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Spring 2002
3/17 - Shared
Values for the Worcester Community - Discussion Leader: Fran Manocchio
Among the World's religions, there is disagreement about a deity and about
salvation after death. There are different holy books, rituals, acts and
ceremonies. But there is much agreement about basic codes of conduct, i.e.
codes of conduct. In February, after many months of discussion, the
Worcester Interreligious Forum (a program of the Worcester Regional Chapter
of the National Conference for Community and Justice) released a statement
for the Worcester community. In short paragraphs, seven values and behaviors
that reflect the values are described and are complement by suggestions on
how to use the statement to help a person or a group move towards the
behaviors suggested. The launch of the Statement was a conference at Holy
Cross' Hogan Center, cosponsored by the Center for Religion, Ethics and
Culture. The conference successfully demonstrated a methodology for small
group discussion. Our ROT session will provide an opportunity for such
discussions. For a preview, copies of the Statement are on the Information
Table. Fran Manocchio, who recently joined First U, is Executive Director of
Worcester NCCJ and has played a key role in the values project.
3/24 - Middle
East Terrorists, Islam and the West - Discussion Leader:
George Lane
Last October, George led a discussion of this topic that was very well
attended and well received. Many of those present hoped that he would come
back again. At this session, he will revisit the situation in the Middle
East and provide his views on progress and disappointments and the present
directions and philosophy or our nation's leaders. George Lane is a former
ambassador with extensive experience in the Middle East. He now lives in
Westminster and is a visiting professor at Holy Cross and Clark.
4/7 - The Global
Economy, Terrorism and Poverty - Discussion Leader:
Richard Ford
Is the relief of poverty and spreading democracy a long range solution to
terrorism? Has the global economy, increasingly guided and controlled by
multinational corporation, been effective in relieving poverty and
protecting the environment. What has been/should be the role of the World
Bank and the International Monetary Fund? First U member Dick Ford is
emeritus professor of history at Clark University and was co-director of the
International Development Program until his retirement last year. He
continues to be very active in his long-standing research and field work to
improve the effectiveness of rural villages in underdeveloped countries in
Africa and elsewhere.
4/28 - Changing
the Rules to Limit Corporate Power - Discussion Leader:
Bill Densmore
What does the Enron scandal tell us about excessive corporate power and
influence over our democracy. What "rule changes" are needed regarding
such
issues as corporate obligations to "we the people', corporate governance
structure, financial reporting, and conflict of interest and self-dealing
among directors, officers, auditors and stock analysts? Can we use
government to control the excesses of free market capitalism without hurting
the spirit of invention and enterprise that has brought such great
prosperity to the nation?
5/5 - Affluenza
- Symptoms and Treatment - Discussion Leader: Bill Densmore
A bumper sticker reads, "5% of the World's people use a third of the
resources and make nearly half the waste. That 5% is US." Does this make
you
proud or embarrassed? Is our huge consumption excessive? Does it really
bring the happiness that our Constitution empowers us to pursue? Must we
consume more and more to have a healthy economy? We'll discuss these issues
after viewing a portion of a videotape of a PBS program, AFFLUENZA, which
"takes a look at American's dogged efforts to keep up with the Jones, the
impact of advertising and how to cure this depression-causing,
purse-depleting plague."
5/19 - Compassionate
End-of-Life Care - Discussion Leader: Dr. Brownell
Wheeler with Jan Yost and Bill Densmore
Since 1996, First U member Dr. Wheeler has devoted much time and effort to
improving the health care system's treatment of people with terminal
illness. Now this is being broadened to a broad-based community effort.
There is a critical need for each of us consider how we wish to be treated,
in consultation with our family and to "make our wishes known"via
a health
care proxy. Dr. Wheeler and a steering committee including Jan Yost and Bill
Densmore have defined a tentative community approach involving the health
care system, faith groups, the legal community and social service agencies.
We will describe this and seek reactions and advice
Religion in Our Times is held on Sundays from 12-1:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester and is organized by Associate Minister, The Rev. Thomas Schade, and members of the Adult Programs Committee.
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