Volume 40, Issue 11 - Oct. 25, 2017

Page 1

The Student Newspaper of MSU Denver

mymetmedia.com

VOL. 40

@themetonline

NO. 10

October 25, 2017

themetropolitan

Faith, violence and intersection By Maria Muller mmuller4@msudenver.edu Almost 3,000 people died on 9/11. An estimated 1.7 people died in the Crusades. And between 3-11.5 million people died in the Thirty Years’ War. These are just a drop in the flood of religious conflicts that have resulted in high death tolls. In an effort to understand how religion is misused and exploited, MSU Denver hosted “Where Faith and Violence Coincide” on Oct. 18 at St Cajetan’s Church.

“The idea is to promote tolerance and talk about the issues in open and genuine ways, and have people join in more of the human challenge of trying to live together in peace.” -Professor Harvey Milkman The event began at 9 a.m. and it included a variety of MSU Denver’s academic departments and scholars from around the world. They shared ideas and discussed solutions to the violence that often results when religion is forced or misunderstood. The church filled to its 250 person capacity to hear the keynote speaker, Alaa Murabit. The colloquium closed with three dances by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance group that touched on spirituality and faith. “The idea is to promote tolerance and talk about the issues in open and genuine ways,” said Professor Harvey Milkman, the events coordinator and creator. “And have people join in more of the human challenge of trying to live together in peace.” The invited scholars touched on the history of religion to support their concepts. Professor Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi teaches psychology at the University of Haifa, Israel. He theorized that our love of kin, of our families and people who share our culture and language, can lead to violence in the course of defending them. “If we look at history, I would like to claim that all humans and all human groups are equally capable of atrocities,” said Beit-Hallahmi. “They’re convinced they are only defending their identities and the truth.” Beit-Hallahmi explained that for 99.9 percent of us, our religion is chosen by our parents. Whatever faith we are born into tends to be the one we choose for life. Beit-Hallahmi said some people are more critical and independent, they are ready to ask questions and doubt. He feels that’s why a lot of academics aren’t religious. Photo by Ali Watkins | awatkin9@msudenver.edu

| Continued on pg. 8

Ralaya Goshea performing “Spiritual Suite” during the closing reception for the Where Faith and Violence Coincide colloquium on Oct. 18

INSIDE

NEWS | pg. 2 Students push back on Title IX rollback

OPINION | pg. 4 Before we boldly go: Science and its legacy

FEATURES | pg. 9 Arvada theater showcases comedic talent

SPORTS | pg. 10 Regionals next for cross country


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