Theological Study Group East

DATE: Thursday, November 15
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, IL
RE: The Dialogue Comes of Age: Christian Encounters With Other Traditions

In November, Rev. Ron Graham will present on The Diaologue Comes of Age by John B. Cobb and Ward McAffee.

Synopsis:
Increasingly world religious traditions present a source of religious practices, and even live religious options. How are Christians to relate to these traditions and the neighbors and friends who live by them? This lively and engaging book is a great resource for faithful wrestling with the new realities. Led by theologian John B. Cobb Jr. and historian Ward M. McAfee, the Progressive Christians Uniting has distilled the historical and existential import of both Abrahamic and other traditions and stressed the differences among traditions and the richness they can afford Christian self-understanding.

DATE: Thursday, September 27
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, IL
RE: The Righteous Mind

A link to John Gillham's Paper

Are you conservative or progressive? Ever wonder why people on the other side have such a hard time listening to reason? As we approach the next U.S. Presidential election, the Rev. John Gillham will present on The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt.

Haidt is a social psychologist who attempts to bridge the divide between competing views by opening our minds to the moral intuitions of other people. He believes our society would be better off if reason and intuition interact in healthier ways.

In light of his research, Haidt suggests some guidelines. First, help citizens to develop more sympathetic relationships so that we try to understand one another instead of using reason as a weapon to disarm another point of view. Second, create space for contemplation. Studies show that a couple of minutes spent reflecting on a good argument can actually change a person’s mind. Third, break down the ideological segregation in our society. Increasingly, Americans are living among people who think just like them.

How might Haidt's research and proposals be helpful to congregations and communities in an era of extreme partisanship?