Interfaith Dialogue Topic of Acclaimed Speaker
Differences among religions, values and traditions have pitted nations against each other for thousands of years, with no end in sight. With such a deep-rooted history of disagreement over beliefs, will it ever be possible for world cultures to connect? Jill Carroll, author and acclaimed scholar of religious studies and the humanities at Rice University, says there are deep convictions on which people of any culture can agree.
Carroll will present a lecture on the topic at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, in the William T. Young Library Auditorium. Her speech is free and open to the public and will be followed by a book signing. Her visit is sponsored by the UK Interfaith Dialogue Organization (IDO).
Carroll's book, "A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gülen's Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse," explores subjects such as inherent human value, freedom and responsibility through the progressive ideals of Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen. Gülen's views are presented alongside philosophers of vastly different perspectives, such as Kant and Sartre, to reveal how people of diverse backgrounds can hold certain, core beliefs about humanity.
An open dialogue between people with vastly different worldviews is more important today than ever," says Carroll, the executive director for the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance at Rice University. "Globalization, mass communications and technology have pushed groups together in ways never before experienced in human history, and it is important to develop a capacity to relate on some level with people different from ourselves. There are basic ideas about humanity we can all connect on and rally around, cross culturally."
Gülen has inspired a faith-based civil society movement in Turkey and throughout the world, based on his ideals of democracy, education, global tolerance and an open, interfaith dialogue. Drawing on a Sufi tradition and belief system, Gülen strives to create an Islamic middle ground that integrates scientific knowledge with spiritual values, and Muslim beliefs with modern thought.
"Gülen has championed dialogue as a necessary commitment in the contemporary world, both in his career as a state-authorized preacher in Turkey and as an inspirational scholar and teacher to people throughout the world," says Carroll. "I see great connections between his work and that of some of the great thinkers and philosophers of world intellectual history."
An accomplished public speaker and author, Carroll also writes a column for The Chronicle of Higher Education called "The Adjunct Track," and she hosts a local radio program on tolerance, "Peaceful Coexistence."
"IDO is extremely pleased to bring Dr. Carroll to the UK campus for her only appearance in the state of Kentucky during her southeastern U.S. book tour," said Mehmet Saracoglu, president of IDO. "We are fortunate to have her at UK and hope her lecture will encourage interfaith dialogue among scholars, students and the community at large."
For more information, visit www.dialogueuk.org or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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