Viewpoint - A Production of WPBT2

This Month on Viewpoint - July

Sunday, July 22 @ 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 24 @ 7:30 PM



Florida’s Religious Freedom Act
On this month’s program, we take a look at Amendment 8, or Florida’s Religious Freedom Act.  This proposal, appearing on the November 6th ballot, moves to repeal the “Blaine Amendment” which is the current constitutional ban of tax dollars used for religious purposes. Our panelists debate the pros and cons of this controversial initiative.

Guests:    
Dan Gelber, Former State Senator
Mike Hill, Citizens for Religious Freedom and Non-Discrimination
The Rev. Canon Lesley Northup, Florida International University
Most Rev. Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami

**For more information on Florida's Amendment 8, please visit the following links:

http://www.votenoon8.com
http://www.sayyeson8.com

This Month on Viewpoint - June

Sunday, June 24 @ 12:00 PM
Tuesday, June 26 @ 7:30 PM

 

Middle East Update
What started as an isolated protest in Tunisia over 18 months ago has grown to be a regional phenomenon. The Middle East and Northern Africa continue to be a caldron of political, social and religious turmoil.  We gathered a panel to revisit “The Arab Spring”.

Guests:
Daniel Alvarez, M.A., M.T.S., Florida International University
Shaikh Shafayat Mohamed, Darul Uloom Institute
Robert Rabil, Ph.D., Florida Atlantic University

This Month on Viewpoint - May

Sunday, May 27 @ 12:00 PM
Tuesday, May 29 @ 7:30 PM


Vatican Scolds U.S. Nuns
America’s Catholic nuns have been reprimanded by the Vatican over areas of concern which include the church's teaching on human sexuality, women's ordination, and “radical feminism".  We discuss how this rift may affect the church.

Guests:
Daniel Alvarez, M.A., M.T.S., Florida International University
Jacquelyn Loftus, Miami-Dade College
Edward Sunshine, Ph.D., Barry University

This Month on Viewpoint - April

Sunday, April 22 @ 12:00 PM
Tuesday, April 24 @ 7:30 PM


Women in Religion
The largest religious institutions are run by men; they limit women in leadership roles and personal behavior. These restrictions run the gamut from not being able to lead a church to not being able to leave your house.  Will cultural and social changes or changes in theology move these religions to be more accepting of women?

Guests:
Rabbi Jaime Klein Aklepi, Bet Breira Samu-El Or Olom
Rita das Mittal, Indian Religious and Cultural Center
Karen Shah, Broward Interfaith Council
Mary Carter Waren, D.Min., St. Thomas University

This Month on Viewpoint - March

Sunday, March 25 @ 12:00 PM
Tuesday, March 27 @ 7:30 PM



Pope Benedict XVI in Cuba
On March 26th, Pope Benedict XVI will visit Cuba to mark the 400th anniversary of El Cobre Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's patron saint.  We discuss the significance of this trip for Cubans living on the island and those in the exile community abroad.

Guests:
Rev. Alberto Cutié, Church of the Resurrection
Edward Sunshine, Ph.D., Barry University
Mary Carter Waren, D.Min., St. Thomas University

Listening with Love: The Coming Home Experience for Veterans and Military Families

On Friday, March 9, 2012, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm St. Thomas University’s Center for Loss and Healing will host a conference, “Listening with Love: The Coming Home Experience for Military Families.”  It will be a daylong conference for MILITARY, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS and their families to share their stories and for the community to listen and receive them. 

The facilitator of the day is Dr. Kathleen Regan Figley, President and Founder of Figley Institute, which offers traumatologist certification courses and workshops/presentations. Dr. Figley has been active in the disaster services profession since 1991 and specializes in trauma including the military, general public, and first responders, as well as compassion stress management; and crisis intervention services.  
Therapists, pastors, clergy, social workers, school guidance counselors, mental health counselors and anyone interested in better understanding the experience of military members and their families are encouraged to attend.

The purpose of the day is to deeply listen to experiences of war and of coming home.  This open dialogue will foster understanding in ways that you, your family, friends, school and community can make life easier for those who have served and their families.  Another expected outcome is that the community will become educated on the experiences of the military and their families during war time.

The Center for Loss and Healing has applied to the State of Florida to offer CEUs to qualified participants.  The cost of the event is $50 for those in need of CEUs and includes lunch, $25 without CEUs, and is free to STU staff, faculty and students.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Gunn (305) 628-6762 or kgunn@stu.edu.

This Month on Viewpoint - February

Sunday, February 26 @ 12:00 PM
Thursday, March 1 @ 7:30 PM


Student-Led Prayer Bill
The Florida Senate recently passed a bill allowing student-led prayer or other inspirational messages at public school events.  Is this an issue of freedom of speech or freedom of religion?

Guests:
David Barkey, Esq., Anti-Defamation League
Howard Simon, ACLU of Florida
James Summers, Northwest Baptist Church
Anthony Verdugo, Christian Family Coalition

This Month on Viewpoint - January

Sunday, January 22 @ 12:00 PM
Thursday, January 26 @ 7:30 PM


Changes in the Church
On January 1st, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI established the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.  This new diocese allows for Anglicans and Episcopalians to join fully with the Roman Catholic Church, including married priests. Does this contradict the church’s stance on celibacy?

Guests:
Daniel Alvarez, M.A., M.T.S., Florida International University
Lesley Northup, Ph.D., Florida International University
Edward Sunshine, Ph.D., Barry University
Mary Carter Waren, D.Min., St. Thomas University

This Month on Viewpoint - December (October Re-Air)

Due to the holidays, Viewpoint will not tape a new episode this month.  Instead, the October 'U.S. Religious Knowledge' program will air.

Sunday, December 25 @ 12:00 PM
Thursday, December 29 @ 7:30 PM
(Originally aired: 10/30 & 11/03)

U.S. Religious Knowledge
Amongst the world’s developed countries, the United States is said to be the most religious. Surprisingly, polls show many Americans know little about religion, including their own.  Will more religious education lead to tolerance? 

Guests:
William Current, Church of Jesus Christ
Rev. Robert Deshaies, St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church
Ken Loukinen, American Atheists
Mary Carter Waren, D.Min., St. Thomas University

This Month on Viewpoint - November

Sunday, November 27 @ 12:00 PM
Thursday, December 1 @ 7:30 PM


Mormonism and the 2012 Presidential Race
As we head into the 2012 elections, how much does a candidate's religion affect their electability?  Are Americans taking their bibles to the polls?

Guests:
Daniel Alvarez, M.A., M.T.S., Florida International University
William Current, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lesley Northup, Ph.D., Florida International University
Mary Carter Waren, D.Min., St. Thomas University