God was declared dead in 1966, no longer relevant to an increasingly secular society. Today, people around the world ardently seek religious and faith-based experiences, at times with an intolerant fervor. How did we vacillate between such extremes in the span of only half a century? In modern society, few topics are as subject to ignorance, misunderstanding, and manipulation as religion. Although it is a central building block of human consciousness, we possess surprisingly little knowledge about religious traditions—both of others and our own. From a more generalized “spirituality” to intersections with science and art, religion has continued to powerfully resonate in our current challenging climate. Join WNYC’s John Schaefer and a group of leading thinkers for a spirited panel discussion exploring the many contradictions inherent in our understanding of religion and the evolutionary pathways of religious belief.

Seating is limited, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.