A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E C E N T E R F O R T H E S T U D Y O F R E L I G I O U S F R E E D O M | F A L L 2 0 1 5
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Kintsukuroi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer, increasing its value and enhancing its beauty.
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One of the most popular and powerful saints on the Mexican and American religious landscapes.

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M. SCOTT PECK
ken
F ractured relationships that lead to mistrust, fear, and alienation are at the heart of many of today’s most complex social problems. Cultural issues associated with religion, race, sexuality/gender, and politics are tearing at the seams of civil society and are overshadowing efforts to solve many of our most pressing problems.
Please join us throughout this year’s events, as we engage each other, get to know one another, and work together to repair broken relationships. Help us discover the beauty in our splintered world and create a stronger, more inclusive, and resilient community.
FALL 2015
E ach semester, the Center sponsors educational initiatives that both engage the campus community and reach beyond the College to invite the larger public into its ongoing exploration of religious freedom. Many programs are arranged in partnership with local organizations or faith communities, among them interfaith discussions; semester-long symposia; and student, faculty, and guest presentations.
Here’s a look at the activities planned for the fall 2015 semester.
ALL CSRF EVENTS ARE FREE
AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
(film)
Wednesday, September 2
8-10 PM | FINE ARTS 9
A showing of the film Becket will provide the backdrop for why the
Canterbury Pilgrims made their journey to Canterbury.
P RO G RA M M I N G & PA RT N E R S H I P S
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The
C
T
Co-sponsored with the VWC Art Department
The Canterbury Tales: Stories in Quilts
September 3 - October 23 | NEIL BRITTON GALLERY
Six Canterbury Tales quilts by internationally respected fabric artist
B. J. Elvgren, representing each of the five stories dramatized in
Chaucer’s work, plus the addition of an “Arrival” ending.
OPENING RECEPTION
Thursday, September 3 | 6-8 PM | NEIL BRITTON GALLERY
An opening reception with remarks by the artist B. J. Elvgren, and a Readers’ Theatre performance featuring Dr. Gillette Elvgren as Chaucer, and other pilgrims played by VWC professors Kellie
Holzer (English), Rebecca Hooker (English), Terry Lindvall
(communication and religious studies), Travis Malone
(theatre), Adam Ruh (English), and Jennifer Slivka (English).

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P RO G RA M M I N G & PA RT N E R S H I P S
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VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
An interdisciplinary series of twelve events, hosted by VWC, building on a collaborative, region-wide initiative.
As part of these discussions of what constitutes contemporary identity in
America, in spring 2016 the CSRF will host a series on religion and
race in Virginia and Hampton Roads.
Thursday, October 15
From Africa to America: Reconstructing the African American Musical Past
Sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music
11-11:50 AM | HOFHEIMER THEATER | FINE ARTS
The African American Spiritual: Symbol of Religious & Cultural Identity
Sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music
7 PM | HOFHEIMER THEATER | FINE ARTS
Dr. Mellonee Burnim, Professor of
Ethnomusicology, Indiana University
Tuesday, October 27
The Sounds of Africa
Sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music
Anthony Hailey, Founder/Executive Director,
The Mosaic Steel Orchestra
11-11:50 AM | HOFHEIMER THEATER | FINE ARTS
Saturday, November 7
Swinging Down the Red Road:
The Native Presence in Jazz, Blues, and Pop Music
Dr. Ron Welburn, Professor of English
University of Massachusetts Amherst
7 PM | PEARCE HOSPITALITY SUITE
BATTEN STUDENT CENTER
Wednesday, November 11
African Music to American Music
Dr. Daniel Margolies, Professor of History
7-8 PM | PEARCE HOSPITALITY SUITE
BATTEN STUDENT CENTER
Thursday, November 12
Black Music and the
Construction of American
Identity: Blues, Jazz, and
Hip-Hop
Dr. Dontraneil Clayborne,
Assistant Professor of
History, Santa Monica College and Tamanika Ferguson, Ph.D. candidate, Howard University
7 PM | PEARCE HOSPITALITY SUITE
BATTEN STUDENT CENTER
This series has been funded in part by a grant from Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.
N E X U S
S E R I E S
This hallmark CSRF program is co-sponsored with the Virginia Center for Inclusive
Communities. The fall 2015 series, “Religion in the Public Square,” will discuss conflicts that arise when the expression of faith intersects with public space.
Monday, October 12
Church Bells, the Muslim Call to
Prayer, and Negotiating Religious
Sound in Society
Dr. Isaac Weiner
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Ohio State University
7-8:30 PM | SHAFER ROOM | BOYD DINING HALL
Monday, November 16
Wearing My Religion: A Look at the
Hijab, Kippah, and Accessories in
American Life
Dr. Kathleen Casey , Professor of History, and
Teddy Wansink , CSRF Student Fellow
7-8:30 PM | SHAFER ROOM | BOYD DINING HALL
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Join us as we reflect on the First Amendment through discussion and displays of banned books.
Thursday, September 17
Burning Books, Banning Books, and
Religion: Free Speech and Free Libraries
Dr. Susan Larkin, Associate Professor of English, and Dr. Craig Wansink , CSRF Director, and students in ENG 286 Banned Books.
11-11:50 AM
PEARCE HOSPITALITY SUITE | BATTEN STUDENT CENTER
September 17 – October 3
Banned Religious Books and Books
Banned for Religious Reasons
In honor of 2015 National Banned Book
Week, an interactive book display will take place inside Hofheimer Library.
Wednesday, October 28
7-8:30 pm
, Blocker Auditorium
Dr. Andrew Chesnut, Bishop Walter
Sullivan Chair in Catholic Studies,
Professor of Religious Studies,
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of World Studies
P RO G RA M M I N G & PA RT N E R S H I P S
S anta Muerte, a skeleton saint who is believed to be the most effective miracle worker, has attracted the devotion of millions of Latin Americans and immigrants in the
U.S., including drug traffickers. Although condemned by mainstream churches, her statuettes and paraphernalia outsell those of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Saint Jude, iconic giants of Mexican religiosity. Chesnut will discuss how Santa Muerte has become the patron saint of drug traffickers and one of the most popular and powerful saints on the
Mexican and American religious landscapes.
FOOD for
Opportunities for VWC faculty, staff, students, and members of the broader community to come together for food and fellowship.
11:30 AM
- 1:30
PM
CSRF OFFICE SUITE | CLARKE HALL
Friday, September 11
Remembering 9/11:
Rethinking Religion
Featuring Tear Soup: A Recipe for
Healing After Loss by Pat Schwiebert
Friday, October 16
What is WFD?
Take action against hunger on World
Food Day! Any cash and non-perishable food donations will support the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.
Co-sponsored with the Center for Experiential
Learning
Friday, November 6
Satyagraha and Mulligatawny
Commemorating Gandhi’s November 6,
1913 arrest, launching his legacy of nonviolent resistance. In collaboration with Dr. Kellie Holzer, Assistant Professor of English with expertise in Colonial India.
Friday, December 4
A Celebration of Student Art
A display of artwork created for the
Center by photography and graphic arts students from Professor Sharon
Swift’s courses.
In “Life Matters,” members of the Wesleyan community offer autobiographical reflections on their emotional, intellectual, and spiritual experiences. All programs are in the Shafer Room of Boyd Dining Center from
12-12:50 p.m. If you wish, you may bring a bag lunch or purchase lunch in the dining center.
The series is co-sponsored with the Chaplain’s Office, and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged
Learning (INTEL).
Thursday, October 1
Dr. Sharon Payne,
Professor Emerita of Social Work
Thursday, November 5
Dr. Terry Lindvall, C.S. Lewis Endowed Chair and
Professor in Communication and Christian Thought
Saturday, September 26
10TH ANNUAL
Free activities for all ages, including drumming, music, poetry, and much more. For a complete schedule of events visit: onelovefestivalva.org
Noon - 9:30 PM | VWC COLLEGE CAMPUS
Town Hall Discussion: The Flag is Down:
Now What?
Moderated by Barbara Hamm Lee, host of “Another View” heard on WHRV 89.5 FM
2–3:30 PM | BOYD DINING CENTER
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N E W S T U D E N T I N I T I AT I V E S AT T H E C E N T E R
In January 2015, Dr. Eric Mazur offered a new annual course that will introduce students to the purposes and strategies of lobbying and religious advocacy. During the course, students addressed the Norfolk City
Council (advocating the removal of religious bias in municipal yard-sale ordinances), state legislators in
Richmond (advocating the removal of religion-based restrictions for those applying for an absentee ballot), and met with Congressman Robert “Bobby” Scott.
This coming year the Center will oversee the creation of a student-managed online journal, RELIGIO & LEX. Under the guidance of CSRF Fellow Eric Mazur and an advisory board including scholars of religion throughout the United
States, the annual journal will publish works by undergraduate and graduate students from around the country. The works will explore issues of religion and law, broadly conceived to include not only the laws of government but also the legal systems functioning within religious communities.
Self-flagellation, polygamy, serpent handling, and genital surgery all have been seen as unacceptable by mainstream society. Yet, societies differ in how they approach these issues. Starting in January 2016, students in a new course,
RELST 365: Extreme Religion and Religious Freedom, will explore the relationship between the physical body and the law across religions and cultures.
Starting in fall 2015, students will have the opportunity to take an internship through the CSRF to gain field experiences with government agencies, non-profits, or religious organizations. The end result of the internship
is described well through two questions from Robert
Greenleaf’s The Servant as Leader:
In early September, the Virginia Center for Inclusive
Communities will lead students in a course on
“Facilitation Skills 101.” Participants will learn how to create effective dialogue across lines of differences.
As we seek to equip and deploy a new generation of leaders, we are honored to have Jasmine Burrell
(pictured right), Teddy Wansink, and Riley Conrad serve as our first three Student Fellows. Please join us as they present their work and research this fall and in spring 2016.
N E W S T U D E N T I N I T I AT I V E S AT T H E C E N T E R
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On May 1, 2015 at the College’s Honors Convocation, the Center presented to Riley Conrad – a first-year religious studies major from South Riding, Virginia
– its first Distinguished Character Award. The award recognizes her service to others, her emphasis on justice, and her concern and involvement in building inclusive community.

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DR. CRAIG WANSINK A s the Center’s Vision 2020 statement reads, “Through
high-impact learning experiences, the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom informs, transforms, and equips VWC students and others to be engaged leaders and citizens, as they increasingly understand why religious
freedom is a basic human right of daily significance.”
During the first half of 2015, that vision led the Center off campus (presenting regularly both in a senior center and in the Bayside community), it resulted in some unusually timed programs (starting at 9 p.m.), it took students abroad
(to Germany, France, and Switzerland), it brought people together to see the connection between religious freedom and soup, it created an opportunity for meditation, and it resulted in intergenerational conversations.
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P A T H W A Y S F O R Y O U R E N G A G E M E N T
Here are some ways you can contribute to the Center’s success.
Have a seat at VWC and invite others. Our strongest events are characterized by good numbers, much give-and-take, and intergenerational audiences. At VWC we want to create the kind of process, dynamics, and atmosphere that will be replicated by others around the country. Come join us at events and be part of that.
Don’t give wine or chocolate. Looking for a gift for a birthday, anniversary,
Hanukkah, Christmas, Ramadan, Diwali, or another holiday? Honor a friend or relative by giving a donation to the Center. We will even send them a nice card.
Tell us where to go. We love sharing our vision or specific programs with civic groups, senior centers, synagogues, churches, masjidas, and temples, and we love getting our students engaged in doing the same. Invited into the community this year, we have spoken on Hampton Roads’ interfaith challenges, the Bible, and specific social issues and challenges with religious freedom. Tell us– kindly, please–where to go.
Share wild ideas. During our first year, we started programs that went until midnight. We had thoughtful discussions about topics ranging from UFOs to religious freedom and sibling rivalry. We were able to take 17 students to Wittenberg,
Germany, and the heart of the Reformation. We even linked religious freedom to the eating of soup on Fridays. We are always looking for creative and thoughtful ways we can reach out to others. Share your thoughts and ideas at kjackson@vwc.edu or
cwansink@vwc.edu.
Be our friend. Please “Like” the Center on Facebook to stay informed and to comment on ongoing developing news in the world of religious freedom. If you are known by the friends you keep, we would like to believe that our friendship is a meaningful and good one.
Redeem financial resources. Your financial support is important to us in so many ways, and your gift does make a difference. In addition, if you would be open to sponsoring a specific program or initiative, please let us know.
Thank you for your support.
27 Race, Rape, and the Challenges and Dark Side of Humor: From Key
and Peele to Amy Schumer
Dr. Leslie Caughell, Professor of Political
Science, and Dr. Rebecca Hooker,
Professor of English
Thursday, Noon-12:50 PM
Batten Convocation Center
27 Django Unchained (film)
CENTER AFTER DARK movie and discussion
Co-sponsored with RELST 238/338 African
American Religious Experience and the
Black Student Union
Moderated by Jasmine Burrell ’16,
Black Student Union
Thursday, 9-11 PM, Blocker Auditorium
2 Becket (film)
Co-sponsored with RELST 335 Christian
Theology and Film
Moderated by Dr. Terry Lindvall, C.S.
Lewis Endowed Chair and Professor in
Communication and Christian Thought
Wednesday, 8-10 PM , Rm. 9, Fine Arts
3 The Canterbury Tales: Stories in Quilts
Co-sponsored with VWC Art Department
Opening reception, Artist Talk by B. J.
Elvgren, and a Readers’ Theatre of Chaucer
Thursday, 6-8 PM , Neil Britton Art Gallery
Exhibition open from Sept. 3 - Oct. 23
11 Remembering 9/11: Rethinking Religion
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Soup on Friday Celebration
Friday, 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
CSRF Office Suite, Clarke Hall
12 Facilitation Skills 101 (by invitation only)
Training led by Jessica Hawthorne, Youth
Program Coordinator, Virginia Center for
Inclusive Communities
17 Burning Books, Banning Books, and
Religion: Free Speech and Free Libraries
CONSTITUTION DAY
Dr. Susan Larkin, Associate Professor
of English, and Dr. Craig Wansink,
CSRF Director
Thursday, 11-11:50 AM
Pearce Hospitality Suite, Batten Center
Banned Religious Books and Books
Banned for Religious Reasons
BOOK DISPLAY
Hofheimer Library, Sept. 17-Oct.3
21 The Mission (film)
Sponsored by RELST 335 Christian Theology and Film
Moderated by Dr. Terry Lindvall, Professor of Communication and Religious Studies
Monday, 8-10 PM, Rm. 9, Fine Arts
24 It’s Not Your (Founding) Fathers’ U.S.
Constitution: Do “We the People” Steer It?
DEAN’S DISCUSSION
Dr. Timothy O’Rourke
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Brown-bag discussion (bring your own lunch)
Thursday, Noon-12:50 PM
Shafer Room, Boyd Dining Center
26 10th Annual ONE LOVE FESTIVAL
Saturday, Noon-9:30 PM , VWC Campus
Town Hall Discussion:
The Flag is Down: Now What?
Moderated by Barbara Hamm Lee
2-3:30 PM, Boyd Dining Center
1 Life Matters: Dr. Sharon Payne
Co-Sponsored with the Chaplain’s Office,
Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged
Learning (INTEL), and the Social Work club
Thursday, Noon-12:50 PM
Shafer Room, Boyd Dining Center
To Kill a Mockingbird (film)
C ENTER AFTER DARK movie and discussion
Co-sponsored with ENG 250 American Women
Writers and Theta Alpha Kappa
Moderated by Adam Ruh,
Lecturer in English
Thursday, 9-11 PM, Blocker Auditorium
12 Church Bells, the Muslim Call to Prayer,
& Negotiating Religious Sound in Society
NEXUS Interfaith Dialogue: Religion in the
Public Square
Dr. Isaac Weiner, Assistant Professor of
Religious Studies, Ohio State University
Monday, 7-8:30 PM
Shafer Room, Boyd Dining Center
15 ENTANGLED IDENTITIES: LEGACIES OF 1619
From Africa to America: Reconstructing
the African American Musical Past
Sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music
Thursday, 11-11:50 AM
The African American Spiritual: Symbol of Religious & Cultural Identity
Sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music
Thursday, 7 PM
Dr. Mellonee Burnim, Professor of
Ethnomusicology, Indiana University
Hofheimer Theater, Fine Arts
16 What is WFD?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Soup on Friday Celebration
Co-sponsored with the Center for Experiential
Learning
Friday, 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
CSRF Office Suite, Clarke Hall
19 Transexuality, the Church, Broken
Relationships, and Reconciliation:
Personal Reflections
Co-sponsored with the Social Work Club
Adam Plant, Student, Wake Forest
University School of Divinity
Monday, 7-8:30 PM , Blocker Auditorium
27 The Sounds of Africa
ENTANGLED IDENTITIES: LEGACIES OF 1619
Sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music
Anthony Hailey, DMA, Founder and
Executive Director of the Mosaic Steel
Orchestra
Tuesday, 11-11:50 AM
Hofheimer Theater, Fine Arts
28 Santa Muerte: The Fastest Growing New
Religious Movement in the Americas
Dr. Andrew Chesnut, Bishop Walter
Sullivan Chair in Catholic Studies, Professor of Religious Studies, Virginia Commonwealth
University, School of World Studies
Wednesday, 7-8:30 PM
Blocker Auditorium
10 Offside (film)
C ENTER AFTER DARK movie and discussion
Co-sponsored with RELSTDS 116 World
Religions and VWC Women’s Soccer Team
Tuesday, 9-11 PM , Blocker Auditorium
11 African Music to American Music
ENTANGLED IDENTITIES: LEGACIES OF 1619
Dr. Daniel Margolies, Professor of History
Wednesday, 7-8 PM
Pearce Hospitality Suite, Batten Center
12 Black Music and the Construction of
American Identity: Blues, Jazz, and
Hip-Hop
ENTANGLED IDENTITIES: LEGACIES OF 1619
Dr. Dontraneil Clayborne, Assistant
Professor of History, Santa Monica College,
and Tamanika Ferguson, Ph.D. candidate,
Howard University
Thursday, 7 PM
Pearce Hospitality Suite, Batten Center
16 Wearing My Religion: A Look at the
Hijab, Kippah, and Accessories in
American Life
NEXUS Interfaith Dialogue: Religion in the
Public Square
Dr. Kathleen Casey, Professor of History
Teddy Wansink, CSRF Student Fellow
Monday, 7-8:30 PM
Shafer Room, Boyd Dining Center
19 Advertising Virtues and Values for
Society
Dr. Linda Ferguson, Professor of Business, and the students of COMM 326
Thursday, Noon-12:50 PM
Blocker Auditorium
5 Life Matters: Dr. Terry Lindvall
Co-Sponsored with the Chaplain’s Office, and
Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged
Learning (INTEL)
Thursday, Noon-12:50 PM
Shafer Room, Boyd Dining Center
6 Satyagraha and Mulligatawny
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Soup on Friday Celebration
In collaboration with Dr. Kellie Holzer,
Assistant Professor of English with expertise in
Colonial India
Friday, 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
CSRF Office Suite, Clarke Hall
7 Swinging Down the Red Road: The Native
Presence in Jazz, Blues, and Pop Music
ENTANGLED IDENTITIES: LEGACIES OF 1619
Dr. Ron Welburn, Professor of English,
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Saturday, 7 PM
Pearce Hospitality Suite, Batten Center
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A Celebration of Student Art
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Soup on Friday
Celebration
Friday, 11:30 AM -1:30 PM
CSRF Office Suite, Clarke Hall
Understanding Religious Freedom is published twice a year by the
Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at Virginia Wesleyan College
Craig Wansink, Ph.D.
Joan P. and Macon F. Brock Jr. Director
Kelly Jackson , Associate Director
Eric Mazur, Ph.D.
Center Fellow for Religion, Law, and Politics
757.455.3129 csrf@vwc.edu | www.vwc.edu/csrf
ALL CSRF EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

1584 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502-5599
Thursday, AUGUST 27
Thursday, OCTOBER 1
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 10
Moderated by
Jasmine Burrell ’16 ,
Public Relations Coordinator,
Black Student Union
Co-sponsored with RELST 238/338
African American Religious Experience and the Black Student Union
Moderated by Adam Ruh ,
Lecturer in English
Co-sponsored with ENG 250
American Women Writers and
Theta Alpha Kappa
A 2006 Iranian film inspired by director Jafar Panahi’s daughter,
Offside is about girls who try to sneak into the stadium to watch a World Cup qualifying match
Co-sponsored with RELST 116
World Religions and the
VWC Women’s Soccer Team
Oriented to students, these late-night events stimulate informal discussions with meaningful themes — and even include popcorn with M&Ms!
ALL EVENTS ARE HELD 9-11 PM (OR SO) IN BLOCKER AUDITORIUM
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Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Norfolk, VA
Permit 27