Religious Peacebuilding

University of Houston
February 24, 2011

Martin Marty's "Religious Peace Building"

With an excellent turn out of academic colleagues and students, the University of Houston Hilton's Conrad ballroom was filled to hear Prof. Martin Marty's words on "Religious Peace Building".  For some individuals this seems like an oxymoron to hear due to the media's highlights in religious conflict and individuals suggesting the eradication religion there will be peace.  However, Martin Marty states that the worst atrocities of man were not committed by religion but  the lack of understanding of it.

Although religions differ on the outside, they share common themes. Peace is one that seems to be overlooked. Individuals who highlight the negative aspects on a religion will not see the whole message in the end. "A religion starts with peace and ends with peace" states Martin Marty as he describes individuals who focus on only the negative aspect of a holy book. In order for communities to form a bridge of peace and prosperity, the community must develop a respect of their religion and others as well.

The Gülen Institute appreciates Prof. Martin Marty to share his experience to the audience. We hope this enlightening experience sparks others to build their own peace bridges to neighboring communities.

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Martin E. Marty (b. February 5, 1928, West Point, Nebraska) is an American Lutheran religious scholar who has written extensively on 19th century and 20th century American religion. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1956, and served as a Lutheran pastor from 1952 to 1962 in the suburbs of Chicago. From 1963 to 1998 he taught at the University of Chicago Divinity School, held an endowed chair, and now holds emeritus status.

He has served St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota since 1988 as Regent, Board Chair, Interim President in late 2000, and now as Senior Regent. He has been a columnist for The Christian Century magazine since 1956. He has authored over 5,000 articles and been conferred with 75 honorary doctorates. His published works include Righteous Empire: The Protestant Experience in America (1970), for which he won the National Book Award, the encyclopedic five-volume Fundamentalism Project, co-edited with historian R. Scott Appleby, and the biography, Martin Luther (2004). Marty is the father of Minnesota State Senator John Marty and of the Rev. Peter Marty who is currently the host of the ELCA radio ministry Grace Matters. In 2000, he was a critic of the Holy Office’s document on relativism, Dominus Iesus.

If you would like to join us at this exciting occasion, you are welcome to click on the following link:

www.guleninstitute.org/rsvp