Next Week: World Methodist Conference and Chautauqua on Islam

A rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Methodist church, and two of the world’s foremost thinkers on Islam – we can’t imagine a more informative week for those interested in world religion. Here’s what to watch.

August 4-8 – World Methodist Conference

With 76 denominations in 132 countries representing 75 million people, the World Methodist Council is one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world. Held once every five years, this conference brings together top Methodist leaders to discuss the church’s role in education, family life, and youth programs, as well as to coordinate worldwide evangelism efforts. This year’s conference attendees will gather in Durban, South Africa, under the theme, “Jesus Christ — for the Healing of the Nations.”

August 8 – Robin Wright at Chautauqua

Leading foreign policy analyst Robin Wright will discuss the increasing importance of Islam in Middle Eastern politics at the Chautauqua Institution’s series, “Iran: From Ancient Persia to Middle East Powder Keg.” Journalist, foreign policy analyst, and editor of The Iran Primer, a definitive look at Middle East politics, Wright will talk about how the Islamic political scene is likely to evolve over the next decade. She has reported from more than a 140 countries on six continents for The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Sunday Times of London, CBS News and The Christian Science Monitor.

Watch Robin Wright on-demand at FORA.tv.

August 12 – Karen Armstrong at Chautauqua

In what’s sure to be another fascinating look at religion, the Chautauqua Institution on August 12 presents “Religion in Iran: The Many Faces.”  Highly sought-after speaker Karen Armstrong, a former Roman Catholic nun, will discuss Iran’s sectarian scene. Educated in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Armstrong is one of the world’s most prolific authors on Western religion. She has garnered praise for building bridges between the world’s great religions, based largely on the ideas of the Abrahamic Faith. She was one of the 2008 winners of the TED Prize, chosen as “one of the most provocative, original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world.”

Watch Karen Armstrong at Chautauqua, on-demand at FORA.tv.