People of different faiths will explore the multifaceted connections between religion, ethics and social justice at a conference being held at Yale 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16. The public is invited to attend the free event, which will be held at William L. Harkness Hall WLH, 100 Wall St.
The conference is sponsored by the Council on Religion and Social Action, a student organization that seeks to spark dialogue among people of different religious faiths and to promote common efforts to improve society. It is cosponsored by Yale Hillel.
It will begin with a panel discussion on the topic: "Why is it important to have a religious, rather than secular, basis for a social conscience?" The Reverend Frederick J. Streets, University chaplain, will moderate the panel, which will include Saifuddin Hasaan, the imam of Masjid Al-Islam in New Haven; Rabbi Samuel Barth, dean of the Academy of Jewish Religion; the Reverend Kevan Hitch, minister at First and Summerfield United Methodist Church; Sister Jo-Ann Marie Veillette, associate chaplain at the St. Thomas More Chapel and Center; Professor Emeritus Howard Garey, faculty adviser of the Baha'i Student Associate at Yale; a representative of the New Haven Zen Center; and others. The panel will be held in Sudler Hall of WLH.
The conference participants will then break into small discussion groups, which will each explore a different theme. These are: "The ethical and historical basis for social justice in different religions," "Religion, social justice and labor struggles," "How and why does religion, often the same religion, produce both liberal and conservative viewpoints on social issues?" and "Is sacrifice a necessary element of service toward others?"
For further information on the Conference on Religion, Ethics and Social Justice, call Marc Jacobson at 436-1115 or Jennifer Mcleod at 436-0316.