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Events announcement: 'Creative Conversations: beliefs shaping action for change'

By Press Office
September 24, 2016

The think-tank Ekklesia and Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in London are delighted to announce a series of Creative Conversations featuring key public figures. These groundbreaking exchanges will shed light on how our different convictions and values (religious and non-religious) can shape positive action for change in a globally connected world.

The contributors include a distinguished previous Archbishop of Canterbury, a Muslim activist turned psychotherapist, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, a Christian peace campaigner, prominent Humanist, a Jewish change-maker, a leading religion academic, and an international lawyer.

Creative Conversations: Beliefs shaping action for change is about moving ‘interfaith dialogue’ beyond the quest for mutual respect and towards transformative engagement for change. The series looks at how we can both agree and disagree better, and how to confront the forces that undermine justice and common humanity in the world.

We will move beyond the 'safe' territory often associated with the terms 'interfaith'. We are also delighted to be receiving the support of Greenbelt in this venture. These particular events are hosted in London, but we are looking to make them available more widely through videocasting. 

The exchanges planned so far are:

* Thursday 6 October 2016, 6.45-8.30pm

Faith and Resistance to the War on Terror

Moazzem Begg (former Guantanamo Bay detainee and outreach worker with CAGE) in discussion with Chris Cole (director of Drone Wars UK and a Christian peace activist who has gone to prison for his beliefs). Chaired by Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi UK.

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/faith-and-resistance-to-the-war-on-terror-tickets-27583255259

* Thursday 8 December 2016, 6.45-8.30pm

Is the right to offend sacred?

A panel discussion with Anjum Anwar (a Muslim teacher and recent dialogue development officer at Blackburn Cathedral), Prof Tina Beattie (feminist Catholic theologian), Rabbi Sybil Sheridan (writer and Reform rabbi) and Andrew Copson (CEO of the British Humanist Association).

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-the-right-to-offend-sacred-tickets-27724507749

* Tuesday 28 February 2017, 6.45-8.30pm

Transforming Christian-Muslim relations

A conversation between Lord Williams of Oystermouth (Master of Magdalene College Cambridge, former Archbishop of Canterbury) and Prof Mona Siddiqui (Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, University of Edinburgh). Chaired by Simon Barrow (director of Ekklesia).

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transforming-christian-muslim-relations-tickets-27724745460

* Wednesday 24th May 2017, 6.45-8.30pm  TO BE CONFIRMED

Resetting the Middle East in the direction of hope

An international lawyer, ecumenist and political bridge-builder talks with an interfaith practitioner about the personal, political, religious and cultural dimensions of negotiating peace and conflict.

* Friday 7th July 2017, 6.45-8.30pm

Against hate: challenging Islamophobia and Antisemitism

Exploring the issues with Salma Yaqoob (Muslim political activist and psychotherapist) and Robert Cohen (Jewish writer, Micah’s Paradigm Shift).

Booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/against-hate-challenging-islamophobia-and-anti-semitism-tickets-27724901928

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Location:  Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2 8EP. www.bloomsbury.org.uk

Bookings: via EventBrite. These events are FREE to attend, but we ask you to book in advance. Donations welcome and appreciated. 

Further information and media: Simon Barrow, Ekklesia – 07850 120413 simonbarrowuk@gmail.com

Although the views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Ekklesia, the article may reflect Ekklesia's values. If you use Ekklesia's news briefings please consider making a donation to sponsor Ekklesia's work here.