Walter H. Capps Center (audio)

Rabbi Michael Lerner, an outspoken advocate of religious pluralism, and Michael Novak, a Roman Catholic social theorist and director of Social and Political Studies at the American Enterprise Institute debate the place of religion in American politics. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 13170]

The Rev. Dr. George F. Regas is Rector Emeritus of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California and Executive Director of the Regas Institute. As a spiritual progressive who believes passionately that religious communities must stop blessing war and violence, Regas examines the war machine and American exceptionalism that fuels much of the U.S. foreign policy today. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 12994]

Governor Schwarzenegger has talked about a "bi-partisan" second term. Author Joe Mathews describes the elements of the grand bargain that the governor wants to strike with Democrats whether this will materially improve life in the state or cement the status quo. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 12226]

Kevin Phillips examines the axis of religion, politics, and borrowed money that threatens to destroy the nation. He maintains that every world-dominating power has been brought down by a related set of causes: a lethal combination of global over-reach, militant religion, resource problems, and ballooning debt. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Show ID: 12093]

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Martin Luther King, Jr.,Taylor Branch explores America in the King years, 1965-68. Presented by the Walter H. Capps Center at UCSB. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 11464]

What is properly secular and what is legitimately religious in American politics? Americans are uncertain and divided about those questions. Join Peter Steinfels as he explores these questions and contemplates the new demands on being an active citizen in a pluralist America. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 11756]

Born between 1962-1982, Gen-Xers grew up with computers, video games, and MTV. Who are they and what are their values, beliefs, and world views? Wade Clark Roof, Director of the Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion, and Public Life at UCSB explores how are they changing American religion and notions of spirituality. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 11504]

With the publication of 1992’s In My Father’s House, Kwame Anthony Appiah claimed his place at the forefront of African-American literary and cultural studies. A professor of philosophy at Princeton, he discusses how Western intellectuals and leaders have exaggerated the power of difference while neglecting the power of commonality. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 11468]

Mario Garcia talks about his new book called “Padre: The Spiritual Journey of Father Virgil Cordano” that deals with the story of a priest's tumultuous and challenging journey toward his place in the Catholic Church. An oral history life-story of Father Virgil Cordano, now the spiritual head of Santa Barbara's Old Mission, Garcia's book also discusses the emerging freedom of the Catholic lay community, the shifting winds of change within the Church and the agonizing effects of the sexual abuse crisis. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 11280]

Jeff Greenfield, CNN Senior Analyst and Time Magazine columnist examines the ongoing tension between traditional ethics and modern politics in this inaugural address for the Capps Forum on Ethics at UC Santa Barbara. Among the questions Greenfield raises are whether politicians truly debate the serious issues of the day, whether major media outlets provide honest and rigorous analysis of those issues and whether voters care one way or the other. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 11164]

Jonathan Rauch and Maggie Gallagher present differing views on the definition of marriage. Jonathan Rauch is a senior writer and columnist for the National Journal. His latest book is "Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America." Maggie Gallagher is President of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy and a co-author of "The Case for Marriage." Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 9865]

In this inaugural event in the Martin E. Marty Lectureship on Religion in American Life at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Professor Marty provides a map for those who wish to increase their understanding of the various spiritualities available in America today. He probes what people mean when they identify themselves as spiritual, and explores some of the wildly disparate options and competitive offerings on the 'spirituality' front. Martin E. Marty is widely regarded as the most prominent interpreter of American religion and culture today. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 9528]

Professor Eck is interviewed by Professor Wade Clark Roof, Director of the Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion and Public Life at UC Santa Barbara. Their conversation centers on the growing diversity of religious thought in America and the impact that this is having on American culture and society. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 9411]

God is not dead in America, but the old-time religion has virtually disappeared. Leading American social critic, Alan Wolfe, discusses the transformation in American religion over the last five decades. Series: "Ethics, Religion and Public Life: Walter H. Capps Center Series" [Humanities] [Show ID: 8577]