ICJS hosts scholars, authors, clergy, activists, and educators to bring you information and knowledge on the intersection of religion in the arenas of history, theology, politics, education, or interpersonal relationships. Click below to use the Resource Finder to see all past, current and upcoming events.
In The Power Worshippers (2020), which formed the basis of the documentary God & Country (produced by the late Rob and Michelle Reiner), journalist Katherine Stewart exposed Christian nationalism as a growing threat to democracy. Her new book, Money, Lies, and God (2025), goes further—revealing how ultra-wealthy donors, conservative think tanks, and far-right religious groups are driving a radical anti-democratic movement. The book poses the urgent questions: How did we get here—and why are so many Americans turning against democracy?
In a recent ICJS conversation, Younus Y. Mirza, Ph.D., author of The Islamic Mary: Maryam Through the Centuries, traced the rich presence of Maryam across Islamic tradition—from the Qur’an and Sufi devotion to art and interfaith engagement. The discussion highlighted how Mary/Maryam functions as a shared figure of reverence, opening pathways for deeper Christian-Muslim understanding and encounter.
In this Lunch and Learn, Chaplain Sangeetha Kowsik, founder of Ihsan Ishan Design, will share how she has used art and design to educate and unite diverse communities, cultures, and religions in her work as a chaplain. She will explore how art can be a tool for addressing social issues and how artists and spiritual care providers can collaborate to build bridges across difference.
The Qur’an, revered as sacred scripture and a moral guide, offers enduring virtues that shape just and compassionate communities. This minicourse will explore qualities such as dignity, courage, compassion, humility, and forgiveness, considering their role in nurturing a shared civic life marked by respect and responsibility. Through close readings of scripture, study of the Prophet Muhammad as the “living Qur’an,” and reflection on prophetic case studies, the course highlights how Qur’anic virtues continue to inform ethical character and foster pluralistic societies today.