LIFEMATTERS REALITYBITES

Forthcoming LIFEMATTERS events December 2009 - June 2010 WYSOCS can offer you an unparalleled opportunity over these coming months: three world-class speakers - and each of them giving us three lectures. Not to be missed. Watch the website www.wysocs.org.uk for further details. Tuesday 9 to Wednesday 10 March 2010 Prof. Emeritus Roy Clouser of the College of New Jersey Co-sponsored by WYSOCS and the Metropolitan University of Leeds: This will be the first in a series of events co-sponsored by WYSOCS and the Institute for Spirituality, Religion & Public Life at Leeds Metropolitan University, to feature contributions by Christian, Jewish and Muslim scholars.  Date & Time: Tuesday 9 March, at 7.30pm The myth of religious neutrality The case for Christian philosophy as expounded in Clouser’s book of the same title. What is a religious view of reality?  What do paganism and the 'new atheism' have in common?  Clouser's approach, while distinctively Christian, appeals to all theistic religions, setting the scene for future talks in this series.           Venue: Outwood House, Outwood Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4HP Date & Time: Wednesday 10 March, 12-1pm Does religion have any right to be in the public square? A Reformational view of the church, the state and other elements of modern society.  Why should anyone listen to religious views on public affairs?  Where should Christians make space for other religions?  What is the Christian politician's calling? Venue: Priestley Hall 105, Headingley Campus, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds  LS6 3QS Date & Time: Wednesday 10 March, 5.30–7.00pm Global responsibility - a North American Christian perspective What worldviews shape American culture, politics and churches?  What can we learn from them?  Roy will challenge some myths in (and about) U.S. Christianity. Venue: James Graham Lecture Theatre C, Headingley Campus, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds  LS6 3QS Booking: Please fill in the contact form on our web site to say which events you are coming to, or phone 0113 258 1569. Admission: Each event is £2.50 for wage-earners, free for students and the unwaged. Monday 17 May 2010 Rev Dr Dale Kuehne [details to follow] Date & Time: Monday 17th May at 7.30pm Venue: Outwood House, Outwood Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4HP Saturday 29 May 2010 Dr Duncan Roper, formerly of the University of Western Sydney [details to follow] Date & Time: Saturday 29th May [times to be confirmed] Questions of Sovereignty and Settler Colonialism with reference to New Zealand Venue: Outwood House, Outwood Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4HP Friday 11 and Saturday 12 June 2010 Bishop Tom (NT) Wright of Durham Date & Time: [details to follow] WYSOCS AT HOME A lecturer's audience in the Barn Post-lecture discussion spills over into the garden. This year REALITYBITES teaching has been given to sixty school students taking the increasingly popular Religious Studies courses at GCSE, AS and A2 levels in Chelmsford. The topics were Naturalism, the Sanctity of Life and the Problem of Evil. Another part of REALITYBITES is being used throughout this year in a series of Urban Saints (formerly Crusaders) training days around the UK.  For the full programme and details, see http://www.energize.uk.net/documents/2007TrainingPublicity.pdf In a third venture, a series entitled ‘Living in the Real World’ is about to begin at South Parade Baptist Church in Leeds.  Details to follow. Ethos and wider applications REALITYBITES is an exciting menu of programmes designed for both Christians and non-Christians. For churches and Christian organisations, the programme is designed to enable Christians to understand people’s dreams and worldviews, gain a Biblical worldview for themselves, and acquire the tools and skills for dynamic engagement with the ideas of others. We want to help Christians learn how to bring the gospel into their conversations about topical issues and do so intelligently and without fear or embarrassment. For non-Christians (e.g. in schools and businesses) the programme is designed to challenge the practical atheism and emotivism (‘truth’ decided by feelings) that have become the default positions of so many people today. We want to expose and critique the hidden assumptions, and present a Christianity that is rich and attractive. In Biblical language the programme is designed to unmask the hidden idolatries that are all-pervasive in Western culture. Turn on the radio, switch on the television and you will encounter sophisticated forms of idolatry (consumerism, emotivism, and the worship of science, technology and economic growth) that cry out for intelligent Christian analysis and critique. Also, see Resources.