Making Meaning in a time of Media Polarization
Public and social media cultivate outrage. Disinformation mixes freely with information. Activists call attention to a crisis of democracy. How should spiritual and religious communities respond? What is our role in making meaning together? Join journalists, scholars, activists, and spiritual teachers in exploring these questions.
An Inter-Religious Conference
May 30 – June 1, 2023
Vancouver School of Theology
Attend in person or via Zoom
Access recordings through June 30
Register by May 26 for in-person (includes lunch both days)
Register by May 29 for Zoom (session recordings available through June 30)
Keynote Lecture
Disinformation and Democracy
Peter W. Klein
Canadian journalist; Emmy Award-winner; Founder, Global Reporting Centre
Tuesday May 30, 7-8:30 pm
Free and open to the public
Events for Registered Participants
Gaslighting, Conspiracy, Propaganda, and Fascism:
A Conversation with Sarah Kendzior and Jason Stanley
Dr. Sarah Kendzior, American journalist, is co-host of Gaslit Nation Podcast, and author of They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent
Dr. Jason Stanley, philosopher, is author of How Propaganda Works and How Fascism Works
Posting Peace: Positive Social Media Use
Workshop with Rev. Andria Irwin and Rev. Dr. Douglas Bursch
Rev. Andria Irwin is co-author of Following: Embodied Discipleship in a Digital Age
Rev. Dr. Douglas Bursch is author of Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It
Making Fruitful Interfaith Connections
Panel Discussion and Workshop
with Rev. Catherine Keene Merchant (Buddhist), Sheikh Jamal Rahman (Muslim), Farid Rohani (Bahá’í), Rev. Don MacKenzie (Christian), Rev. John Snow (Stoney Nakoda)
Opening and Closing Dialogues
Dr. Terry S. Neiman, Professor of Communications, Douglas College
Presentations by Scholars and Activists
- Youth, Social Media and Social Activism: A Perspective from Nigeria
Lydia Abaga - Quranic Interpretation without Language Diplomacy: A Threat to Peace and Stability
Dr. Mohammed Marzuq Abubakari - Restoring Community in a Divided Countryside: Anger and Healing in Rural Communities
Dr. Marvin Lee Anderson - The Theology of the Artist’s Way
William Burr - Resisting Truth Decay: Critical Tools for Religious Education
Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan - Debate Without Polarization: Lessons from the Talmud
Rabbi Dr. Julie Hilton Danan - Interfaith Collaborations: A Gain for All!
Dr. Chris Osahon Eigbike - Thrown Into Confusion: Media Polarization in the Book of Esther
Maria Hearing - Theology in the Public Square
Rev. Violet Johnicker - The Source of Story: How Ancient Texts and Traditions Can Guide Our Approach
Rachel Jones
- The Ignatian Path: Discernment as Critical Tool for Navigating Digital Space
Kemboi Silas Kipkorir - Two Factors in the Media Circle that Influenced the Popularity of the Prosperity Gospels in the US
Rev. Chanil Lee - Acedia, the Issue Behind Life Difficulties
Dr. Dave MacQuarrie - ‘This means war!’ Left/Right Polarization and the Culture(d?) Battles for/with/by Kids in Jesus Camp
James Magee - The Apostle Paul: Media Polarizer
Dr. Harry O. Maier - For Heaven’s Sake! What the Talmud and Nature Teach us About How to Disagree
Rabbi Dr. Natan Margalit - Using Lies to Tell the Truth: Ideological Divisions, Artistic Interventions, and the Role of Creativity in Cultural Change
Keith Murray - Community Organizing as a Antidote for Polarization in Rural Communities
Rev. Robin Murray - Reclaiming Morality and Ethics as Meaningfully Interdependent Determiners of Justice
Dr. Terry S. Neiman
- Scream-worthy Sequel or Repetitive Reboot? (Re)Viewing Revelation’s Apocalyptic Violence after an American Insurrection
Marshall S. Eaton Pickard - Table Top Role Game as a Contemporary Focal Practice enabling Christian Praxis
Marcus Reidner and Jerremie Clyde - Machine Bias: the Myth of “Neutral” Technology
Ian Reed - Unity in Diversity: Eschatological Hope in Presbyterian Marriage
Rev. Rebecca Simpson - Conversational Etiquettes of Late Antiquity and Today in Pursuit of Peace
Dr. Mark J. Stein - Attempting Collaboration in a Polarized Setting: A Case History
Walter Wawruck - Solidarity as More Faithful than Separation
Rev. Todd Wiebe - “Most People are Better than Their Theology”: The Call for Particularity
Allison Williams - Underlying Causes of Polarization in Media and the Role of Religion & Philosophy in Decreasing this Divergence
Nasir Zaidi
Registration is now open
- Registration fee: Students $85/ General $175
- Financial aid available, contact LDKaplan@vst.edu
Questions?
Contact Conference Administrator Dr. Nicola Hayward, nhayward@vst.edu, or
Conference Director Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan, LDKaplan@vst.edu.