Community Members Invited to Sustained Interfaith Dialogues on Evolution

ANNVILLE, PA (11/09/2015)(readMedia)-- An interfaith dialogue on evolution will take place Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. in Miller Chapel on the Lebanon Valley College campus. Local leaders of communities based in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and atheism have been asked to consider evolutionary science in relationship to their respective faith traditions: How does your faith view evolution? Is evolution compatible with your faith tradition? Does your faith tradition offer alternative explanations for the origin of human life?

After panelists provide initial responses, the topic will be open to all participants for comments and questions. A light pizza lunch will accompany the consideration, scheduled to last approximately one hour.

The dialogue is the third of six sessions scheduled throughout the academic year. Other topics planned for 2015–2016 include the media, sustaining the faith, and the end of society.

The current panel for the six sustained dialogues, now in its fourth consecutive year, will include Rabbi Paula Reimers of Congregation Beth Israel, Jay Deshpande from the Hindu community, Cathryn Smith of Pennsylvania Non-believers, Sister Mary Cronin of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Koray Sekeroglu from Lebanon Valley Mosque, and Shosu Ginny Parkum from the Blue Mountain Lotus Society.

"Does the science of evolution necessarily contradict faith traditions?" asked Rev. Paul Fullmer, chaplain at Lebanon Valley College and organizer of the event. "Such dialogue becomes increasingly important as our society becomes ever more diverse. We don't expect that we will all agree on all points of our discussion, but we do hope to learn from one another."

Sustained Dialogues, which are conducted at colleges and universities across the United States, typically focus on social issues within a particular area such as ethnic background, social status, genders, political affiliations, and religion.

The dialogues at Lebanon Valley College are free and open to the public. Upcoming dialogues will be held in the lobby of Miller Chapel at 11 a.m. on: Jan. 26, Feb. 16, and March 22. Call 717-867-6135 or email nsmith@lvc.edu to register. Additional information regarding Sustained Dialogues and other events at Miller Chapel can be found at www.lvc.edu/spiritual-life/concerts-events.aspx.

About Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College is a private, coeducational college founded in 1866 and dedicated to the liberal arts. The College offers 36 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options, as well as graduate degree programs in athletic training, business administration, music education, physical therapy, and science education.

The College has 1,573 full-time undergraduate students and 106 full-time faculty. Students can choose from more than 90 clubs and organizations, and 12 study abroad programs. LVC awards generous academic scholarships to those whose high school records demonstrate a commitment to challenge and achievement.