Religion, the Public Good, and the Research Insitution with Dr. Richard A. Rosengarten, Dean of the Divinity School, The University of Chicago

Dr. Richard Rosengarten was the first keynote speaker at the Niagara Foundations new location, at 205 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. Dr. Rosengarten delivered a speech entitled Religion, the Public Good, and the Research University. From an admittedly American standpoint, Dr. Rosengarten spoke about the intersection of the three areas, and the problems and potential possibilities concerning dialogue and learning that their conjunction make possible; as well as their relevance as separate entities.
Among the issues discussed, were the necessity of evidence and argument in the area of religion, which Dr. Rosengarten recognizes as a subject too rarely discussed when its importance is taken into account. Also discussed was religion as a historical force and a cultural phenomenon, with religion being aptly seen as a shaper of the behavior of individuals and entire communities.

Guests at the luncheon forum were provided with a question and answer period after Dr. Rosengartens presentation, of which they took full advantage. Among the topics brought up by guests through their questions were: the novels currently preferred by Dr. Rosengarten in regards to teaching; the presence and place of religious belief in relation to the upcoming election; the matter of whether the United States is in the middle of a culture war, and what we must do to end that war; the reconciling of fiction, faith and reality; and a question regarding the often unacknowledged relevance of the apocrypha to Christianity today. Dr. Rosengarten’s responses to the questions asked were both thoughtful and significant.

The Niagara Foundation would like to take this opportunity to again thank Dr. Rosengarten for his generous and interesting contribution to our luncheon forum series.