Friday October 10

Interfaith Conference

It seems like in today’s religious environment, you're forced either to believe in some sort of young-earth creationism or a Bible-literal account of the nature of the universe, or side with Bill Maher, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and view faith as nothing but a set of dangerous superstitions. Fortunately there's people like Columbia University's Robert Thurman and Oregon State University's Marcus Borg, who aim to bring some subtlety back to theology with their Christian-Buddhist interfaith dialogue on “Contemplative Practice and Social Action.” The event kicks off with a Friday evening talk by Thurman, followed by day-long conferences on Saturday and Sunday. MATT GRAHAM. Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway., 235-2477. 7:30 pm Friday, 10 am-4 pm Saturday-Sunday. $25-$100. All ages. Friday talk at Maitripa College, 1632 SE 11th Ave.