Role of Religion in Society Draws Large Crowd

By Harumi Kawamura

recent public dialogue on campus on the role of religion in society was very well attended, suggesting that the issues surrounding religion are very much on people's minds. After speaking at the evening forum, Fairfield University Professor Ronald M. Davidson commented on the refreshing international character of the UB community. The event was undeniably a show of the diversity UB's students and faculty, as panel speakers sought to answer the question "Does religion have a role in shaping a moral globalizing society?"

The program presented the answers from seven different perspectives. For nearly two hours, atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Unificationism made their cases in front of an audience of nearly 130 people in Carlson Hall.

The moderator, Professor Timothy Eves, kept the evening charged with humor and anticipation as he introduced both a student and an expert to represent each perspective. Referring to such beliefs and practices as the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and the dietary laws of Judaism, as well as the key element of the family in Unificationism, all religions said "yea" to religion's positive role. Atheism, naturally, said "nay," referring to, among other reasons, religion's shady role in historical conflicts.

The program did not seek to reach a conclusion or spotlight a particular perspective, and for this reason all seven outlooks worked with an equal share of time. The result was the realization that religion plays a variety of roles in human society. The successful interaction and dialogue among the different perspectives seemed to say "nay" to the clashes of civilizations predicted by such political scientists such as Samuel Huntington.