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Keynote speaker
Dr.
Robert Lawrence
Kuhn
Creator and Host, Closer To Truth Chairman, The Kuhn Foundation
What Does It
Mean to Get Closer to Truth?
Abstract:
Closer To Truth:
Cosmos, Consciousness, God—my PBS (public television series)—is a
journey
of exploration to discern best thinking about ultimate truth. I’ve had
the
privilege of speaking at length with over 120 of the world’s leading
physicists,
cosmologists, philosophers and theologians, asking all of them the hard
questions of cosmos, consciousness and God. Born of irremediable passion
for
Big Questions, though with scant hope of finding Absolute Answers, Closer
To Truth pushes long-standing boundaries
and challenges conventional wisdom by seeking progress in discerning
ultimate
truth. This quest, which all human beings of all times share, I take
seriously
and address in two parts. First, the reality of human relations:
recognizing that we differ radically, even violently, in our beliefs and
belief
systems, I ask how should we deal with one another? Second, the reality
of
ultimate existence: I seek a compendium of all possible explanations of
existence, universally exhaustive but not necessarily mutually
exclusive. The
primary questions people pose—Why the universe? Does God exist?—are
important, sure, but they are not bedrock fundamental.
“Why anything at all?” is the ultimate question. Can we get closer to
truth? My
challenge is that I think we can.
More about him
Facilitators
Rev. Dr.
Terry Mathis. Rev. Mathis is the Campus Minister at the University
of California in Riverside. He has nearly ten years he
promoted interfaith activity. Ordained
with the Church of the Brethren, his pastoral expertise includes
counseling and
university outreach. More
about
him…
Dr. Helene Slessarev-Jamir.
Dr. Slessarev-Jamir is the Mildred M.
Hutchinson Professor of Urban Ministries at Claremont School of
Theology. She is currently a member of the Board of
Directors of Sojourners and serves on the UMC's National Committee for
Hispanic/Latino Ministry and its National Immigration Task Force. More
about
her…
Dr. Richard
Rose. Dr. Rose is the Professor
of Religion and Philosophy at University
of La Verne.
He is
also the Director of Christian Education at Christ our Redeemer African
Methodist Episcopal Church in Irvine,
CA. More
about
him…
Dr. Michael Kerze. Dr.
Kerze is a Professor of History and
Religion, Los Angeles Valley College and Santa Monica College. He used to the director of the Herrick Memorial
Chapel and Interfaith
Center at Occidental College
where he developed an innovative interfaith program with students and
the
religious staff. In addition, he is the member of the Los
Angeles Buddhist Catholic Dialogue. More
about
him…
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Introducing speakers
 Dr. Ahmad H Sakr
Dr. Sakr obtained his Ph.D.
from the University
of Illinois in 1966.
While studying in America, he was a founding member and president
of the Muslim Students’ Association of the U.S.A and Canada,
currently known as the Islamic Society of North America (or ISNA), a
mother
organization in North America. Dr. Sakr was
also a founding member of the World Council of Mosques whose
headquarters is in
Makkah. He was the first director and representative of the Muslim World
League
to the U.N. Furthermore, Dr. Sakr is an educator and has taught in
several universities.
In 1973, he was selected as an Outstanding
Educator of
America. He is also an administrator and has served in numerous
capabilities at
various American universities, the last of which was as the Acting
President of
the American Islamic College in Chicago.
In 1976/1977 he was selected as a Community Leader and a Noteworthy
American. Currently, he is the president of the Foundation for
Islamic Knowledge. Director of the Islamic Education Center in Walnut,
California, a member of Operation Safe Community, a member of the Walnut
Interfaith Council in California, and a board member of the Islamic food
and
Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).Dr. Sakr has appeared on ABC’s
“Nightline” as well as
the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In addition, he has made
numerous
radio and television appearances. He has also organized and coordinated
many
national and international conferences. Additionally, he is a well known
writer
and has written a series of books and booklets on Islam, food, health,
behavior, terrorism, fundamentalism, Khutab, and orations.
At last
count, he
had written over forty five (45) books (in English and Arabic) and
booklets not
counting the innumerable articles he has authored. Dr. Sakr’s approach is to
build a bridge of
understanding through commonalities with Muslims and non-Muslims. He
visited Vatican in Rome,
Italy where he
participated in a Dialogue with the Bishops, Cardinals and the Pope.
 Dr. Deborah Roberts & Steve Kinzie
Dr. Deborah Roberts
Campus Minister,
University of La Verne where she directs the Peace Studies
Minor an the Campus Mediation
Center. A member of the
Church of the Brethren, she received a Master’s Degree in Theology from
Bethany
Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Women’s Studies in Religion from
Claremont Graduate University.
She has a special interest in the study of conflict engagement as
spiritual
practice, incorporating feminist and non-Western visions for and
critiques of common
U.S.
mediation practice.
Steve Kerzie
Steve Kinzie currently serves as the Interim
Director of the Learning Enhancement Center
at the University
of La Verne, where he is
also Adjunct Professor of Peace Studies and Writing. He earned a B.A. in
Philosophy
from the American University of Beirut
and an M.A. in Classics from the University
of Washington. A singer
song-writer, he has been playing guitar and five-string banjo since
1960, and for
many years has drawn inspiration for lyrics from the writings and
spirituality
of various world religions.
Panels
Four panels will focus
on
specific questions relating to themes of compassion in daily life. One
panel (Panel 3) will have the opportunity to present a short performance
demonstrating compassion in practice through religious rituals or
ceremonies.
Panel 1
10:30am ~ 12:00pm: Compassion and Youth
Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Terry Mathis, University of California,
Riverside
Panel 2
10:30am ~ 12:00 pm: A Life of Compassion: from Birth to Death
Facilitated by Dr.
Helene Slessarev-Jamir, Claremont School of Theology
Panel 3
1:00pm ~ 2:30pm: Compassion in Practice – Sing, Chant, Dance, Other
Facilitated by Dr.
Richard A. Rose, University of La Verne
Panel 4
3:00pm ~ 4:30pm: Compassion in Charity & Social Work -
Exhibits/Projects
Facilitated by Dr.
Michael Kerze, Professor of History and
Religion, Los Angeles Valley College and Santa Monica College.
Organizers & Contact information
Organizers
Hsilai Friends
(a study group from Hsi Lai Temple) and BudaWest (University
of the West Buddhist Association).
Venue
University of the West
1409N. Walnut Grove Ave Rosemead, CA 91770
The Conference will be held in the Auditorium.
Contact
Jacky Liu 1409N. Walnut Grove Ave Rosemead, CA 91770 Tel: 626-297-5511
Fax: 626-677-5482 Email: hsilaifriends@gmail.com
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