Free: Comparative religion series at Temple Beth El

Temple Beth El, at 5101 Providence Road, invites the public to its 19th Annual Comparative Religion Series. The focus this year is “Politics and Religion: Where is the Line?” Educators and religious leaders representing Judaism, Buddhism, Conservative Protestantism, Liberal Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Islam and Baptist faiths will offer their points of view. During the six week series they’ll be joined by guests who will add journalistic, political and academic assessments to the interactive discussion. The series will take place on consecutive Tuesday evenings from January 26th, 2016, to March 1st, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 8th is a snow date. The series is free and open to the public. Reservations are not necessary.

January 26: U.S. Minority Religions: Jewish, Islamic, and Buddhist perspectives on Religion and Politics

• Rabbi Judy Schindler, Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth El, Reform Jewish perspective and Introduction
• Ryusho Jeffus, Shonin, Myosho-Ji, Wonderful Voice Buddhist Temple, Buddhist perspective
• Imam Atif Chaudry, Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte, Islamic perspective

February 2: Christian Approaches to Religion and Politics: Conservative Protestant, Liberal Protestant, and Roman Catholic Viewpoints

• Dr. David Chadwick, Senior Pastor Forest Hill Church
• Dr. Steve Shoemaker, former Pastor, Myers Park Baptist Church, Baptist perspective
• Sister Rose Marie Tresp, Director of Justice, Sisters of Mercy in Belmont,
  Roman Catholic perspective

February 9: The Vision of the Black Church: Civil Rights to Moral Monday

• Reverend Dr. Rodney Sadler, Associate Professor of Bible at Union Presbyterian Seminary and Associate Pastor, Mount Carmel Baptist Church
• Minister Corine Mack, President Charlotte Mecklenburg NAACP

February 16: Changing Legal Lines Across the Decades: Legal Experts on Religion and Politics

• Jake Sussman, Civil Rights Attorney, Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, PLLC
• Bill Marshall, William Rand Kenan Distinguished Professor of Law, University of North Carolina School of Law
• Greg Wallace, Associate Professor of Law, Campbell University School of Law

February 23: Pews to Polls: The Use of Religion in Politics (Conservative Religious and Liberal Religious Politicians)

• Richard Vinroot, former Mayor, City of Charlotte, 1991-1995
• Ed Williams, former editor, The Charlotte Observer Editorial Pages
• Commissioner Trevor Fuller, Chairman, Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners
• Mayor Jennifer Roberts, current Mayor, City of Charlotte
• Commissioner Pat Cotham, Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners

March 1: How the Pendulum Swings: An Historical Overview on Religion and Politics

• Dr. Bob Whalen, Professor, History Department, Queens University of Charlotte
• Tim Funk, Faith and Religion Reporter, The Charlotte Observer
• Rabbi Jonathan Freirich, Associate Rabbi, Temple Beth El