Confronting Extremist Violence, the Refugee Crisis, and Fear: Faith Responses

Recorded on May 19th at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library.
Newspaper and TV coverage of the Syrian / Iraqi refugee crisis and the threat of extremist violence generates great fear and concern. Unfortunately this fear does not stimulate thoughtful or reasoned responses, nor ones that look to our core belief systems and faith values.

Should our response to extremist violence be violence or are there others ways to respond? Should we welcome refugees from Syria or close our borders? Hear faith leaders discuss these and other issues challenging us at home and abroad.

Panel members include:
* Dr. Vernon Howard, President of Southern Christian Leadership Conference of GKC, Senior Pastor St. Marks Union Church;
* Fadi Banyalmarjeh, Islamic Society Of Greater Kansas City Board Member and from Syria;
* Rabbi Linda Steigman, Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City Board Member; and
* Father Paul Turner, Pastor of St. Anthony Parish and Bishop Johnston’s Ecumenical Representative.

Preceding the panel, instructor of military history, Lt. Col. Brian Steed, provided a strategic context for our discusssion.

The forum was moderated by Bill Tammeus, retired KC Star columnist.

Sponsored by The American Friends Service Committee, The Kansas City Interfaith Council, and The Kansas City Public Library.


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