Mary Olive Woods Lecture: "Religion Without Walls" September 22

September 13, 2005

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MACOMB, IL - - Robert C. Fuller, professor of religious studies at Bradley University, will present “Religion Without Walls: Unchurched Spirituality in America” for the 2005 annual Mary Olive Woods Lecture. The 7:30 p.m. lecture will be held Thursday, Sept. 22 at Western Illinois University’s Union Heritage Room.

Fuller will trace the long and vibrant tradition of unchurched America back to colonial times, during which interest in alternative spirituality ran high and little more than 17 percent of the population attended church.

Considered an international expert in America’s alternative religions and esoteric healing traditions, Fuller has authored 11 books and more than 30 scholarly articles, including the popular and critically acclaimed “Spiritual, But Not Religious,” published by Oxford University Press (2001).

During his tenure at Bradley University, Fuller has been the recipient of the Charles A. Putnam Award for Teaching Excellence and the Samuel Rothberg Award for Professional Excellence. He has also appeared on ABC’s “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.”

The 19th annual lecture is sponsored by Western’s philosophy of religious studies department in conjunction with the 1987 trust fund of Mary Olive Woods. The Woods fund provides up to eight student scholarships each year in addition to the annual lecture presentation.

The lecture, followed by a reception, is open free to the public. For more information, contact the philosophy of religious studies department at (309) 298-1057.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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