Facilitator – Peter Sly
Date and Time – Tuesdays, 10:00 – 12:00noon, April 5, 12, 19, 26
Location – Howard room, Blue Hill Public Library
US Foreign Policy and the Future of the Secular Nation.
As a reaction to Europe’s religious wars, the revolutions in France and the United States embraced separation of church and state. Most nations in the world aspire to this secular model. Today, fundamentalist Islamic, Hindu, Zionist and Christian movements are fighting against the very idea of a secular state. Terror tactics seek to undermine threatening the French laicite and core provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The United States and the UN are conflicted on the issue, supporting some governments with a religious basis (Saudi Arabia, Israel, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vatican) while attacking others (Taliban, Daesh, potentially Iran). As we strive for a “Peace” that might end the “war on terror” how can governments accommodate strong religious revivals in the 21st century?
Registration is available through the Blue Hill Public Library website.
A syllabus will be posted online at this website in early January. Energizer bunnies looking for background readings during the holidays should contact the facilitator at Peter_Sly@msn.com or 460-2321