Weekly Recap for Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United StatesFree Weekly Recap of our most viewed and new resources from last week.
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We delved into the topics of Acceptance, Racism, Awakening and Peace.
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Enough With the Progressive Christian Outrage Machine! - Roger Wolsey
“Hope has two beautiful daughters – their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.” St. Augustine
Being at dis-ease with injustice is why progressive Christianity seeks to be engaged in the world in order to transform it. “Accepting what is” may be a generic spiritual value, but moral quietude is not a Christian value.
That said, progressive Christians would do well to be a LOT more discerning about what we choose to be outraged about. Over the past week, the progressive Christian vanguard reacted in hyper-vigilant lock-step as they expressed their collective outcry against the *idea* that conservative Christians in the U.S. were *apparently* in a dither about Starbucks simple red coffee cups for this year’s holiday season. We got hot and bothered, red in the face, and showed-off the twitching veins in our faces to each other — to point out how “we’re not like *those* sorts of Christians!”
Except… by doing so, we proved that we are.
If there’s some truth to the notion that too many conservative evangelical type Christians engage in angry epic adventures in missing the point about what really matters when it comes to following Jesus; if there’s some truth that fundamentalist Christians too often rally their troops to tilt at windmills and charge at imaginary monsters of their own imaginations — the same can be said of us.
We progressive and emerging Christians tend to lead with “I’m not like those sorts of Christians! See how idiotic and wrong they are!” – instead of leading with seeking to be the best ambassadors of Christ and his unconditional love, grace, and compassion as possible.
The viral memes that state “Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate” – was created – for us.
Yes, it is the case that Jesus wasn’t always Mr. Nice Guy and that he did in fact chase some corrupt and exploitive religious folk who were complicit with Roman occupation from the courtyards in the Temple. However, that wasn’t Jesus’ primary m.o.
Jesus spent far more of his time proclaiming and describing the counter-cultural Kingdom/Empire of God and inviting people into a new and better way of seeing and living in the world – than he did bashing the misguided and unhelpful teachings of his rivals.
Those of who follow Jesus – would do well to ponder how Jesus actually spent his time — and do likewise.
It’s a new-agey, but accurate, truism that “that which we put our attention upon is what we manifest.” People who drive cars or motorcycles know this – as our vehicles tend to go in the direction that we’re looking. If we’re busy looking at the idiots who just crashed on the side of the road, or at the clown car that is the current cast of GOP candidates, etc., we’ll likely end up in the ditch too.
As I’ve said before, “A Christian campaign to stamp out sin will always bring about less light and love than a campaign to promote being loving.”
This applies to our tendency to spend so much of our time attacking conservative Christians — in the effort to show the world that “those sorts of Christians don’t represent us!” I suppose there’s a place for some of that, but dammit, too dang many of us spend too dang much of our time and energy blogging about “those idiotic conservatives” than we do promoting the good that we really seek to bring forth in the world.
And quite frankly, I’d like to think that progressive Christianity and emerging Christianity have each been around long enough now that we’ve grown past all of that constant felt need to attack those who formerly oppressed us or our loved ones. Yes, they deserve to be held accountable — but who the hell made us the ones to do that? That’s Jesus’ job – not ours.
To the extent that over 50% of our progressive Christian blogs and/or social media posts are attacks against conservative Christians who say or do stupid things — we are no different than those we think we’re differentiating ourselves from — and the growing agnostic and Spiritual But Not Religious masses end up seeing us all “as the same.”
As a decidedly not Christian, but hugely insightful, philosopher put it, “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.”
Those who follow my blog, The Holy Kiss, will have noticed that I haven’t written much lately. There are many reasons for this, but one of the chief reasons is my realization that I don’t wish to be caught up in the “Progressive Christian Outrage Machine” – and be another Johnny-One-Note whose bread and butter is bashing conservative Christians whenever they do or say things that seem butt-headed, wrong, and/or offensive.
This recent tirade about certain “Christians being up arms about Starbucks’ Holiday cups” proved to be much ado about nothing. It seems that the ONLY conservative Christian who as upset about it was a “pastor” whose primary ministry is posting self-glorifying rants on Youtube. This fellow loves to hear the sound of his baritone blatherings than proclaiming the Gospel. But you know what? The same could be said of progressive Christians who clutter up the blogosphere when we smell blood in the water and go into our feeding frenzies of self-congratulatory moral outrage. That ain’t proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.
In order to not be a hypocrite, (merely criticizing others), I’ll close by saying I commit to following the Way, teachings, and example of Jesus that give life, hope, and renewal to me and to many. I commit to Jesus’ values of compassion; unconditional agape love; mercy; radical hospitality, acceptance, and inclusion; loving-kindness; forgiveness; grace; appreciating God’s creation; loving our enemies; and pursuing restorative justice. I commit to promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ – which I take to be this:
God created the world and the people in it. Life has the potential for real joy and beauty, but due to our free will, humans have a tendency to not act wisely or in our truest best interest. We abuse our free will and oppress and limit ourselves and others. Through the life, teachings, and example of Jesus, God has provided a way for humans to transform from a more reptilian – fear-based – way of living, toward a more trusting, just, and compassionate way of relating to ourselves and others. To the extent that we follow the Way of Jesus, we can know and experience salvation/wholeness. And the good news is that we don’t do it all on our own. God’s grace provides when our efforts can’t — but again to the extent that we allow and receive it. And the Good News is that each day is a new day, a fresh start, and we aren’t defined by or limited by our past.
May we protest well – and may we proclaim even better.
Rev. Roger Wolsey is an ordained United Methodist pastor who directs the Wesley Foundation at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is author of Fish: christianity for people who don’t like christianity
Article Originally Published Here: Patheos
READ ON ...
I Am NOT Black, You are NOT White - Prince EaRichard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince Ea, is an American rapper and activist, known for discussing topics like politics, sociality, environmentalism and life issues.
“I Am NOT Black, You are NOT White – these Labels were Made Up to Divide us.” Prince Ea
Here is his video:
READ ON ...
The Real You - Alan Watts
If you’re ready to wake up, you’re going to wake up and if you’re not ready, you’re going to stay pretending that you’re just “poor little me” … sincere you are ready to wake up. So then, when you’re in the way of waking up and finding out who you really are, what you do is what the whole universe is doing at the place you call here and now. Alan Watts
Weekly Liturgy
Yes, it is the case that Jesus wasn’t always Mr. Nice Guy and that he did in fact chase some corrupt and exploitive religious folk who were complicit with Roman occupation from the courtyards in the Temple. However, that wasn’t Jesus’ primary m.o.
Jesus spent far more of his time proclaiming and describing the counter-cultural Kingdom/Empire of God and inviting people into a new and better way of seeing and living in the world – than he did bashing the misguided and unhelpful teachings of his rivals.
Those of who follow Jesus – would do well to ponder how Jesus actually spent his time — and do likewise.
It’s a new-agey, but accurate, truism that “that which we put our attention upon is what we manifest.” People who drive cars or motorcycles know this – as our vehicles tend to go in the direction that we’re looking. If we’re busy looking at the idiots who just crashed on the side of the road, or at the clown car that is the current cast of GOP candidates, etc., we’ll likely end up in the ditch too.
As I’ve said before, “A Christian campaign to stamp out sin will always bring about less light and love than a campaign to promote being loving.”
This applies to our tendency to spend so much of our time attacking conservative Christians — in the effort to show the world that “those sorts of Christians don’t represent us!” I suppose there’s a place for some of that, but dammit, too dang many of us spend too dang much of our time and energy blogging about “those idiotic conservatives” than we do promoting the good that we really seek to bring forth in the world.
And quite frankly, I’d like to think that progressive Christianity and emerging Christianity have each been around long enough now that we’ve grown past all of that constant felt need to attack those who formerly oppressed us or our loved ones. Yes, they deserve to be held accountable — but who the hell made us the ones to do that? That’s Jesus’ job – not ours.
To the extent that over 50% of our progressive Christian blogs and/or social media posts are attacks against conservative Christians who say or do stupid things — we are no different than those we think we’re differentiating ourselves from — and the growing agnostic and Spiritual But Not Religious masses end up seeing us all “as the same.”
As a decidedly not Christian, but hugely insightful, philosopher put it, “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.”
Those who follow my blog, The Holy Kiss, will have noticed that I haven’t written much lately. There are many reasons for this, but one of the chief reasons is my realization that I don’t wish to be caught up in the “Progressive Christian Outrage Machine” – and be another Johnny-One-Note whose bread and butter is bashing conservative Christians whenever they do or say things that seem butt-headed, wrong, and/or offensive.
This recent tirade about certain “Christians being up arms about Starbucks’ Holiday cups” proved to be much ado about nothing. It seems that the ONLY conservative Christian who as upset about it was a “pastor” whose primary ministry is posting self-glorifying rants on Youtube. This fellow loves to hear the sound of his baritone blatherings than proclaiming the Gospel. But you know what? The same could be said of progressive Christians who clutter up the blogosphere when we smell blood in the water and go into our feeding frenzies of self-congratulatory moral outrage. That ain’t proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.
In order to not be a hypocrite, (merely criticizing others), I’ll close by saying I commit to following the Way, teachings, and example of Jesus that give life, hope, and renewal to me and to many. I commit to Jesus’ values of compassion; unconditional agape love; mercy; radical hospitality, acceptance, and inclusion; loving-kindness; forgiveness; grace; appreciating God’s creation; loving our enemies; and pursuing restorative justice. I commit to promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ – which I take to be this:
God created the world and the people in it. Life has the potential for real joy and beauty, but due to our free will, humans have a tendency to not act wisely or in our truest best interest. We abuse our free will and oppress and limit ourselves and others. Through the life, teachings, and example of Jesus, God has provided a way for humans to transform from a more reptilian – fear-based – way of living, toward a more trusting, just, and compassionate way of relating to ourselves and others. To the extent that we follow the Way of Jesus, we can know and experience salvation/wholeness. And the good news is that we don’t do it all on our own. God’s grace provides when our efforts can’t — but again to the extent that we allow and receive it. And the Good News is that each day is a new day, a fresh start, and we aren’t defined by or limited by our past.
May we protest well – and may we proclaim even better.
Rev. Roger Wolsey is an ordained United Methodist pastor who directs the Wesley Foundation at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is author of Fish: christianity for people who don’t like christianity
Article Originally Published Here: Patheos
READ ON ...
I Am NOT Black, You are NOT White - Prince EaRichard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince Ea, is an American rapper and activist, known for discussing topics like politics, sociality, environmentalism and life issues.
“I Am NOT Black, You are NOT White – these Labels were Made Up to Divide us.” Prince Ea
Here is his video:
The Real You - Alan Watts
If you’re ready to wake up, you’re going to wake up and if you’re not ready, you’re going to stay pretending that you’re just “poor little me” … sincere you are ready to wake up. So then, when you’re in the way of waking up and finding out who you really are, what you do is what the whole universe is doing at the place you call here and now. Alan Watts
Alan Wilson Watts was a British-born American philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Watts proposed that Buddhism could be thought of as a form of psychotherapy and not a religion.
Weekly Liturgy
Week of: November 1, 2015
Peace Making
READ ON ...
Remembrance/Peace Sunday
From the Festive Worship collection by William Wallace
THEME Peace with the past – peace with the present
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION
O God whose will it is that we should live in peace, help us to remember past violence in the spirit of forgiveness but at the same time to learn those lessons which that violence can teach us and to apply these insights to the international, national, communal and individual dimensions of our living.
HYMNS
What can we learn from war? (BL)
Within the shadows of our thinking. (BL)
Our hands O God. (BL)
Repaying force with counter force. (BL)
Deep in the human heart. (BL)
When the picture haunts my mind. (BL)
The meek shall inherit the Earth. (BL)
Holy Spirit as you speak. (BL)
Aid will never save the world. (BL)
My desire for you my friend. (BL)
Recalling all our ancient hurts. (BL)
Help us O Christ
www.methodist.org.nz/resources/hymns/boundlesslife
God of forgiveness.
http://www.methodist.org.nz/resources/hymns/the_mystery_telling
As we give we shall receive
Singing the Sacred Vol 1 2011 World Library Publications
AN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
With compassion we remember all who have died in violent conflict;
civilians and other innocent victims,
servicemen and women,
prisoners of war,
conscientious objectors,
freedom fighters,
peace observers.
We give thanks for all who have laid down their lives for others and pray that we also may discover that sacrifice is one of the paths that lead to wholeness.
We remember
people whose bodies have been mutilated by war, or violated sexually,
people whose minds have become fragmented by violence,
and people whose spirits have become broken by conflict.
May our remembrance of the dead increase our compassion for the living.
We remember the perpetrators of violence,
all who deliberately, unthinkingly or unwillingly
participated in or supported violent action,
all whose minds are so warped that they exalt violence as virtue,
all who regard other groups of people as enemies in whom there is no goodness,
all who are afraid of other political systems, cultures or religious beliefs,
all who consider competition as superior to cooperation.
Almighty God who has made us creatures of passion,
help us to make peace with the violence that lurks within our own psyche.
Give us courage to explore the complexity of our darkness, a willingness to re-experience buried pain and to nurture the love which can redirect our suppressed energies into the cause of justice and peace.
A PARAPHRASE OF PART OF THE PEACE PRAYER OF ST FRANCIS
O loving Christ may I become an instrument of your peace:
Grant that I may learn
To strive but not compete,
To be empowered without seeking to oppress,
To stand tall without looking down on others,
To be aware of my inner wisdom without attempting to inflict it on anyone else.
For it is in letting go that we find peace,
In abandoning arrogance that we find truth
And in taking risks that we find love.
FOCUS FOR ACTION
Text and image © William Livingstone Wallace but available for free use.
Peace Making
f there is to be peace in the world,
there must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
there must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
there must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
there must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
there must be peace in the heart.[Lao-Tse]
Remembrance/Peace Sunday
THEME Peace with the past – peace with the present
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION
If we are unwilling to learn from history, we commit ourselves to reliving the mistakes of our ancestors.
read moreLitany
One: May God the World Maker bless you;
Many: Let us delight in sunlight and starlight and surprises of the turning earth.
read moreMany: Let us delight in sunlight and starlight and surprises of the turning earth.
Remembrance/Peace Sunday
From the Festive Worship collection by William Wallace
THEME Peace with the past – peace with the present
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION
- If we are unwilling to learn from history, we commit ourselves to reliving the mistakes of our ancestors.
- The peace of the land, the peace of the people and the peace of the heart are inextricably intertwined.
- We are the shapers of our own apocalypse.
- What is accomplished by force does not last. What is accomplished by love is eternal.
- Those who seek to enter the depths of spirituality (the Way of God) by use of physical, intellectual or emotional force may succeed in raping the superficial but will never gain access to the divine mysteries.
- We cannot embrace the mystery, we can only allow ourselves to be embraced by it.
- We cannot wait until we have true peace of mind before we start working for peace, nor can we wait until the world is at peace before seeking peace of mind.
- It is better not to remember war if all it does is to reinforce ancient antagonisms.
- To remember war without offering forgiveness to former enemies
- is only to reinforce soul destroying hatred.
- Peace is not just the absence of war – it is being at home with the most
- shadowy parts of our personality, so that we know where our anger is coming from and how to transform it.
- This world will not be a safe place for all human beings until power is in the hands of people who are secure enough to be able to laugh at themselves and the institutions which they control.
- The first step out of violence is to stop viewing oneself, or any part of oneself as an unlovable enemy.
O God whose will it is that we should live in peace, help us to remember past violence in the spirit of forgiveness but at the same time to learn those lessons which that violence can teach us and to apply these insights to the international, national, communal and individual dimensions of our living.
HYMNS
What can we learn from war? (BL)
Within the shadows of our thinking. (BL)
Our hands O God. (BL)
Repaying force with counter force. (BL)
Deep in the human heart. (BL)
When the picture haunts my mind. (BL)
The meek shall inherit the Earth. (BL)
Holy Spirit as you speak. (BL)
Aid will never save the world. (BL)
My desire for you my friend. (BL)
Recalling all our ancient hurts. (BL)
Help us O Christ
www.methodist.org.nz/resources/hymns/boundlesslife
God of forgiveness.
http://www.methodist.org.nz/resources/hymns/the_mystery_telling
As we give we shall receive
Singing the Sacred Vol 1 2011 World Library Publications
AN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
With compassion we remember all who have died in violent conflict;
civilians and other innocent victims,
servicemen and women,
prisoners of war,
conscientious objectors,
freedom fighters,
peace observers.
We give thanks for all who have laid down their lives for others and pray that we also may discover that sacrifice is one of the paths that lead to wholeness.
We remember
people whose bodies have been mutilated by war, or violated sexually,
people whose minds have become fragmented by violence,
and people whose spirits have become broken by conflict.
May our remembrance of the dead increase our compassion for the living.
We remember the perpetrators of violence,
all who deliberately, unthinkingly or unwillingly
participated in or supported violent action,
all whose minds are so warped that they exalt violence as virtue,
all who regard other groups of people as enemies in whom there is no goodness,
all who are afraid of other political systems, cultures or religious beliefs,
all who consider competition as superior to cooperation.
Almighty God who has made us creatures of passion,
help us to make peace with the violence that lurks within our own psyche.
Give us courage to explore the complexity of our darkness, a willingness to re-experience buried pain and to nurture the love which can redirect our suppressed energies into the cause of justice and peace.
A PARAPHRASE OF PART OF THE PEACE PRAYER OF ST FRANCIS
O loving Christ may I become an instrument of your peace:
Grant that I may learn
To strive but not compete,
To be empowered without seeking to oppress,
To stand tall without looking down on others,
To be aware of my inner wisdom without attempting to inflict it on anyone else.
For it is in letting go that we find peace,
In abandoning arrogance that we find truth
And in taking risks that we find love.
FOCUS FOR ACTION
- What are some of the ways in which we and our ancestors have been both the oppressed and the oppressors, the victims and the manipulators?
- What lessons can we learn from this and what steps can we take to help ensure that history does not simply repeat itself?
- What are some of the misleading labels in our mind or in our society which prevent us from discerning that all political systems, all economic ideologies, all organizations and all individuals consist of a complex mixture of good and bad, oppressive and liberating forces?
Text and image © William Livingstone Wallace but available for free use.
---------------------
Gaining Peace by Richard Holdsworth
I grow
Faith in forgiveness
When willing
We know
More of ourselves
If we share
Love gets released in serving
With unselective care
Peace comes gently gaining
On the breath of a silent prayer
Gaining Peace by Richard Holdsworth
I grow
Faith in forgiveness
When willing
We know
More of ourselves
If we share
Love gets released in serving
With unselective care
Peace comes gently gaining
On the breath of a silent prayer
---------------------
Litany by Dawn Grace Peters on October 31, 2015One: May God the World Maker bless you;
Many: Let us delight in sunlight and starlight and surprises of the turning earth.
One: May Jesus the Peace Maker bless you;
Many: Let us celebrate Life as it is found in this community, in all its struggles and joys.
One: May Spirit the Journey Maker bless you;
Many: Let us walk with saints and angels in the wisdom and wildness of Love.
Amen.
---------------------
“Thanks so much for all your efforts in helping to make Christianity a way for even thinking people to pursue their spiritual journeys. Your material is insightful, thought-provoking and inspiring. Keep up the good work.” ~Bruce
We are entirely reader supported. Donate today and positivehange lives around the world!
Events and Updates
Westar Fall 2015 Meeting- Taking the Scholarship of Religion Public
If we are ever to resolve competing ideas of God across Western religions, must we abandon the Jesus of history?
Westar Fall 2015 Meeting- Taking the Scholarship of Religion Public
Fall 2015 Meeting
Atlanta, GeorgiaIf we are ever to resolve competing ideas of God across Western religions, must we abandon the Jesus of history?
How might the primary lenses commonly used to bring the Bible into focus help us wrestle with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race?
Can one imagine a scenario in which Judaism and Christianity did not develop into separate traditions?
How might atheism be employed strategically to force theologians to confront their own assumptions?
Join Harvey Cox, Jack Miles and scholars of the Christianity Seminar and the Seminar on God and the Human Future in an uncensored, cutting-edge exploration of these and other radical historical and theological questions!
Pre-register by June 22 for best ratesProgram
Westar Public Lectures
Harvey Cox, How to Read the Bible
Jack Miles, If Jesus is God, what God is he?
Westar Academic Seminars
Christianity Seminar
Seminar on God and the Human Future
Public Forum on Westar Seminars (Associates Forum)
AAR/SBL Program Highlights
Young Leaders in Religion Forum
Westar Public Lectures
Harvey G. Cox, Jr.
How to Read the Bible
Many intelligent people do not know how to read the collection of songs, prayers, history, legend, annals, parables, poetry, and other genres we call the Bible. Though the Bible remains the world’s bestseller—frequently quoted, misquoted, interpreted and misinterpreted—it’s hard to know how many people actually read it. What is clear is that many who do find it frustrating and bewildering. And they often revert to an unreflective literal reading. Harvey Cox observes that the more educated one becomes, the less likely that is. He will explore the primary lenses—literary, historical, and practical—commonly used to bring the Bible into focus, revealing its rich diversity and meaning, and offering a contemporary activist version that wrestles with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race.
Harvey G. Cox, Jr. is Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard University. Described by Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the Church’s most creative thinkers, he is a prolific author, renowned scholar, and revered teacher whose course on God and Money was the most subscribed at Harvard Divinity School in fall 2014. His many books include Secular City(1965), selected by the University of Marburg as one of the most influential books of Protestant theology in the twentieth century, How to Read the Bible (2014), The Future of Faith (2009), and When Jesus Came to Harvard (2004). In 2014, he received the Yale University Alumni Award for Distinction in Theological Education.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
10:30–11:30
Jack Miles
If Jesus is God, what God is he?
After 9/11/2001, certain fundamentalist Christians denied that the Allah of the Qur’an could be equated with the God of the Bible. Nineteen hundred years earlier, as the biblical canons were coming into being, Marcion of Sinope denied that the God of the Jewish Scriptures could be equated with the God of Jesus Christ. The nascent church rejected Marcion’s own rejection of what became the Old Testament as well as much of what became the New Testament. Later Christianity, however, has never come to terms with his reasoning—namely, that the character of the deity is so different in these two scriptures as to be incompatible. Jack Miles will explore how we might address that disparity today, though doing so, he warns, must entail a kind of farewell to the Jesus of history.
Jack Miles (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Distinguished Professor of English and Religious Studies with the University of California at Irvine and Senior Fellow for Religious Affairs with the Pacific Council on International Policy. A writer and editor whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe, Miles is the author of several books, including GOD: A Biography, winner of a Pulitzer Prize in 1996, and Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God, which led to his being named a MacArthur Fellow for the years 2003–2007. Most recently he served as the general editor of the Norton Anthology of World Religions (2014).
Sunday, November 22, 2015
1–3:30
Westar Academic Seminars
Litany by Dawn Grace Peters on October 31, 2015One: May God the World Maker bless you;
Many: Let us delight in sunlight and starlight and surprises of the turning earth.
One: May Jesus the Peace Maker bless you;
Many: Let us celebrate Life as it is found in this community, in all its struggles and joys.
One: May Spirit the Journey Maker bless you;
Many: Let us walk with saints and angels in the wisdom and wildness of Love.
Amen.
---------------------
“Thanks so much for all your efforts in helping to make Christianity a way for even thinking people to pursue their spiritual journeys. Your material is insightful, thought-provoking and inspiring. Keep up the good work.” ~Bruce
We are entirely reader supported. Donate today and positivehange lives around the world!
Events and Updates
Westar Fall 2015 Meeting- Taking the Scholarship of Religion Public
If we are ever to resolve competing ideas of God across Western religions, must we abandon the Jesus of history?
Westar Fall 2015 Meeting- Taking the Scholarship of Religion Public
Fall 2015 Meeting
Atlanta, GeorgiaIf we are ever to resolve competing ideas of God across Western religions, must we abandon the Jesus of history?
How might the primary lenses commonly used to bring the Bible into focus help us wrestle with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race?
Can one imagine a scenario in which Judaism and Christianity did not develop into separate traditions?
How might atheism be employed strategically to force theologians to confront their own assumptions?
Join Harvey Cox, Jack Miles and scholars of the Christianity Seminar and the Seminar on God and the Human Future in an uncensored, cutting-edge exploration of these and other radical historical and theological questions!
Pre-register by June 22 for best ratesProgram
Westar Public Lectures
Harvey Cox, How to Read the Bible
Jack Miles, If Jesus is God, what God is he?
Westar Academic Seminars
Christianity Seminar
Seminar on God and the Human Future
Public Forum on Westar Seminars (Associates Forum)
AAR/SBL Program Highlights
Young Leaders in Religion Forum
Westar Public Lectures
Harvey G. Cox, Jr.
How to Read the Bible
Many intelligent people do not know how to read the collection of songs, prayers, history, legend, annals, parables, poetry, and other genres we call the Bible. Though the Bible remains the world’s bestseller—frequently quoted, misquoted, interpreted and misinterpreted—it’s hard to know how many people actually read it. What is clear is that many who do find it frustrating and bewildering. And they often revert to an unreflective literal reading. Harvey Cox observes that the more educated one becomes, the less likely that is. He will explore the primary lenses—literary, historical, and practical—commonly used to bring the Bible into focus, revealing its rich diversity and meaning, and offering a contemporary activist version that wrestles with issues of feminism, war, homosexuality, and race.
Harvey G. Cox, Jr. is Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard University. Described by Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of the Church’s most creative thinkers, he is a prolific author, renowned scholar, and revered teacher whose course on God and Money was the most subscribed at Harvard Divinity School in fall 2014. His many books include Secular City(1965), selected by the University of Marburg as one of the most influential books of Protestant theology in the twentieth century, How to Read the Bible (2014), The Future of Faith (2009), and When Jesus Came to Harvard (2004). In 2014, he received the Yale University Alumni Award for Distinction in Theological Education.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
10:30–11:30
Jack Miles
If Jesus is God, what God is he?
After 9/11/2001, certain fundamentalist Christians denied that the Allah of the Qur’an could be equated with the God of the Bible. Nineteen hundred years earlier, as the biblical canons were coming into being, Marcion of Sinope denied that the God of the Jewish Scriptures could be equated with the God of Jesus Christ. The nascent church rejected Marcion’s own rejection of what became the Old Testament as well as much of what became the New Testament. Later Christianity, however, has never come to terms with his reasoning—namely, that the character of the deity is so different in these two scriptures as to be incompatible. Jack Miles will explore how we might address that disparity today, though doing so, he warns, must entail a kind of farewell to the Jesus of history.
Jack Miles (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Distinguished Professor of English and Religious Studies with the University of California at Irvine and Senior Fellow for Religious Affairs with the Pacific Council on International Policy. A writer and editor whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe, Miles is the author of several books, including GOD: A Biography, winner of a Pulitzer Prize in 1996, and Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God, which led to his being named a MacArthur Fellow for the years 2003–2007. Most recently he served as the general editor of the Norton Anthology of World Religions (2014).
Sunday, November 22, 2015
1–3:30
Westar Academic Seminars
The Two Jewish Wars and the Emergence of Christianity
The Christianity Seminar will address the impact of the bar Kokhba revolt of 132–135 CE. Inasmuch as scholars focus on the catastrophe of the First Jewish War of 70 CE, equal attention needs to be placed on the bar Kokhba revolt as perhaps the pivotal moment in the formation of post-temple Judaism and the rise of Christianity. Scholars will examine the significance of this revolt and its devastation by asking questions about (1) how the causes of the revolution that briefly established an independent Jewish state impacted Judaism and Christianity, (2) how it defined the future of Judaism as much as Christianity, and (3) if there might have been a different Christianity if the two traditions had not consequently separated.
1–2:45, 3:15–5, 6:30–8 PM
The Christianity Seminar will address the impact of the bar Kokhba revolt of 132–135 CE. Inasmuch as scholars focus on the catastrophe of the First Jewish War of 70 CE, equal attention needs to be placed on the bar Kokhba revolt as perhaps the pivotal moment in the formation of post-temple Judaism and the rise of Christianity. Scholars will examine the significance of this revolt and its devastation by asking questions about (1) how the causes of the revolution that briefly established an independent Jewish state impacted Judaism and Christianity, (2) how it defined the future of Judaism as much as Christianity, and (3) if there might have been a different Christianity if the two traditions had not consequently separated.
- How and why did the Jewish tradition after 70 CE begin to fragment into rabbinic Judaism and various Jesus movements?
- What was the significance of the Jewish revolts in 66 and 130 CE to the emergence of Christianity?
- What were the factors or reasons that led to the separation of Christianity from its mother religion Judaism? When were communities aware that the separation had taken place?
- Can one imagine a scenario in which Judaism and Christianity did not develop into separate traditions?
1–2:45, 3:15–5, 6:30–8 PM
The Radical Tillich
Reclaiming a Strategic AtheismThe Seminar on God and the Human Future will honor the 50th anniversary of Paul Tillich’s death with the vanguard topic, “The Radical Tillich: Reclaiming a Strategic Atheism.” Historically “atheism” is the rejection of belief in a (or any) transcendental being. But it is not often noticed that “atheism” has another, radical sense, which is to undermine the assumptions of human knowledge and to push even theology and philosophical forms of religion to new frontiers of thought. In many ways, there cannot be breakthroughs in knowledge without “atheism” working at the edge of accepted norms. Some of the greatest philosophers of human history, including Socrates and Jesus of Nazareth, were accused of atheism in their time.
9–11:30 AM, 1–3:30 PM
Public Forum on Westar Seminars (Associates Forum)
9–10 AM
Seminar PapersThe Seminar Papers, which will become available in November, are the basis for the discussions in the Friday and Saturday sessions. They will not be presented orally at the event. Persons wishing to follow the discussions should read the papers in advance.
Electronic copies of the Seminar Papers are available to the public and will be posted when they come available, usually 2 to 3 weeks prior to the event. Hard copies of the papers will be available at a cost of $25 each.
Read online – Check for availability in November
Order hard copies of seminar papers
AAR/SBL Program HighlightsA full Westar registration grants access to all AAR and SBL sessions—a practically inexhaustible smorgasbord of topics related to the study of religion—as well as to trips to local tourist attractions, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Preliminary information about the AAR/SBL sessions, including session descriptions, locations and times, is not yet available. Check back soon for links to both programs. Copies of the print program will be available for pickup at the meeting.
Schedule
Friday, November 20
1–2:45 pm
Session 1, Christianity Seminar
3:15–5 pm
Session 2, Christianity Seminar
5–6:30
Meal break
6:30–8 pm
Session 3, Christianity Seminar
Saturday, November 21
9–11:30 am
Session 1, Seminar on God and the Human Future
11:30–1
Meal break
1–3:30 pm
Session 2, Seminar on God and the Human Future
8:30–10 pm
SBL Reception
Sunday, November 22
9–10, 10:30–11:30 am
Morning lecture (TBA)
11:30 am–1 pm
Meal break
1–2, 2:30–3:30 pm
Afternoon lecture (TBA)
Dates & Deadlines At-a-Glance
Not a Westar member? You can add a Westar membership ($45) to your registration and register at the member price. Westar members receive a subscription to The Fourth R magazine (6 issues annually), discounts on national meeting registration, and 20% off Polebridge books & media. Learn more.
Already registered for the AAR/SBL meeting? Your AAR/SBL registration lets you attend Westar academic seminars. It does not, however, give you access to Westar public lectures. To sign up for the public lectures, see option 2 below.
Westar Fellows who registered through AAR/SBL may join in Westar academic seminars at no additional charge. But, in order to estimate how many places to set at the seminar table, we need you to fill out the Westar online registration form. Clicking on three boxes—(1) I have registered thru AAR/SBL, (2) I am an academic, and (3) I am a Westar Fellow—will let you tell us in which seminars you plan to participate. This is for planning purposes only.
Option 1Register for full Westar Meeting
For a full meeting registration plus the option to register a partner for the full meeting or just for one/both public lectures, choose Option 1. A Westar full meeting registration gives registrants—including Fellows—full access to the Westar meeting, including academic seminars and public lectures, and full access to the AAR/SBL program, including the exhibits and the reception, as well as to the convention hotel room block. This is an all inclusive registration.
Upon completion of your Westar registration, you will receive instructions for completing your AAR/SBL registration (at no additional cost) and gaining access to hotels. Learn about hotel options.
Members Non-membersEarly Bird Registration (By June 22) $160 $200
Pre-registration (By Aug 17) $180 $220
Registration (By Nov 17) $210 $250
Option 2Sign up for public lectures only
Those who do not wish to attend Westar academic seminars, the AAR or SBL programs, and who do not want access to the hotel room block, may sign up just for Westar public lecture(s) on Sunday, November 22nd. Lecture attendees can pick up a day pass to the exhibit hall at the event.
Members Non-membersPublic Forum on Westar Seminars (Associates Forum) $10 $20
Harvey Cox $20 $20
Jack Miles $40 $40
Admission is available at the door for public lectures only.
Meeting LocationAll Westar events, along with Registration and the Exhibit Hall, will take place at:
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Embassy Hall Ballroom
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 30303
A name badge, which comes with a full registration only, will be required to access the Exhibit Hall and all sessions, except the Westar public lectures. If you are attending public lectures only, please come straight to the Embassy Hall Ballroom. Lecture attendees can pick up a day pass to the Exhibit Hall on site.
AccessibilityWestar members with disabilities or any attendees who may have difficulty getting around the meeting are encouraged to note this during registration. View the AAR’s Accessibility Information Page. You can also get information directly from the Hyatt Regency Accessibility page.
Seminar PapersFor more information about seminar papers, including when they come available and how to order hard copies, click here.
Registration cut-off date & refunds
Full registrations must be received at the Westar office no later than Tuesday, November 17. Walk-on registration is available for public lectures only. Refunds are available if requested by November 1, minus a $40 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after that date.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available on request. Attendance at Westar events qualifies for CEUs for clergy and other educators. Full attendance at Westar’s Spring or Fall semiannual meetings earns 2 CEUs (.5 per day). Please notify us of your interest when you register, or fill out the CEU request form. During the event, applicants will be asked to check in with a Westar staff member each day on arrival and departure. A certificate will be sent immediately following the event. Please call 503-375-5323 with any questions.
Young Leaders in ReligionHelping clergy and other leaders ages 20 to 45 to translate and transform religion scholarship into meaningful forms for their communities
Westar Institute is forming a new Young Leaders in Religion Forum. If you are between the ages of 20 and 45, and are a trained religious leader in church, arts, chaplaincy, non-profit, social advocacy, new faith community or social service work, we invite you to join this new solidarity network, which launched at Westar’s national meeting in Santa Rosa, March 18–21, 2015. At that time participants came together to raise and address issues, challenges, and goals, and to identify leaders to help shape the future of Young Leaders in Religion at Westar. The Fall 2015 Meeting will continue that important work. Check back soon for more details on the Fall 2015 schedule and program.
Westar is actively seeking interested members for this new forum. If you feel you or someone you know would be a good candidate for this program, please contact academic director David Galston for more information: dgalston@westarinstitute.org
Young Leaders in Religion should not use the regular registration form to sign up for the Fall 2015 forum. Please wait for instructions from the Young Leaders in Religion program committee.
Full Registration ResourcesExhibit Hall
The Polebridge Press bookstore will be located in the Exhibit Hall at Booth #1509, along with approximately 150 other publishers featuring books on a wide spectrum of subjects from religious studies to hermeneutics to philosophy, often at deep discounts on cover price. A name badge, which you receive with a full registration only, is required to access the exhibits. Lecture attendees can pick up a day pass at the event for access to the Exhibit Hall Sunday only.
Exhibit Hall Hours:
Hotel OptionsAAR/SBL has negotiated special conference rates at twelve luxurious and convenient hotels for meeting attendees. Please note that you can only get the special conference rate by booking a full Westar registration (which includes an AAR/SBL registration). Hotel conference discounts expire 10/31/2015, though some hotels may honor conference rates after that date at their discretion. Hotel room rates do not include the average of 12.5% percent hotel room tax. The single/double/triple/quadruple room designation denotes the number of room occupants, not the number of beds. A triple room means three people are sharing two double beds unless a rollaway bed is requested at an extra charge.
Hotel reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will not be any hotel shuttles but all hotels are within a 15-minute walk from the convention center. If you would like to view the hotel descriptions and prices available for the 2015 annual meeting prior to registering, see the Hotel Locator Map and Rates and Hotel Amenities Chart.
Internet AccessComplimentary internet is available in the Hyatt Regency lobby, meeting rooms, and guest rooms.
Restaurants & SightseeingFor information about restaurants and sightseeing in the immediate vicinity of the meeting, a good place to start is the Downtown Atlanta website. Atlanta attractions include the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Centennial Olympic Park, MLK Jr. National Historic Site, Inside CNN Studio Tour, the High Museum of Art, and the Georgia Aquarium, all linked from the Atlanta Tours and Sightseeing page.
Child CareAAR/SBL hosts a children’s program called Kiddie Corp. The program is for children ages 6 months through 12 years old. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Meals must be supplied by parents or purchased when checking your child in each day. Register in advance to guarantee a place. Check back soon for registration information.
Travel InformationAir Travel Discounts
Delta and United Airlines are the official carriers of the AAR & SBL Annual Meeting and Avis is the preferred rental car supplier. For the benefit of our conference attendees, a discount is available and is valid a few days before and after the Annual Meeting ends, depending on carrier. To take advantage of these special discounted fares, you can call or make reservations directly through their respective websites listed below. Discounts do not apply to certain restricted fares and exclude sale fare inventories.
If you book through your own travel agency, be sure to give them the appropriate discount code below.
Carrier Phone Number Website Discount Code
Delta Airlines 1-800-328-1111 www.delta.com NML6C
United Airlines 1-800-426-1122 www.united.com ZUME390393
Avis Car Rental 1-800-331-1551 www.avis.com Z245795 (AWD#)
Transportation from Atlanta International Airport (ATL)Rapid Transit Train – MARTA
Arriving air travelers should follow the Ground Transportation signs to MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). The fare gates are just a few feet from the baggage claim areas. Take the MARTA train to the Peachtree Center Station. You may either take the Doraville Gold Line or the North Springs Red Line. At Peachtree Center, exit to the Food Court and follow signs to the Hyatt Regency or Marriot Marquis Hotel. People who are staying in other properties may get more specific directions from their hotels. For more information, visit http://itsmarta.com/rail-schedules-or-route.aspx. MARTA fare is $5 for a round trip ticket, and $1 more if you don’t already have a Breeze Card.
TaxisA set fee prevails between the airport and downtown of $30. There is a $2 charge for each additional person and a $1.50 flag drop fee. Taxis can be found in the Yellow Bus aisle.
Shared-Ride VansThe AAR and SBL are partnering with Super Shuttle this year for dates between November 18 and 28. Shared shuttle service is available 24 hours a day with a reservation. They are offering a discount of $1 off one-way trips ($15.50), or $4 per roundtrip ($29). There are two ways to book Super Shuttle:
Go to the AAR/SBL Super Shuttle Site to book your shuttle. Note that only AAR & SBL hotels are listed on this link.
Call 1-800-258-3826, and give the discount code VSBT4. Attendees will be charged $2 each way if you choose to call in your reservation. Please have the address of your hotel ready.
Upon arrival, follow signs to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the SuperShuttle ticket counter to speak with a uniformed Customer Service Representative. The counter is located in the Domestic Terminal’s south-side baggage claim area, in the corridor immediately to the left of the escalator from the inter-terminal train. The ticket counter is staffed from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily. Most shared-ride shuttles pick up on the Green Bus Aisle, which is located outside in the Ground Transportation Center between the Domestic North and South Terminals.
Arriving International PassengersThe Atlanta airport has a relatively new (2012) International Terminal. If you are arriving directly from an international flight, you cannot access secured areas of the Airport after you pick up your luggage at the international terminal baggage claim. The airport has a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service that goes from the international terminal to the main terminal (15-minute ride). From the main terminal, you have access to the domestic terminal’s ground transportation center at the west of the building, which includes MARTA. If you are flying back directly to an international location, you must go to this terminal to check in as well.
Hanging signs will assist you with identifying loading and unloading zones for each ground transportation service:
The charges are as follows:
For more information, please see the Hyatt Regency Transportation page and Parking page. If you are planning on driving in, and would like a more economical choice, you might want to park at an outlying MARTA station and take the rail in. Hyatt Regency Atlanta is connected to Peachtree Center Train Station via Peachtree Center Mall. From http://itsmarta.com/rail-schedules-or-route.aspx, you can click on individual train stations to view their parking information. See above for more MARTA information.
For more information, visit WestarInstitute.org
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Start: November 20, 2015
End: November 24, 2015
Location: Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Embassy Hall Ballroom
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta United States Georgia
Contact: Westar Institute
Website: http://www.westarinstitute.org/national-meetings/fall-2015-registration/
Telephone: (503) 375-5323
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ProgressiveChristianity.org
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Reclaiming a Strategic AtheismThe Seminar on God and the Human Future will honor the 50th anniversary of Paul Tillich’s death with the vanguard topic, “The Radical Tillich: Reclaiming a Strategic Atheism.” Historically “atheism” is the rejection of belief in a (or any) transcendental being. But it is not often noticed that “atheism” has another, radical sense, which is to undermine the assumptions of human knowledge and to push even theology and philosophical forms of religion to new frontiers of thought. In many ways, there cannot be breakthroughs in knowledge without “atheism” working at the edge of accepted norms. Some of the greatest philosophers of human history, including Socrates and Jesus of Nazareth, were accused of atheism in their time.
- What theological and ideological debts does modern Western culture owe to Tillich?
- What are the edges of Tillich’s thought on theology and American culture?
- In what sense has Paul Tillich opened a frontier for a postmodern Christianity?
- If atheism is the proper response to the concept of God as a Supreme Being, what other definitions of God—if any—are worth pursuing?
- How can atheism be employed strategically as a theological “axe at the root of the tree”? How can it force theologians to confront their own assumptions?
9–11:30 AM, 1–3:30 PM
Public Forum on Westar Seminars (Associates Forum)
- What significant results emerged from the discussions of Westar’s Christianity Seminar and the Seminar on God and the Human Future? What is the relevance of Seminar findings both within and beyond academia? Seminar chairs Bernard Brandon Scott and David Galston will each present a ten-minute overview of key Seminar outcomes and then open the floor to audience questions.
9–10 AM
Seminar PapersThe Seminar Papers, which will become available in November, are the basis for the discussions in the Friday and Saturday sessions. They will not be presented orally at the event. Persons wishing to follow the discussions should read the papers in advance.
Electronic copies of the Seminar Papers are available to the public and will be posted when they come available, usually 2 to 3 weeks prior to the event. Hard copies of the papers will be available at a cost of $25 each.
Read online – Check for availability in November
Order hard copies of seminar papers
AAR/SBL Program HighlightsA full Westar registration grants access to all AAR and SBL sessions—a practically inexhaustible smorgasbord of topics related to the study of religion—as well as to trips to local tourist attractions, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Preliminary information about the AAR/SBL sessions, including session descriptions, locations and times, is not yet available. Check back soon for links to both programs. Copies of the print program will be available for pickup at the meeting.
Schedule
Friday, November 20
1–2:45 pm
Session 1, Christianity Seminar
3:15–5 pm
Session 2, Christianity Seminar
5–6:30
Meal break
6:30–8 pm
Session 3, Christianity Seminar
Saturday, November 21
9–11:30 am
Session 1, Seminar on God and the Human Future
11:30–1
Meal break
1–3:30 pm
Session 2, Seminar on God and the Human Future
8:30–10 pm
SBL Reception
Sunday, November 22
9–10, 10:30–11:30 am
Morning lecture (TBA)
11:30 am–1 pm
Meal break
1–2, 2:30–3:30 pm
Afternoon lecture (TBA)
Dates & Deadlines At-a-Glance
- June 22 Early Bird Registration Deadline
- Aug 17 Pre-Registration Deadline
- Register by this date to receive SBL name badge & program book in mail; otherwise these must be picked up onsite.
- Oct 31 Hotel discounted room rates expire
- Some hotels may honor the rate after this date. More information.
- Nov 1 Registration cancellation deadline
- Nov 9 Accommodation cancellation deadline
- Nov 17 Registration Deadline
- Nov 20–22 All Westar events
- Nov 21–24 All AAR/SBL events, Exhibit Hall open
Not a Westar member? You can add a Westar membership ($45) to your registration and register at the member price. Westar members receive a subscription to The Fourth R magazine (6 issues annually), discounts on national meeting registration, and 20% off Polebridge books & media. Learn more.
Already registered for the AAR/SBL meeting? Your AAR/SBL registration lets you attend Westar academic seminars. It does not, however, give you access to Westar public lectures. To sign up for the public lectures, see option 2 below.
Westar Fellows who registered through AAR/SBL may join in Westar academic seminars at no additional charge. But, in order to estimate how many places to set at the seminar table, we need you to fill out the Westar online registration form. Clicking on three boxes—(1) I have registered thru AAR/SBL, (2) I am an academic, and (3) I am a Westar Fellow—will let you tell us in which seminars you plan to participate. This is for planning purposes only.
Option 1Register for full Westar Meeting
For a full meeting registration plus the option to register a partner for the full meeting or just for one/both public lectures, choose Option 1. A Westar full meeting registration gives registrants—including Fellows—full access to the Westar meeting, including academic seminars and public lectures, and full access to the AAR/SBL program, including the exhibits and the reception, as well as to the convention hotel room block. This is an all inclusive registration.
Upon completion of your Westar registration, you will receive instructions for completing your AAR/SBL registration (at no additional cost) and gaining access to hotels. Learn about hotel options.
Members Non-membersEarly Bird Registration (By June 22) $160 $200
Pre-registration (By Aug 17) $180 $220
Registration (By Nov 17) $210 $250
Option 2Sign up for public lectures only
Those who do not wish to attend Westar academic seminars, the AAR or SBL programs, and who do not want access to the hotel room block, may sign up just for Westar public lecture(s) on Sunday, November 22nd. Lecture attendees can pick up a day pass to the exhibit hall at the event.
Members Non-membersPublic Forum on Westar Seminars (Associates Forum) $10 $20
Harvey Cox $20 $20
Jack Miles $40 $40
Admission is available at the door for public lectures only.
Meeting LocationAll Westar events, along with Registration and the Exhibit Hall, will take place at:
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Embassy Hall Ballroom
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 30303
A name badge, which comes with a full registration only, will be required to access the Exhibit Hall and all sessions, except the Westar public lectures. If you are attending public lectures only, please come straight to the Embassy Hall Ballroom. Lecture attendees can pick up a day pass to the Exhibit Hall on site.
AccessibilityWestar members with disabilities or any attendees who may have difficulty getting around the meeting are encouraged to note this during registration. View the AAR’s Accessibility Information Page. You can also get information directly from the Hyatt Regency Accessibility page.
Seminar PapersFor more information about seminar papers, including when they come available and how to order hard copies, click here.
Registration cut-off date & refunds
Full registrations must be received at the Westar office no later than Tuesday, November 17. Walk-on registration is available for public lectures only. Refunds are available if requested by November 1, minus a $40 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after that date.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available on request. Attendance at Westar events qualifies for CEUs for clergy and other educators. Full attendance at Westar’s Spring or Fall semiannual meetings earns 2 CEUs (.5 per day). Please notify us of your interest when you register, or fill out the CEU request form. During the event, applicants will be asked to check in with a Westar staff member each day on arrival and departure. A certificate will be sent immediately following the event. Please call 503-375-5323 with any questions.
Young Leaders in ReligionHelping clergy and other leaders ages 20 to 45 to translate and transform religion scholarship into meaningful forms for their communities
Westar Institute is forming a new Young Leaders in Religion Forum. If you are between the ages of 20 and 45, and are a trained religious leader in church, arts, chaplaincy, non-profit, social advocacy, new faith community or social service work, we invite you to join this new solidarity network, which launched at Westar’s national meeting in Santa Rosa, March 18–21, 2015. At that time participants came together to raise and address issues, challenges, and goals, and to identify leaders to help shape the future of Young Leaders in Religion at Westar. The Fall 2015 Meeting will continue that important work. Check back soon for more details on the Fall 2015 schedule and program.
Westar is actively seeking interested members for this new forum. If you feel you or someone you know would be a good candidate for this program, please contact academic director David Galston for more information: dgalston@westarinstitute.org
Young Leaders in Religion should not use the regular registration form to sign up for the Fall 2015 forum. Please wait for instructions from the Young Leaders in Religion program committee.
Full Registration ResourcesExhibit Hall
The Polebridge Press bookstore will be located in the Exhibit Hall at Booth #1509, along with approximately 150 other publishers featuring books on a wide spectrum of subjects from religious studies to hermeneutics to philosophy, often at deep discounts on cover price. A name badge, which you receive with a full registration only, is required to access the exhibits. Lecture attendees can pick up a day pass at the event for access to the Exhibit Hall Sunday only.
Exhibit Hall Hours:
- Saturday, November 21, 8:30 am–5:30 pm
- Sunday, November 22, 8:30 am–5:30 pm
- Monday, November 23, 8:30 am–5:30 pm
- Tuesday, November 24, 8:30 am–12:00 pm
Hotel OptionsAAR/SBL has negotiated special conference rates at twelve luxurious and convenient hotels for meeting attendees. Please note that you can only get the special conference rate by booking a full Westar registration (which includes an AAR/SBL registration). Hotel conference discounts expire 10/31/2015, though some hotels may honor conference rates after that date at their discretion. Hotel room rates do not include the average of 12.5% percent hotel room tax. The single/double/triple/quadruple room designation denotes the number of room occupants, not the number of beds. A triple room means three people are sharing two double beds unless a rollaway bed is requested at an extra charge.
Hotel reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will not be any hotel shuttles but all hotels are within a 15-minute walk from the convention center. If you would like to view the hotel descriptions and prices available for the 2015 annual meeting prior to registering, see the Hotel Locator Map and Rates and Hotel Amenities Chart.
Internet AccessComplimentary internet is available in the Hyatt Regency lobby, meeting rooms, and guest rooms.
Restaurants & SightseeingFor information about restaurants and sightseeing in the immediate vicinity of the meeting, a good place to start is the Downtown Atlanta website. Atlanta attractions include the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Centennial Olympic Park, MLK Jr. National Historic Site, Inside CNN Studio Tour, the High Museum of Art, and the Georgia Aquarium, all linked from the Atlanta Tours and Sightseeing page.
Child CareAAR/SBL hosts a children’s program called Kiddie Corp. The program is for children ages 6 months through 12 years old. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Meals must be supplied by parents or purchased when checking your child in each day. Register in advance to guarantee a place. Check back soon for registration information.
Travel InformationAir Travel Discounts
Delta and United Airlines are the official carriers of the AAR & SBL Annual Meeting and Avis is the preferred rental car supplier. For the benefit of our conference attendees, a discount is available and is valid a few days before and after the Annual Meeting ends, depending on carrier. To take advantage of these special discounted fares, you can call or make reservations directly through their respective websites listed below. Discounts do not apply to certain restricted fares and exclude sale fare inventories.
If you book through your own travel agency, be sure to give them the appropriate discount code below.
Carrier Phone Number Website Discount Code
Delta Airlines 1-800-328-1111 www.delta.com NML6C
United Airlines 1-800-426-1122 www.united.com ZUME390393
Avis Car Rental 1-800-331-1551 www.avis.com Z245795 (AWD#)
Transportation from Atlanta International Airport (ATL)Rapid Transit Train – MARTA
Arriving air travelers should follow the Ground Transportation signs to MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). The fare gates are just a few feet from the baggage claim areas. Take the MARTA train to the Peachtree Center Station. You may either take the Doraville Gold Line or the North Springs Red Line. At Peachtree Center, exit to the Food Court and follow signs to the Hyatt Regency or Marriot Marquis Hotel. People who are staying in other properties may get more specific directions from their hotels. For more information, visit http://itsmarta.com/rail-schedules-or-route.aspx. MARTA fare is $5 for a round trip ticket, and $1 more if you don’t already have a Breeze Card.
TaxisA set fee prevails between the airport and downtown of $30. There is a $2 charge for each additional person and a $1.50 flag drop fee. Taxis can be found in the Yellow Bus aisle.
Shared-Ride VansThe AAR and SBL are partnering with Super Shuttle this year for dates between November 18 and 28. Shared shuttle service is available 24 hours a day with a reservation. They are offering a discount of $1 off one-way trips ($15.50), or $4 per roundtrip ($29). There are two ways to book Super Shuttle:
Go to the AAR/SBL Super Shuttle Site to book your shuttle. Note that only AAR & SBL hotels are listed on this link.
Call 1-800-258-3826, and give the discount code VSBT4. Attendees will be charged $2 each way if you choose to call in your reservation. Please have the address of your hotel ready.
Upon arrival, follow signs to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the SuperShuttle ticket counter to speak with a uniformed Customer Service Representative. The counter is located in the Domestic Terminal’s south-side baggage claim area, in the corridor immediately to the left of the escalator from the inter-terminal train. The ticket counter is staffed from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily. Most shared-ride shuttles pick up on the Green Bus Aisle, which is located outside in the Ground Transportation Center between the Domestic North and South Terminals.
Arriving International PassengersThe Atlanta airport has a relatively new (2012) International Terminal. If you are arriving directly from an international flight, you cannot access secured areas of the Airport after you pick up your luggage at the international terminal baggage claim. The airport has a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service that goes from the international terminal to the main terminal (15-minute ride). From the main terminal, you have access to the domestic terminal’s ground transportation center at the west of the building, which includes MARTA. If you are flying back directly to an international location, you must go to this terminal to check in as well.
Hanging signs will assist you with identifying loading and unloading zones for each ground transportation service:
- Taxis: Yellow/Zone 1
- Local Shuttles: Green/Zone 4
- International Shuttle Connector (to main airport terminal): Red/Zone
The charges are as follows:
- 0-1 hour $ 10.00
- 1-2 hours $14.00
- 2-4 hours $18.00
- 4-6 hours $24.00
- 6-24 hours $32.00
For more information, please see the Hyatt Regency Transportation page and Parking page. If you are planning on driving in, and would like a more economical choice, you might want to park at an outlying MARTA station and take the rail in. Hyatt Regency Atlanta is connected to Peachtree Center Train Station via Peachtree Center Mall. From http://itsmarta.com/rail-schedules-or-route.aspx, you can click on individual train stations to view their parking information. See above for more MARTA information.
For more information, visit WestarInstitute.org
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Start: November 20, 2015
End: November 24, 2015
Location: Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Embassy Hall Ballroom
265 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta United States Georgia
Contact: Westar Institute
Website: http://www.westarinstitute.org/national-meetings/fall-2015-registration/
Telephone: (503) 375-5323
View all upcoming events here!
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ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW#80
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335 United States
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