Posted: Thursday, October 18, 2012

The University of Evansville’s Department of Religious Life has announced several free, public events related to interfaith dialogue.  

“Religion is fused into our global society on many levels, and the more we learn about the religions of the world, the better equipped we are to engage the people who live in our neighborhoods in positive ways,” said University Chaplain Tamara Gieselman. “The University of Evansville is committed to religious diversity and interfaith dialogue as we continue to serve an interconnected, global society, understanding that the world is as close as our own backyard.”

The first event, “What is My Neighbor Doing? Rituals and Practices of Islam,” will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, October 22 in Wheeler Concert Hall.  The new “What is My Neighbor Doing” series will explore the rituals and practices of living world religions. At this event, several members of the Islamic Society of Evansville will share and demonstrate some of the most important practices in Islam, and answer questions from attendees.

The series continues at 7 p.m. Friday, November 2 in Neu Chapel with “What is My Neighbor Doing? Letting Go of Anger and Disruptive Emotions,” a presentation by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Bardor Tulku Rinpoche.

Finally, in celebration of diversity and giving thanks, a community-wide interfaith worship service will take place in Neu Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, November 4. UE students, faculty, and staff will participate in the service as well as people from the Tri-State area representing the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim communities.

“The theme of thanksgiving transcends all religious differences and encourages us to reflect on our abundance, for which we are stewards, and inspires us to be generous in our giving,” said Gieselman. “Evansville is fortunate to have rich diversity in our population, and bringing folks together to affirm our thankfulness seems appropriate.”

Other recent interfaith initiatives at the University of Evansville have included an interfaith worship service on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the “Who is My Neighbor” panel discussion series, which explored religions including Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.

For more information, please contact the Department of Religious Life at 812-488-2235.

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