Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today
with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, Season II
Now Available on a 3-DVD Set
A first-ever 15-part series conceived by a rabbi for Bridges TV-American Muslim TV Network, the show brings together religious leaders of the three major Abrahamic faiths to grapple with the divisive issues splitting our traditions and country. Fast paced and tied to today's news, it gives viewers a deeper understanding of how people of faith see the world, and each other, with live interviews from the American public.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, What's The Future Of Marijuana?: Should we legalize pot as a matter of public policy? The war on weed is costing the country billions of dollars in lost revenue. Are we undermining the legal system by maintaining the status quo? Alcohol and cigarettes have proven more addictive. Is this a tragedy of public policy? David Bienenstock, Senior Editor at High Times Magazine and author of The Official High Times Pot Smokers Handbook, gives us the low down.
Also, Earth Day & Global Warming: Does global warming exist and how is it being abused? Natural climate cycles of global warming and cooling have been controlled by natural forces for millions of years. Are humans controlling the environment or is this much ado about nothing? Can we mobilize meaningful public policy without becoming alarmist? Dr. S. Fred Singer, an Atmospheric Physicist and founder of the Science and Environmental Policy Project is a professor at the University of Virginia. He is also the author of Unstoppable Global Warming and he shares his findings.Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, Enlightened Edibles: Can foods and drinks be embedded with positive intentions? Native Americans have practiced this, along with many other traditions. Some of us pray before meals or engage in rituals in which water or food is blessed. Can specific vibratory frequencies or intentions change the makeup of our foods or does expectation drive reaction? Dean Radin,Senior Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, fills us in.
Also, The College Financial Aid Game: As our children begin to look at college, we have a severe budget deficit, the process is not easy, and school's are expensive. Congress is trying to address the problem in the stimulus bill and through tax credits. Are college's looking at your zip code or at your child's application? In this economy, are America's elite universities clubs for the rich or will our intellectual elite congregate to public universities? An expert in cost of tuition and Publisher of finaid.org and FastWeb.com, Mark Kantrowitz helps us wade through the bog. Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, Is The Devil Real?: What's the nature of evil and the source of 'Satan'? Is it a concept, a deep temptation on a soul level, or is it emerging from the external world? Perhaps it's just a word that describes a human experience. Intentions and temptations that become viscerally tangible cause brutality for ourselves and others. Father Lloyd Prator, Pastor at St. John's Church in New York City and consultant to ABC TV News and beliefnet.com, shares first hand experience of an evil force.
Also, April Is "Genocide Prevention Month": Among the major tragedies of the last 100 years, e.g., Darfur, Rwanda, Bosnia, Cambodia, the Holocaust and Armenia; sits a coincidence. These crises remarkably share crucial anniversaries in April. People of conscience around the world know these crimes can be predicted. Make noise about the genocides of the past to stop those of the future. Can we prevent them and make a contribution to end genocide in it's tracks? Jill Savitt, the Executive Director of "Genocide Prevention Month", helps us answer these preeminent inquiries. Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, Text Messaging; A New Way To Keep In Touch: It has caused car wrecks, train wrecks, and death. Some kids are doing it more than 6,000 times a month. It can be a new way to connect with loved ones and also an immense distraction. Are we just a culture of sound bites? David E. Meyer, Ph.D. is a Professor of Technology and Faculty Member of the Cognition and Perception Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. This Mathematical Psychologist and Cognitive Scientist joins our discussion.
Also, Castration Of Sex Offenders: There's a serious debate going on in Central and Western Europe and it's on it's way to our shores. Should sex offenders have the option of medical castration over serving time in prison? Is this an effective way of treating illness? Will this choice be a free and informed decision or something out of Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange? Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Executive Order by President Obamaends an eight year ban for funding on stem cells. The potential is great, but are we paralyzed by fears of it's usage? Do we trust one another enough to ethically study the biology and development derived from embryos? Karl Willert, Ph.D, who is the director of UCSD'S Human Embryonic Stem Cell Core Facility offers his insight.
Also, The American Religious Identification Survey:The percentage of Americans claiming 'no religion' is rising, as spirituality in America remains in flux. Americans are known for pursuing new horizons while refusing the definitions and boundaries that keep us from new spiritual territory. Guest Barry Kosmin, principle investigator for the American Religious Identification Survey, is a research professor at Trinity College. He is also co-author of One Nation Under God and of Religion in a Free Market. Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, The Mind & Body Connection; Anger Can Really Kill You: Are you truly liberated when you indulge in anger or does depression follow your impulse? How do we separate deciding to be angry with an immediate response to anger? Rachel Lampert, MD, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Yale University, shows us the implications of managing our anger in a healthy way and creating positive, protective emotions for our bodies.
Also, Suicides And The Economic Crisis: Suicide rates in Portland have nearly doubled from a year ago, however, suicide is the most preventative death. Suicide is a function of illness and everyone has a role in helping those lost in suffering.Dr. Dan Reidenberg PSY.D., FAPA, and Executive Director of SAVE, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, teaches us how to reduce the stigma in our own minds and engage the people we love. Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, TheFaith Of Our Nation & "The American Muslim Community": American Muslims see themselves thriving more than nearly any other Muslim community in the world. However, they are the least content of any religious group in America. Is secularization a good thing and what's the role of religion in our lives? Ahmed Younis, a Senior Consultant for Gallup and a Senior Analyst for the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies lends his thoughts.
Also, Religious Freedom & The Separation Of Church And State:Does the Supreme Court embrace or promote a specific religious practice? Is there any way to bring our religious sensibilities into a public realm or should we preclude all faith from public spaces? Barry Lynn, the executive director of Americans United Against Church And State, shares his opinion on amending this major issue. Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, The Academy Awards: Interesting, Or Middle Brow Entertainment Masking Itself As Cutting Edge? Do the most popular films of the year tell us where we are as a nation, or is the selection process of the Academy out of touch with the public? David Weitzner, former studio executive who teaches at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts shares his opinion.
Also, The Policy Of The Housing Bailout Plan:Does it matter who wrecked the ship when your life boat is sinking? Foreclosures are destroying economic value for everyone. Will the plan work? Is it fair? More importantly, does it make sense? Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, Shopoholism: Can Shopping Become A Disease? With savings rates at their lowest and credit assumption at it's highest, is your desire to shop a classifiable illness or just a weakness? Reverend Billy from The Church of Stop Shopping lends his thoughts.
Also, Valentine's Day: Another Marketing Ploy Or A Day To Celebrate Love? Is there value in picking one day to celebrate romance? Katherine Calvert, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Portland Relationship Center, speaks about the chemistry of connection and the opportunities of shifting your focus to remember the love in your life. Listen Below.
This week on Intelligent Talk Radio, Personal Morality, Politics and Religion: Exploring a country in crisis and our faith in leadership. As Portland Mayor Sam Adams gets caught in a sex scandal, what type of moral behavior can and should we expect from our elected officials?
Lars Larson Show (Compass Media), Elena Kagan and a Protestant-Free Court, 5/11/10
WFTL Morning News with Russ Morley (Southern Florida), National Day of Prayer 5/6/10
The Al Gainey Show, WDUN (Northern GA), CPAC Conference - Young people who are conservative seem less attached to some social issues than their older religious counterparts, 2/26/10
Religious Themes in Film at the Hudson Union Society, "Harold Ramis talks about the hunger for wisdom in film, and refers to his ‘favorite Rabbi’, Rabbi Irwin Kula..." 4/7/10
