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. And what distinguishes religious beliefs from a more generalized “spirituality,” a frequent choice in our own time? 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, as well as its intersection with science and art and resonance in our current challenging climate.

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