Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC Sponsors Religion and Spirituality Series

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – A six-week series on religion and spirituality is being co-sponsored this winter by Portland Community College and Portland State University’s Center for the Study of Religion. The non-credit series will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 12, at PSU’s Center for the Study of Religion, 633 S.W. Montgomery. The cost for the entire series is $55. Tuition for individual sessions is $20. The series begins Jan. 8 with Portraits of Jesus, an examination of the differing portrayals of Jesus of Nazareth: messiah, revolutionary, moral teacher, compassionate care-giver, social reformer and divine being. The discussion will be led by Dr. Doug Donkel and the Rev. Richard Hartman. The series continues Jan. 15 with The Debate Between Creationism and Evolution. Dr. Patrick Dinsmore will lead a discussion about the ongoing debate and conflict over the evolution and creationist theories of origin. Stereotyping the Muslim World on Jan. 22 will explore common stereotypes of Islam and the Muslim world. Facilitator Mona Goode will speak about the treatment of women, the practice of jihad, and Muslim society. The life, theology and spirituality of Julian of Norwich, who lived in the 14th century, is the topic of the Jan. 29 session, titled Julian Mysticism. Frodo Okulam, author of The Julian Mystique, will explore Julian of Norwich’s famous saying, "All will be well, all will be well, and everything will be well,"and her theology of Jesus as Mother. The Rev. Eko Noble, a master of Shingo Esoteric Buddhism, will lead a discussion of Buddhism and Ethics in Modern Society on Feb. 5. He will explore the history of Buddhist ethics and the contribution this religion is making in Western society, particularly in the areas of bio-ethics, the environment, inter-religious dialogue and spiritual practice.The series concludes Feb. 12 with a presentation of the film Tibet’s Stolen Child. The film documents several of the social, religious and political issues surrounding Tibet and its Buddhist culture. Rev. Noble will lead a post-film discussion. For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-614-7307.