Author and TED Prize Recipient Karen Armstrong to Host Discussion on Compassion at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine April 27, 2011

AUTHOR AND TED PRIZE RECIPIENT KAREN ARMSTRONG TO HOST DISCUSSION ON COMPASSION AT THE CATHEDRAL OF
SAINT JOHN THE DIVINE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

British author and TED prize recipient Karen Armstrong and the Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski will lead a discussion on religion and ethics in the modern world, and the importance of placing compassion at the heart of public discourse on religion and morality on Wednesday, April 27th at 7 PM at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street), Manhattan. The event is free and open to the public.

During her discussion at the Cathedral, Armstrong will discuss topics including how compassion interweaves in everyday life, how compassion has shaped world history and how it affects world events including the current turmoil in Japan and Libya. In 2008 Armstrong was awarded a $10,000 TED prize for her call for the creation of a “Charter for Compassion” which emphasizes the underlying themes of the Golden Rule - doing unto others as you would have them do unto you - throughout diverse, major religious beliefs.

Armstrong, an author, scholar, journalist and former Roman Catholic nun, is among the world's foremost commentators on religious history and culture. She has written more than 20 books on faith and the major religions including her most recent work, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, which was published in December. Dr. James A. Kowalski, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, will join Armstrong in the discussion.

“Enter the Conversation” is part of an ongoing series of programs at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine that encourages individuals to become more involved in their communities and be agents of positive social change. Admission is free. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please visit www.stjohndivine.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 27

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street), Manhattan

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