Interfaith Dialogues, hosted by Stan Grant
24 Mar 2023 - by Liz Jakimow
May 17 - The Voice and Reconciliation: Is it possible to speak authentically of love and justice in an unjust world?
July 12 - Faith and the Democratic: Should faith-based traditions engage in politics?
September 13 - God in a post-secular world: Can we speak meaningfully about God today?
November 15 - Religion and the Good Life: Is religion a force for good in the world and does religion help people lead a good life?
(Wed. Evenings 6 – 7.30 pm, in the Chapel, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture )
“Our world is immeasurably poorer for the loss and derision of faith and the substitute of cynicism.” -- Stan Grant.
The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture is presenting four public Interfaith Dialogues, hosted by Profs Anthony Maher and Stan Grant. The discussions will include a panel of six faith leaders from different religions. Each panelist will briefly engage with introductory remarks addressing the above questions followed by a Q & A hosted by Stan Grant between the panel and the audience.
The 2021 Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed an increase in religious diversity, as well as an increase in ‘no religion’. Also, for the first time, those affiliated with Christianity represent less than half of the population.
In this changing religious landscape of Australia, some question whether religion has anything of value to contribute to public debate. These Interfaith Dialogues intend to show how different faith traditions can constructively speak to the important issues of today.
This is a unique opportunity for Canberra to witness practical interfaith dialogue in action on essential issues of the day and to learn about faith traditions other than their own and to discover what different religions think on important issues. With Stan Grant hosting the Q & A, it is sure to be a lively and thought-provoking event.
The Executive director of the ACC&C Prof. Anthony Maher said, “Interfaith Dialogue has been an important aspect of the work at the ACC&C for many decades. In partnership with Charles Sturt University and Yindyamarra, it is a pleasure to host Stan Grant and the other faith leaders to the Centre as we aspire to co-create ‘Wisdom for the Common Good.’
About the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture is a ministry of the Christian churches, guided by the Holy Spirit, walking humbly in the way of Jesus, serving all of God’s people. The Centre aspires to fulfil its trinitarian vision through an ecumenical invitation, an indigenous heart and an interfaith outreach. Our mission includes liturgical celebrations, teaching and public lectures, promotion of research in Public Theology, promotion of Australian religious and theological expression in the arts, promotion of inter-faith and ecumenical dialogues and provision of appropriate space and programs for spiritual reflection. The Centre has an inclusive national character, expressing and reflecting Christian spirituality and culture, and is committed to atonement and reconciliation with the indigenous people of Australia.
Professor Stan Grant
Stan Grant is a Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man. Stan is the host of Q+A at the ABC and Vice Chancellor’s Professor of Indigenous Belonging at Charles Sturt University, where he is the Founding Director of Yindyamarra Nguluway. A journalist since 1987, he has worked for the ABC, SBS, the Seven Network and Sky News Australia. From 2001 to 2012 he worked for CNN as an anchor and senior correspondent in Asia and the Middle East. As a journalist, he has received a string of prestigious international and Australian awards. In 2015, he published his bestselling book Talking to My Country, which won the Walkley Book Award, and he also won a Walkley Award for his coverage of Indigenous affairs. In 2016 he was appointed to the Referendum Council on Indigenous recognition. His upcoming book, “The Queen is Dead” (HarperCollins) will speak to the legacy of History in Australia and explore the possibilities for justice in this country from a theological and philosophical perspective.
Professor Anthony Maher
Professor Anthony M Maher is the Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture, the Director of the Centre for Religion, Ethics and Society (CRES). He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the United Kingdom and a past President of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO). He was the Consultant Theologian to Catholic Education Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, the Academic Dean and Professor of Theology at the Australian Institute for Theological Education, and the Coordinator of Pastoral-Practical Theology at the Catholic Institute of Sydney (Sydney College of Divinity). Prior to his move to Australia, Anthony was a Senior Lecturer in Social, Economic and Political Ethics, and the Philosophy of Religion, at Newman University, Birmingham.
July 12 - Faith and the Democratic: Should faith-based traditions engage in politics?
September 13 - God in a post-secular world: Can we speak meaningfully about God today?
