Why should institutions of higher education care about interfaith work? In response to the Interfaith Youth Core's August 2010 gathering of campus faculty, staff, and students, a convening on Interfaith Work and Higher Education, the author offers reflections from several young people on the necessity for colleges and universities to engage…

In the Fall of 2009, the author participated in the sixth conference of Interfaith Youth Core, an organization and social movement devoted to building "mutal respect and pluralism among young people from different religious traditions by empowering them to work together to serve others". On that occasion, Dr. Eboo Patel, founder and…

Religious practice dramatically decreases in college and students' positions on hot-button religious/cultural questions move appreciably to the left. There's no doubt that college students are on a quest for meaning. In this article, the author reports on new data that reveals unequivocally the decline of religious practice among college students.…

The purpose of this study is to show how American Catholic bishops go about preparing a pastoral letter on a public issue. The actual preparation of a pastoral letter includes a number of complicated issues. The first two chapters provide background on the bishops' current letter. "Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy," tracing…

The permanent order of deacon is proposed in the United Methodist Church. The following are suggestions for governing representative ministry so it can be structured to enliven and renew the life of United Methodism: (1) any view of diaconal and other representative ministries must be seen in relation to the general ministry of all Christians; (2)…

On May 21, 2005, President George W. Bush delivered the commencement address at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As candidate and as president, George W. Bush had developed a reputation for paying close attention to the concerns of the conservative evangelical Protestants who cement his political base. Few institutions of higher learning…

States that the social conditions that produce cults are favorable today and that those young people who are attracted to cult membership are idealistic, innocent, inquisitive, independent, identity-seeking, insecure, and vulnerable. Suggests that educators can help students be aware of the seriousness of the problems cults can cause. (TJ)

Examines the current reversion to a punitive public mentality that is being promoted as a purportedly conservative agenda for fighting crime and delinquency. Suggests that while punitive measures and rehabilitation appear to be opposite solutions, each is reactive and rooted in pessimism and blame. (JPS)

this paper uses an interdisciplinary research methodology to engage the resources provided by the humanities and the liberal arts in a discourse analysis of Unitarian Universalism. The paper describes Unitarian Universalism as a contemporary religious-rhetorical movement and distinctive persuasion which nurtures an evolving, enriching religious…

Purposes and leadership in Catholic higher education are discussed to promote further dialogue among members of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities on institutional roots, present institutional conditions, and future vision. Papers and authors include: Commentary on Bishops' Pastoral Letter on Catholic Higher Education (William…

This publication contains statements from panelists at a seminar exploring recent campus conflicts over whether Christian student groups can bar gay and lesbian students from positions of leadership. The discussion centered on the decision of the Tufts University student judiciary to "derecognize" the Tufts Christian Fellowship (an…

Noting that college students in the 1990s are once again becoming interested in religious/spiritual phenomena, this analysis of religious humanism as persuasive discourse first touches upon the event-filled 1960s and 70s, which saw social unrest and turbulent change, much of it emanating from university students. As background, the analysis points…

Describes the existence of vitality in American Catholic higher education by showing that scholars are serious about research, literature, and teaching to serve their God and society. A selective bibliography lists an estimated 150 books, articles, and doctoral dissertations from 1987 to 1994. A list of relevant organizations and their serial…

The ethnic minority local church and its role in the Methodist ministry is discussed in an effort to emphasize the importance of strengthening Methodist ties with the black community. The black religious heritage and its historical relationship to the Methodist church are also discussed. It is suggested that church boards and agencies should…

The review of the Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education is described by the evaluator. She provides background information on the Bureau, her personal perspective, the major evaluation events and activities (including data collection efforts, progress reports, data analysis, and the final report), past review events, and her personal reflections.…