The Modesto Junior College Civic Engagement Project will host the "Faith and the Environment Panel Discussion: Challenges and Solutions" at 7 p.m. Thursday in Forum 110 on MJC's East Campus, 435 College Ave. The free event is part of the CEP Fall Film and Lecture Series. Campus parking is available for $1 in student parking lots.
The aim of the event is to have an informative, collegial, and respectful discussion about different perspectives and approaches to environmental issues by local faith based groups. The panelists, representing four different religious communities in the Central Valley, will respond to two related questions:
• Given your understanding of present environmental challenges and possible remedies for these challenges and problems, what does your particular faith-based tradition say, or imply, about these matters, if anything at all?
• Based on your faith tradition's view on the first question, does your faith-based tradition ask of its members that they adopt specific behaviors or beliefs regarding environmental challenges and their possible solutions?
Panelists will include Louise Johnson from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Modesto, a founding member of the Environmental Justice Project of the Catholic Diocese of Stockton, who holds a Master's degree in Pastoral Studies with a focus on Religion and Ecology; Garth Aderholt, Pastor of Equipping and Care at Shelter Cove Community Church in Modesto, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies; Mohammed El Farra, Imam of the Islamic Center in Manteca; Andy Young, Soto Zen Buddhist Priest for the Valley Heartland Zen Group and a Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Stanislaus, and Bhajan Singh Bhinder, founder of the Sikh Information Centre in Lathrop.
The discussion will be moderated by MJC Professor of Philosophy Bill Anelli. Following the panel presentation he will also moderate a public question and answer period. For questions related to this event contact Professor Anelli at 214-7007 or anellib@mjc.edu.