Lecture Series Considers How To ‘Go Beyond Violence’

The need to “go beyond violence” has become an international rallying cry … but how exactly might we do that? Seven UW–Madison faculty members will consider the problem from a variety of scholarly perspectives as part of the Madison Urban Ministry’s 1997-98 lecture series, “Beyond Violence: A Shared Dialogue on Judgment, Guilt and Forgiveness.”

Harold Scheub, professor of African languages and literature, will open the series Sept. 9 with “Stories of Violence, Hopes for Reconciliation.” Scheub has studied efforts by South African citizens to heal divisions by telling stories about persecutions suffered under authoritarian regimes. Scheub will consider whether such stories might become the means for reconciliation. His lecture will be held in Bethany United Methodist Church, 3910 Mineral Point Road.

Also in the series:

• “How would judgment, guilt and forgiveness function in a non-violent world?” by Joseph Elder, professor of sociology and South Asian studies, Oct. 14, Lake Edge United Church of Christ, 4200 Buckeye Road. Elder will examine the dynamics of judgment, guilt and forgiveness in a cross-cultural context.
• “Who judges the bystander? Who forgives the bystander? Who IS the bystander?” by Robert Skloot, professor of theatre and drama and Jewish studies, Nov. 11, Our Lady Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Drive. Fifty years after the European Holocaust, how should judgment and forgiveness be rendered?
• “To err is human – isn’t forgiveness human too?” by Beverly Flanigan, clinical professor of social work, Dec. 9, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2019 Fisher St. Some believe violent responses are aberrations; are the forces of forgiveness then innate?
• “How does the ‘law of the land’ justify its own violence?” by Linda S. Greene, professor of law, Feb. 10, Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St. What are the implications of state violence against citizens?
• “Where do you go when the church’s judgment writes you off?” by Robert Najem, professor emeritus of liberal studies, April 14, Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd. Najem will use James Joyce’s “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” to demonstrate how the distortion of the Bible leads a person to lose his religion.
• “How could you ever forgive THAT!!?” by Robert Enright, professor of educational psychology, May 12, Blackhawk Evangelical Free Church, 110 N. Whitney Way. An expert on psychological dimensions of forgiveness, Enright will examine exactly how people forgive and the outcomes of that process.

In addition to the university faculty, Sharon Rader of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches will speak March 10 at First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave. Her topic will be “How many times must I confess and forgive?”

Each lecture will begin at 6 p.m. and cost $5, which will include an evening meal. Reservations are required; contact the Madison Urban Ministry, (608) 256-0906, 1127 University Ave., Madison, WI 53715.