2005 Peace Colloquy
Keynote Speakers

  

Wesley Ariarajah is a Methodist minister from Sri Lanka. In 1981 Dr. Ariarajah was invited to joined to join the staff of the World Council of Churches, where he led the Council's Interfaith Dialogue for twelve years. From 1992 he served as the deputy general secretary of the WCC. Since 1997 he has taught ecumenical theology at Drew University. He is an author on interfaith dialogue and has lectured and led conferences in many parts of the world. "Healing or Conversion: Christian Mission Reconsidered" (33:56) Rev. Wesley Ariarajah, Drew University Text

John L. Esposito is a recognized authority on Islam and Islamic culture, founding director of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, and professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. Governments and corporations around the world seek his expertise, and he appears regularly in the media to offer expert analysis on developments in the Middle East. In his provocative, challenging, and refreshingly honest presentations, Esposito explores the reality of Islam’s relationship with the west, and the resentment and misunderstandings that have characterized this often troubled relationship. "The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?" (45:24) John L. Esposito, professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University Text

Peggy Morgan has been a pioneer teacher of the study of religions since the late 1960s in the United Kingdom. She has lectured at both Westminster College–Oxford and for the faculty of theology at the University of Oxford, where she continues to teach. She was president of the British Association for the Study of Religions from 2000 to 2003; director of the Religious Experience Research Centre from 1996 to 2002; a patron of The International Interfaith Centre and a member and former chair of the Shap Working Party on World Religions in Education. "Exploring Religious Traditions: A Lifetime's Journey" (39:44) Peggy Morgan, Oxford University, United Kingdom

Don H. Compier is the dean of the Community of Christ Seminary, Graceland University. Don received his PhD in theological studies from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. For nine years he served as professor of theology at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, the Episcopal seminary of the Graduate Theological Union, an ecumenical and interfaith consortium in Berkeley, California. He gave a paper at the Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona, Spain in 2004.  "What Is Authentic Christian Mission in a Multifaith World?" Don Compier, dean, Community of Christ Seminary (19.:09) Text

JW Windland is a comparative mythologist and founder and director of the Encounter World Religions Centre, Toronto, Canada which serves through its programs about 10,000 high school and college students a year. A minister for the Community of Christ, JW is a passionate advocate for enabling others to experience world religions firsthand. He brings a familiarity and a deep knowledge of the diverse communities and traditions that make up the North American mosaic.  "What Is Authentic Christian Mission in a Multifaith World?" JW Windland, director,  Encounter World Religions Centre, Toronto (24:22) Text