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One hundred years after the Scopes Trial, the debate over religion and education is far from over. With state legislatures introducing new policies that shape what can—and cannot—be taught in public schools, it’s crucial to understand the power of legal precedent and local control. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how the Scopes Trial serves as both a warning and a roadmap for pushing back against restrictive education laws today.
This course will interrogate the question of what it means to dialogue during a time of political violence, persecution, gaslighting, and oppression. Very often we teach that tolerance is a virtue in dialogue, yet should we also be tolerant of intolerance? How does that work?
Rabbi Dr. Rachel S. Mikva explored how considering the question of the human is essential when navigating religious differences today. Watch the videos of the two lectures and the response by Dr. Younus Mirza, and the April 22nd Conversation Event held at Goucher College.
Uncover the goals of the Christian movement that is a threat to the American values of democracy and pluralism. Through podcasts, articles, courses, and videos, Matthew D. Taylor shares his research and storytelling.
As Christians observe Holy Week, ICJS scholars engaged in an interfaith dialogue on WYPR’s Midday show about the figure of Jesus, a Jewish rabbi and teacher who is revered as a prophet in Islam, and who is the central figure in Christianity.
In an era marked by rising polarization, climate anxiety, and rapid technological change, the question of what it means to be human has never felt more urgent. The 2025 Silber-Obrecht Lecture explored that question from Islamic, Christian, and Jewish perspectives—and offered a vision of hope, dignity, and dialogue. At an April 22nd Conversation Event at…
Pope Francis was elected head of the Catholic Church in March of 2013, when I was just pregnant with my second child. I remember the trees were just beginning to blossom, and that the sunlight was bright. I heard the news while planning for the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council with a group…
Read the Catholic Review article: Maryland Center for History and Culture receives $2.5 million grant to explore religious tolerance in state BALTIMORE, Md. (January 7, 2025) – The Maryland Center for History and Culture (MCHC) has received a $2.5M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The grant will support…
When I’ve told people about the work we have been doing this past year at ICJS, they have a lot of questions: How are you actually able to do dialogue right now? Has the violence in Israel and Gaza frayed interreligious relationships beyond repair? What are commonly held expectations and fears about interreligious dialogue, particularly…
For the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies (ICJS), fostering dialogue in these trying times remains crucial, and we remain committed to it.
In this online event, Kristyn Peck, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), spoke about how the federal government’s termination of its contracts with all refugee resettlement agencies has devastated her organization, leading to layoffs and a cut in services. But she sees hope as faith communities and volunteers have stepped up to fill the gap, filling the shelves of its resource center with in-kind donations and other offers of help.
Islamophobia—the irrational fear or discrimination against Islam and Muslims—is a widespread problem that leads to hate crimes, bullying, violence, and anti-Muslim legislation undermining civil rights. The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, a national multifaith coalition, is at the forefront of efforts to combat this hate and promote justice.
In this online event, Nina M. Fernando, Executive Director of Shoulder to Shoulder, spoke about the work of her organization and the commitment it shares with ICJS of challenging Islamophobia and fostering greater interreligious understanding.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer has long been celebrated as a powerful symbol of moral resistance to the Nazi regime, with his legacy claimed by Christians across the religious spectrum, from liberal Protestants to Christian Nationalists. Historically, though, he was not a major figure. What do his writings mean in that context?
In this online conversation, Dr. Victoria Barnett discussed the historical complexities of Bonhoeffer’s life and legacy, warning against the dangers of reducing his life and work to simplistic, “momentary” lessons for contemporary Christian activism. Instead, Barnett argued for a deeper, more nuanced engagement with Bonhoeffer’s theology, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to faith and ethical action in the face of injustice and crisis.
Mary, the mother of Jesus—Maryam in Arabic—is venerated by Christians and Muslims around the world. This course examined the Islamic portrayal of Mary as described in the Qur’an and the holy narrations of Prophet Muhammad, both normative sources for Muslims, identifying similarities and differences that emerge in the Muslim depictions of Mary. By presenting examples of Islamic art and architecture, ICJS Muslim Scholar Zeyneb Sayilgan highlighted Mary’s ongoing importance in Muslim life. Finally, Sayilgan reflected on the possibilities of how Mary can serve as an important interreligious figure who can both divide and unite.
Read the most recent issue of ICJS Insights, our monthly newsletter featuring voices, essays, and perspectives.