Religion

Wichitans of different faiths, races and cultures will meet Tuesday night over dinners hosted at homes across the city. As KMUW’s Nadya Faulx reports, the Dinner Dialogues are designed to start conversations between people from diverse backgrounds.

This is the second year the Wichita-based group Beyond Tolerance is hosting the Dinner Dialogues. Eight to 10 people will be at each dinner, and a trained facilitator will lead a conversation about issues related to race and religion.

Steven L. Jones is known for demonstrating his sheer joy in playing the Hammond B-3 organ. He’s been playing at numerous church services across the city for more than four decades.

A local chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America decided it was time to recognize many years of musical service with a tribute coming up this weekend. KMUW’s Carla Eckels talks to Steven about his music and his impact on the community.

A new art exhibition opens today in Wichita that will showcase the work of Middle Eastern artists displaced by war.

The Building Bridges exhibit includes 80 paintings, most of them from Iraqi refugee artists. The work was brought here by the nonprofit Wichita Common Humanity, a collaboration of different religious and interfaith groups.

Coordinator Jan Swartzendruber says the goal of the project is to challenge stereotypes about the Muslim and Arab worlds and help the Wichita community better understand its Muslim neighbors.

A committee in the Kansas Legislature is considering a bill aimed at giving the state the power to block refugees. It says the governor can suspend refugee resettlement if it's warranted.

The bill would allow local governments in Kansas to request that no refugees be settled in their area because of a lack of available services for refugees or questions about security. Republican Rep. Peggy Mast says she has security concerns related to Muslim refugees.

With the recent developments in Syria and Iraq--and the power of ISIS increasing--more and more questions about extremist religious-based violence arise.

KMUW's Aileen LeBlanc discussed some of the issues with a scholar who will be in Wichita to present a program on the subject this weekend.

Wichita native Matthew Vines has good news for gay Christians, especially those who are theologically conservative, in his groundbreaking book God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same Sex Relationships.

While in his second year at Harvard, Vines determined the correct answer when he asked himself, “Am I gay?” His affirmation inspired four years of meticulous research of the most common uses of Scripture in admonishing same-sex relationships as sinful.

The Roman Catholic cardinal electors begin their conclave Tuesday to decide on a successor to Pope Benedict XVI who resigned last month.

At Holy Savior Catholic Church and Academy in Wichita, students and staff are also weighing in on the process.

Middle school social studies teacher Mike Meyer hands out paper for an assignment.

"If you were a voting cardinal, what qualities, what characteristics are you looking for as the new pope?" he asks.

Thirteen year old, Kyree Straughter says he should be a strong leader, trustworthy and nice.