critical thinking skills and improving our capacity for constructive dialogue.

How do people within religious traditions reconcile approaches that vary from conservative literalism to progressive interpretations?  How can religious and secular people identify shared values as well as argue about differences?  How do we square our commitment to democracy with the effects of concentrated wealth in politics?  How do we understand the news media’s role in the process?

University of Texas professor Robert Jensen will teach a three-session course on “Religion and Politics: Critical Thinking and Constructive Talking.”  Rejecting the common advice to not talk about religion or politics, this course argues that religion and politics are the most important things to talk about—when we can engage both those we agree and disagree with, which means sharpening our critical thinking skills and improving our capacity for constructive dialogue.

How do people within religious traditions reconcile approaches that vary from conservative literalism to progressive interpretations?  How can religious and secular people identify shared values as well as argue about differences?  How do we square our commitment to democracy with the effects of concentrated wealth in politics?  How do we understand the news media’s role in the process?

There is a fee for the course. – See more.