Interfaith Forums 2013 takes place this fall starting Sunday evening, October 6. These five weekly events are geared to educate the public, build friendship, and gain a greater understanding and awareness of the diverse faith traditions represented in Southern Nevada.
In a world torn apart by religious misunderstanding, the goal of the Interfaith Forums is to provide an experience where people can hear different religions’ perspectives in an environment of mutual respect. It is a time and place to hear and be heard. In the course of nearly two decades, the forums have helped forge strong relationships between members of Southern Nevada’s diverse religious communities.
The annual fall series includes five interfaith events, each featuring five or six panelists from different world religions. Each presenter addresses the same topic from their faith’s scripture or formal public policy.
Each forum is a two-hour program held on Sunday evenings.
Each forum is held in a different house of worship, so participants can experience the environment, the symbolism, and how the physical structure serves the religious community it houses.
We hope you and your friends can join us this year for our 26th Season!
2013 Interfaith Forums Schedule
Sunday, October 6, 2013, 7:00-9:00 pm
Religion and its Relationship to Science
Focusing on each religion’s guiding principles influencing how believers view and interact with science.
| Location: | Jamia Masjid / Mosque (Islamic Society of Nevada) 4730 E. Desert Inn Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 |
Directions: From I515 /US 95, exit Flamingo Rd Exit, 1 mile; left on Nellis Blvd (@Sam’s Town) 1 mile; left on Desert Inn 1/10 mile; Mosque is on right |
ISLAM – Mohammed Shafi, MD, Interfaith Chair, Islamic Society of NV
RELIGIOUS SCIENCE – Mr. Jeffrey Masagatani, Ministerial Intern, Center for Spiritual Living, Greater Las Vegas
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE– Ms. Susan Salvatore, Practitioner
EPISCOPALIAN – Reverend Dr. James Wallis, PhD, Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church
SIKHISM – Dr. Upinder Singh, Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Ji
* * *
Sunday, October 13, 2013, 7:00-9:00 pm
Religion and its Relationship to Politics (Church and State)
Each religion’s guiding principles influencing believers in their political involvement.
| Location: | The SGI Buddhist Center 2725 W. Charleston Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89102 |
Directions: From Charleston and Rancho, proceed west on Charleston to SGI Center on south side of street |
ISLAM – Dr. Aslam Abdullah, Director of Islamic Society of Nevada
JUDAISM – Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Congregation Ner Tamid
CATHOLICISM – Father Bill William Kenny, Holy Spirit Catholic Church
BUDDHISM – Mr. Joel Ferguson, SGI Las Vegas Region Men’s Leader
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS – President Nile T. Leatham, Las Vegas Meadows Stake
HUMANISM – Mr. Mel Lipman, Immediate Past Pres., The American Humanistic Assoc. Union
* * *
Sunday, October 20, 2013, 7:00-9:00 pm
Religion and its Relationship to Education
Each religion’s guiding principles shaping education’s role in a believer’s life. Speakers are youth between 18-27.
| Location: | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3400 W Charleston Ave., LV, NV 89102 |
Directions: From Charleston and Rancho, proceed west on Charleston to church on north side of street. |
JUDAISM – Mr. Andrew Spivak, Director Hillel at UNLV
PAGAN – Mr. Ross Guaspari, Temple of Goddess Spirituality
BUDDHISM – Ms. Michele Lecker
SIKHISM – Mr. Trimaan Singh Malik
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS – Mr. David Blair Sabey
* * *
Sunday, October 27, 2013, 7:00-9:00 PM
The Difference between Spirituality and Religion
Each religion’s teachings regarding distinctions between spirituality and religion.
| Location: | The Las Vegas Baha’i’ Center 7035 West Oakey, Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89117 |
Directions: From Rainbow and Sahara, proceed north on Rainbow to Oakey Blvd., west on Oakey. Baha’i Center is on south side of street. |
PAGAN – Priestess Candace Ross, Temple of Goddess Spirituality
CATHOLICISM – Father Dave Casaleggio, St. Anne Catholic Church
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST – The Reverend Gail Colllins-Ranadive
THE BAHA’I’ FAITH – Mr. Ernie Acevedo, Member, The Baha’i’ Community of Henderson
SCIENTOLOGY – Beth Settle, Executive Director, Church of Scientology Las Vegas Org & Celebrity Centre
* * *
Sunday, Nov 3, 2013, 7:00-9:00 pm
Religion: How it Influences Me in Setting My Life Goals
Guiding principles which may influence a young person’s approach to their life goals and expectations. Speakers are youth between 18-27.
| Location: | Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church 2004 Spring Gate Lane, Las Vegas NV 89134 |
Directions: West on Summerlin Parkway, exit N.Town Center Dr. right to roundabout & Village Center Cir. First traffic light, left onto Trailwood Dr. Next cross street: Spring Gate Ln. Turn right, church is on the right just past Trails Center Dr. |
ISLAM – Mr. Azaan Akbar, Medical Student
EPISCOPALIAN – Mr. Joshua Domingcil, Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church
HUMANISM – Mr. Michael Gobaud, Founder, Secular Legal Society of Boyd Law
THE BAHA’I’ FAITH – Mr. Arash Tanara, Member, The Baha’i’ Community of Henderson
CATHOLICISM – Ms. Heather Thomas, Youth Minister, Holy Spirit Catholic Church
SCIENTOLOGY – Mr. Luke Settle, Church of Scientology and Celebrity Center