Faith, Citizenship, and the Environment: Tipping Points
Concern about the environment has been increasing since the 1960s in the United States, but it remains a second-tier issue—maybe even third-tier—for many Americans. What about for people of religious faith? Do we have any particular responsibilities when it comes to caring for the planet, or more generally for all of creation? At Seabeck this summer we will delve deeply into these matters. Specifically, we will consider how notions of citizenship (i.e., what it means to be a citizen) are changing among Americans, and how these changes relate to concern about the environment. We will think about these developments in terms of religious faith, politics, culture, and the economy.
Facilitators:
David Domke
David Domke worked as a journalist for several newspapers in the 1980s and early 1990s, including the Orange County Register and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, before earning a Ph.D. in 1996. He is now a Professor and Head of Journalism in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington. He is the author of a 2004 book that examines the religious rhetoric of the Bush administration and the mainstream press’s response, God Willing?: Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the “War on Terror,” and the Echoing Press (Pluto Press). His new book, The God Strategy: How Religion Became A Political Weapon in America, was published in January 2008 by Oxford University Press. In the last few years he has spoken about politics and communication with academic, political, religious, media, and public audiences around the country. In 2002 he received the University of Washington’s Distinguished Teaching Award, the university’s highest honor for teaching. In 2006 he was named the Washington state Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. And in spring 2008 he was selected as the favorite professor of the UW graduating class. He and his spouse, Rev. Lisa Domke, have two sons (William, 7, and Samuel, 19 months).
Corey Schlosser-Hall
Corey Schlosser-Hall grew up in the Dakotas and graduated from the University of Oregon. He earned a Ph.D. in Rhetoric & Organizational Communication from the University of Minnesota in 2002. He now serves as Executive Presbyter (similar to UCC Conference Minister) for the Presbytery of North Puget Sound, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., a denomination in full communion with the United Church of Christ. Prior to serving as Executive Presbyter, he served as Communications Director for the Presbytery of Seattle, taught at the University of Minnesota and Seattle University, led wilderness adventures, and helped start a technology training and consultancy firm in the early 90’s. He was selected by Presbyterians Today, the denomination’ monthly magazine, as one of “40 emerging leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)—young men and women, all under 40 (years of age), whose energy, commitment and fresh ideas already are influencing the denomination.” He and his spouse, Rev. Adrienne Schlosser-Hall, are parents of two daughters Maya Ruth (8 years) and Hannah Rose (5 years). He likes to play with his daughters, participate in triathlons, and listen to U2. He also sings in a rock band—“Eyes Wide Open”—to lead worship inspired by the music of U2.