World Religions Café

The World Religions Café is a regular series featuring informal presentations by CSWR scholars in residence on topics related to their research interests. CSWR scholars in residence include PhD students, fellows, and visiting professors in religious studies. The café sessions provide opportunities for intellectual and social exchange and generate lively discussion among the members of the CSWR community, as well as the many other students and scholars at Harvard and other area institutions who may share their particular interests.

As with other events at the CSWR, this series is free and open to the public. All sessions are held in the CSWR Common Room, at 42 Francis Avenue. The sessions are held on Wednesday evenings, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Beverages and light refreshments are provided. No reservations are required.

2007-08 Events

October 10: Would the Buddha Buy an SUV? The Philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy"

With Donald Swearer. 

October 24: Burying the Dharma: New Light on Japanese Sutra Burials

With Heather Blair. 

November 7: What Kind of Person Could Be a Torturer?

With John P. Reeder, Jr.

November 14: Mary: Old Testament Pneumatological Approaches to the Mother of Jesus

With Sabine Wagner. 

November 28: Nyau Cult in Traditional Chewa Society of Central Malawi

With Jonathan Nkhoma. 

February 6: Reading and Learning Religiously: Teaching Traditions Through Their Classics

With Francis X. Clooney. 

February 13: In Search of Jesus: How Can Archaeology Assist?

With Sean Freyne.

February 27: The Translatability of Religious Self-Awareness: Reflections Regarding Japan

With Dennis Hirota. 

March 12:  The Temple That Won't Quit (or Jesus Does Disney): Constructing Sacred Space in Orlando's Holy Land Theme Park

With Joan Branham. 

April 9: Liberating Saartji Baartman: Unearthing the Sacred Erotic in African Female Sexuality

With Elana Jefferson. 

April 30: African Cultural Heritage and Christianity: Some Theological, Ethical, and Human Rights Questions

With Andrew Igenoza.