Religious Violence: Myth or Global Reality?

Conventional wisdom in the west suggests that religion is to blame for many of the world’s violent conflicts. Theologian and historian William Cavanaugh (pictured) will challenge this assumption by exploring western ideas about religion, secularism, and power to discuss the idea that religion is to blame for many of the world's violent conflicts during a 7 p.m. presentation 26 January in Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis.

The event is presented by the Seminar on Religion and World Civilization at Butler.

Cavanaugh is an associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., where his research and teaching focus on the intersection of violence and religion. He is the author of The Myth of Religious Violence: Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict (2009).

Respondents will be Margaretha Geertsema and Lawrence Gerstein. Geertsema is an assistant professor of journalism at Butler University. Her research draws on studies of globalization, media, culture, sociology, and gender. Gerstein is a professor of psychology at Ball State University and director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Ball State. He is president of the International Tibet Independence Movement.

(Photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

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"Tibet Night" Scheduled for 31 May

The International Tibet Independence Movement will host a "Tibet Night" at 7 p.m. 31 May.

It'll take place at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, and will include Tibetan food, culture, a short movie and "lots of opportunities to talk with others interested in Tibet".

Intended as a fundraiser, the suggested donation is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Reservations, email. For more information, contact Larry Gerstein, president of ITIM.

Tibetan Monks to Construct Sand Mandala of Compassion

The "Creation of Sand Mandala of Compassion" by a group of eight Tibetan monks from Gomang Monastery begins 19 April in Room 115 of University College at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Thursday (19 April): 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony, 2-4:30 p.m., 7:30-9 p.m.
Friday (20 April): 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30-3 p.m., 5-7 p.m.
Sunday (22 April): Noon-3 p.m.
Monday (23 April): 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 1-9 p.m.
Tuesday (24 April): 3-9 p.m.
Wednesday (25 April): 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Closing Ceremony at 3 p.m.

Sponsored by IUPUI: Campus & Community Life, Center on Philanthropy, Democracy Plaza, Department of Anthropology, Department of English, Department of Geography, Department of Philosophy, Department of Sociology, Department of World Languages & Cultures, General Studies Student Council, Indiana Center for Intercultural Communication, Institute for American Thought, International Studies Program, International Tibet Independence Movement, School of Education, SPEA Student Council, and Undergraduate Student Government.

At 7 p.m. Saturday (21 April), the eight monks will present a "Cultural Pageant of Tibet" in the Fellowship Hall of Saint Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, featuring Harmonic Overtone Chanting, Traditional Instruments, Richly Brocaded Costumes, Sacred Dances, Yak Dance, Monastic Debates, and Tibet Slide Show.

The suggested donation for this event: $10 Adults; $7 Students; $5 Children.

It's sponsored by Spiritual Life Center of Saint Luke's United Methodist Church and the International Tibet Independence Movement.
Information, Larry Gerstein, President, International Tibet Independence Movement.