Debate at University of Illinois to Engage Question: Does the Black Community Need God?

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – On November 10^th, 2011, world-famous preacher Carlton Pearson and secular journalist Jamila Bey will meet at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to discuss the role of faith in the African American community.

Bishop Pearson is perhaps best known for originating the Gospel of Inclusion, a unique and controversial religious doctrine which caused a stir in and beyond the Pentecostal community in 2002, earning him appearances on such television programs as NBC/MSNBC’s Dateline, ABC's Nightline, 20/20 and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. He is an alumnus of Oral Roberts University and has been recognized by Gospel Today and Belief.net as one of America's Ten Most Influential Black Ministers.

Jamila Bey is an accomplished journalist whose 15 year career has included work for The New York Times, The Root and NPR’s Morning Edition. A champion debater, Ms. Bey attended Duquesne University before beginning her decade-long stint as a producer and editor for National Public Radio. In addition to being an esteemed member of the secular movement, Jamila is currently working on a book about atheism in black culture.

Together, these distinguished speakers will shed light on pressing issues of race, faith and culture, in an event sponsored by the Illini Secular Student Alliance in cooperation with Interfaith In Action, the U of I Office of Minority Student Affairs, Black Graduate Student Association and Women’s Resources Center, as well as the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, Champaign-Urbana Freethinkers and national groups the Center for Inquiry, the Secular Student Alliance and African Americans for Humanism.

Dr. Wallace Southerland III, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the U of I Office of Minority Student Affairs will moderate the debate, which begins at 7pm this Thursday, November 10^th in the Plym Auditorium, Room 134, Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, on the South Quadrangle. It will be immediately followed by a reception in the Atrium. Refreshments will be served.

# # #