by Right Reverend William E. Swing
Date: Wednesday, February 26 at 9:00 AM PDT
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Cost: Suggested donation $10 US.
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Description
What does God have to do with nuclear weapons? Nothing and everything, observes Bishop William E. Swing, in an original meditation on the threat of annihilation and how faith offers a way to encounter The End of everything. If humanity stays on its present trajectory, he proposes, a nuclear war is inevitable. Swing calls on readers and leaders to change course and he pays tribute to the late Secretary of State George Shultz as guide and colleague in raising voices to press for a world free of nuclear weapons.
What is said about the book
The author suggests that if humanity stays on its present course, a nuclear war is inevitable. He urges policymakers and analysts to consider “what’s next” after a nuclear war has been unleashed. He walks us through a religious take on the subject and comes to surprising conclusions. William Swing is uniquely qualified to discuss the nexus between religion and nuclear weapons, and he does so in a way that is fun to read, despite the pessimism that pervades the analysis.
~ Ambassador James Goodby, foreign affairs specialist with the US Atomic Energy Commission’s office in charge of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and former US ambassador to Finland
This book is about the importance of truth and morality, the meaning of myth and reality, spirituality and secular life, war and peace, and the role of faith and the meaning of life. In order to think seriously about nuclear weapons and civilization, this book shouldn’t be missed.
~ Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr., US diplomat involved in all international arms control and non-proliferation agreements between 1970 and 1997
Bishop Swing and former Secretary of State George Shultz were trusting friends who together golfed, dined, laughed and frequently prayed—often a nuclear prayer. In this book, Bishop Swing gives us inspiration by sharing glimpses of life without grudges, feuds, and military conflict. In sharing his moral philosophy and profound faith, he assures us that the nightmare of nuclear war is not inevitable, and that protecting humanity and God’s universe remains possible.
~ Sam Nunn, Co-Chair of the Nuclear Threat Initiative and former U. S. Senator and Chair of the Armed Services Committee
About the Author William E. Swing
William E. Swing is the Founder and President Emeritus of the United Religions Initiative. Bishop Swing had the original vision of URI in 1993 in response to an invitation from the United Nations, which asked him to host an interfaith service honoring the 50th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. Bishop Swing, along with 50 others, shaped the URI purpose (to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings). URI is currently the largest interfaith grassroot organization.
Bishop Swing served as the 7th Episcopal Bishop of California from 1980 until his retirement in 2006. In that capacity, he was a national and international leader in response to the AIDS crisis, co-founded Episcopal Community Services to address San Francisco’s homeless problem, and co-founded Community Bank of the Bay to support local businesses and the economy.
He is married to Mary Taylor Swing and has two children and three grandchildren.
About the Facilitator Marilyn Turkovich
Marilyn Turkovich started working with the Charter for Compassion in 2013 as the education director and since that time has moved into a number of different roles. Marilyn's background has been primarily in higher education and most specifically in directing teacher training programs for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, and chairing Columbia College-Chicago's master's program in multicultural and global education.
She has done a considerable amount of curriculum writing through the years, much of it related to international and cultural topics. She worked with Independent Broadcasting Associates on a series for airing on National Public Radio, BBC and the Australian Broadcasting organizations. There was a period of time in the 1990s when she worked in organizational development and specialized in instructional design work, strategic planning and leadership development. She also wrote and developed training on race and social justice initiatives.
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