ICOSA Events and Resolutions

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Sacred sites and the role of religion in the distruction of many sites
Council members' questions and comments on last month’s discussion of sacred sites and the role of religion in the distruction of many sites.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Rep. Peter T. King's Committee Hearings on Muslims
Rep. Peter T. King's Committee Hearings on Muslims, A Statement by the Interreligious Council of San Antonio

Supporting his committee hearings, Rep. Peter T. King has said that American Muslim communities are not cooperating to prevent the radicalization of their youth. He says “The threat is coming from the Muslim community.” No religion is immune to extremism. Americans should worry about extremists from the Muslim world, as from any other religion. But targeted and biased investigation of Muslim communities, making them “other” than American, is likely to alienate Muslim youths. Subjecting whole communities to investigations because a select few from amongst them perpetrate violence is unfair, unjust, and simply wrong.
The God of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is One. Yet the holy books of each can be used to justify attacks on another. It is the duty of all to protect each from denigration on account of his or her religion. It is untenable that any religious group should be damned because some of its members are involved in terrorist activity. After enduring a decade of profiling, bigotry, hatred, and even violence against them, the Muslims of America do not deserve more of the same. American Muslims understand that any acts of terrorism emanating from their communities will hurt them the most.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Religious Terrorism: Topic for our February 14 Council Meeting
Ken Southwood, Ph.D. will speak on religious terrorism. His talk will cover some recent work on religious terrorism deriving from various religions. He will include the religious roots and characteristics of terrorism, its sources in reaction to modernity, and characteristics which make some terrorist organizations able to impel their members and to successfully survive. Finally, Dr. Southwood will explain how terrorism is most likely to end as compared to other kinds of terrorism, suggest proposals to end religious terrorism, and discuss how the United Stated is shaping its policies to achieve an end to this terrorism.

Guests are welcome.

The Council meets from 6:15 to 7:45 at the Jewish Federation.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - October Council Meeting Monday, October 11
The October meeting of the Interreligious Council of San Antonio (ICOSA) will feature a presentation by Shereen Bhalla on “Looking at Color: An examination of Diversity and Dialogue.”

Bhalla is a PhD student in the Culture, Literacy and Language program at UTSA. She also teaches undergraduate courses examining the role of diversity in Schools and how to implement a multicultural curriculum.

The meeting will be held on Monday, October 11 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Campus for the San Antonio Jewish Community, 12500 N.W. Military Hwy in the Federation Board room which is located in the upper level by the elevator. The meeting is open to the public.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - July 12 Council Meeting
When ICOSA meets on Monday evening July 12, our topic of discussion will be “Contemplative and reflective practices of spiritual traditions.” Jan Puckett with moderate the session.

Guests are welcome.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Council Meeting June 14
The program for our June meeting is as follows: The Human Condition of Leadership: From the Founders to the Present Day. What is our perspective when religious leaders fail to live up to the precepts of our religions? Should religious leaders be held to a higher standard?

Guests are always welcome.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Interreligious Council Meeting Monday, May 10
The program for our Council meeting on Monday will be "Rituals for Dying in our Various Religions, Including how to Prepare for Death."

Our meeting begins at 6:15. Guests are welcome.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Interreligious Council Meeting April 12th from 6:15 to 7:45
For our program, Council member Rajam Rajamurthy will present:

'A Tapestry of Belief'. My recent visit to South India.

I would like to share some beautiful moments with all of you. This will be at the Interreligious Council meeting which begins at 6:15 with light dinner. The presentations are usually at 6:45 ending at 7:30.
There is often lively discussion and sharing of different religious perspectives. I seek your input and hope you will share some of your experiences as well.

Please let me know if you are attending so we can have an approximate head count. Look forward to seeing you.

The public is welcome. Members are encouraged to invite friends.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Council Meeting Program: Sikh Awareness
The Council will meet on Monday, March 8 at 6:15. Dr. Pritam Singh will discuss the Sikh religion.

Guests are welcome.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - February 8 Meeting of the Interreligious Council
The Interreligious Council will meet on Monday, February 8, from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m.

One of our agenda items will be the plight of the Bahá'ís in Iran.

Our program will be a discussion of religious leadership in our various communities. Council members are encouraged to contribute information regarding their communities.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Council Letter to Members of the State Board of Education
The Interreligious Council of San Antonio affirms the principle of separation of church and state in its protection of citizens from religious indoctrination by the state and the State from intrusion by religion. The religious traditions of American citizens should be respected provided there is no violation of the separation principle.

Understanding that the Christian religion, in its many different sects, played an important part in the beginnings of this country – e.g., Puritans in Massachusetts, Anglicans in Virginia, and Quakers in Pennsylvania -- and in its further development as other sects came here, this needs to be taught as part of the history of the United States. This history also includes parts played by deists, Jews and, more recently, by other, non-Christian, faiths benefitting from America’s religious freedom and contributing to its economic vitality.

The Council urges the State Board of Education to avoid the intrusion of any religious beliefs in the selection of material to be taught in the Texas schools.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Council Meeting January 11
Council Meeting, Monday, January 11, from 6:15 to 7:45

Jim Spickard, a professor of Sociology, specializing in religion, will speak on
the Entanglement of Religion and Politics.

Guests are welcome.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - December 14 Council Meeting
Our next meeting is December 14th from 6:15 to 7:45 in the offices of the Jewish Federation.

Jan Puckett, a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner, will introduce the program on religious retreats. She will show slides from Pullahari Monastery overlooking Katmandu valley in Nepal, where she attended a 10-day meditation retreat in March, 2009. ICOSA members of other faiths will also comment on retreats from the perspective of their own traditions.

This is a wonderful opportunity. Guests are welcome.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues
The Interreligious Council of San Antonio invites you to participate in The Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues, Thursday, November 12, 2009

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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Council Meeting Monday, September 14th
Home Coming and Pot Luck

September 14th is our traditional potluck and home coming for the new 2009-2010 year. We will continue to meet at the Jewish Federation from 6:15 to 7:45. See our website for a map if needed. Lee Hampton is coordinating the potluck. Please let her know what you can bring.

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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - The Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues
The Interreligious Council of San Antonio invites you to participate in The Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues, Thursday, November 12, 2009

To register as a host or participant
please visit www.amazingfaithsproject.org
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Interreligious Council to hold July 13th meeting at the Hindu Temple of San Antonio
Our July 13th meeting will be held at the Hindu Temple of San Antonio located just North of Helotes. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Council and friends.
Guests are welcome.
Please RSVP to Rajam at ramamurthyrajam@aol.com if you plan to attend.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Interreligious Council Meeting June 8, 2009
“Modern Secular Scholarship on the Christian Gospels”

Ken Southwood has agreed to lead a discussion on “Modern Secular Scholarship on the Christian Gospels.”
This is the third of possible ongoing presentations by Council members of aspects of their religions.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Announcement for ICOSA April 13th Meeting
For our April meeting, Jewish members of our group will provide a Passover “Child Nutrition Seder.” Every spring, Jews celebrate the holiday of Passover, declaring in our seders the words from the Haggadah, “Let all who are hungry come and eat; let all who are in need come share our Passover.”

We will join Jewish groups and interfaith leaders around the country who are convening not just to celebrate the Jewish people’s historical escape from slavery, but to highlight this country’s obligation to ensure that all of our children escape the affliction of hunger.

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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - March 16th Council Meeting
The Council will meet at 6:15 in the offices of the Jewish Federation.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - February Meeting of the Interreligious Council
The Interreligious Council will meet on February 9th at 6:15 at the offices of the Jewish Federation. Our program will be on mysticism in the various religions represented on the Council.

Guests are welcome.

FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Interreligious Council Meeting Monday, January 12th
What can we learn about Religious Diversity from our Indian Council Members?
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Buddhism: A Science of the Mind -- Interreligious Council Meeting December 8th
Buddhism: A Science of the Mind
A talk by Jan Puckett, Council member and Buddhist
December 8th Council Meeting 6:15 – 7:45

Guests are welcome!
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Suraj Kund Dance Festival
Arathi School of Indian Dance Presents Suraj Kund Outdoor Dance Festival 2008
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues on November 13th
San Antonio Community Members to Gather for
Life-Altering Conversations on Faith, Tolerance, and Respect

The Interreligious Council of San Antonio
and the peaceCENTER
Invite you to participate in
The Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues on November 13th
Registration Deadline is October 31st
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - There Shall be No Needy Among You: Fighting Poverty with Faith
An Interreligious Panel Discussion: Religious Perspectives on Poverty

Thursday, September 11th from 6:30 to 8:00.
Held at the SOL Center at the University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell, 78231. solcenter@upcsa.org

Moderated by Dr. Peggy Starkey, panelists will be from various religious groups of the Interreligious Council of San Antonio, including Bahá’í, Christian, Hindu Jewish, Muslim, Quaker, Sikh, and Universalist Unitarian. This topic coincides with a nationwide effort called “Fighting Poverty with Faith: A Call to Action”
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Martin Luther King Events
January 20th and 21st
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - January 14 Council Meeting
Our Program: Religious Groups that Work to Advance Interreligous Understanding and/or to Moderate Extremism.
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - San Antonio Interfaith Dialogue Dinners

Sponsored by the Interreligious Council of San Antonio
November 15, 2007
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

A Sharing, Listening Experience about Faith, Spirituality, Common Ground

On the evening of Thursday, November 15, 2007, San Antonians will gather in small groups in private homes to have a meal together and to share from their lives about faith, religious diversity and common human values.

Organizers will mix and match the dialogue participants for maximum diversity. You may share your first meal with a Bahá’í, Christian, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, or Sikh. The point of the evening is to connect and converse with people outside your daily or regular routines.

Everyone is invited – people of all faiths, people of no faith, and everyone in between. The only requirement is that you come in a spirit of tolerance and respect.

To sign up as a participant or host/ess, before November 7th, go to www.amazingfaithsproject.org
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - October 8th Program: Migrants-Foreigners: Teachings and Practice in Diverse Religious Faith Traditions
October 8, 2007
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Annual Pot Luck and Homecoming
September 10, 2007
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - The Interreligious Council of San Antonio Invites you to an Open Council Meeting
The Interreligious Council of San Antonio

Invites you to an Open Council Meeting

Date: Monday, June 11, 2007

Topic: Religiously Motivated Hate Crimes

Speaker: FBI Special Agent Miguel Alba

Time: 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. Refreshments

6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Lecture & Discussion

Location: The Friends Meeting of San Antonio

7052 North Vandiver at Eisenhauer
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FRONT PAGE and Events and Resolutions - Sounds of Prayer 2007

The Interreligious Council of San Antonio fosters awareness of religious diversity and promotes interreligious understanding in San Antonio through education and action.

The Sounds of Prayer 2007: Expressions of Multicultural Spirituality in Song, Dance, and Chant is on Sunday, March 25, 2007 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Carver Cultural Center (226 North Hackberry). Refreshments from the various cultures will be served following the program. Tickets are $7.00. The proceeds of this program will benefit the tiny infants in the Premature Infant Development PREMIEre Program off UTHSCSA that provides the vitally needed developmental follow up for the first three critical years. For further information, please call 698-0023.

You can join us as we work for interreligious understanding and cooperation in San Antonio.