The 6th Commandment of the Bible states, “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” But as world-renowned religious scholar Carl Schowengerdt points out, Judeo-Christian and Muslim intolerance has become a grave threat to the fabric of modern society worldwide.

While Schowengerdt agrees that religious mythology can enhance our lives by providing wise moral lessons, he says it can also lead to condoning violence against those who do not share a particular system of beliefs. The result has been widespread bombings, invasions, beheadings and a wanton disregard for civil liberties across the globe.

In Schowengerdt’s view, democracy can only survive within systems in which there is a clear separation of church and state — free from intolerance of any and all faiths.

This controversial guest will enlighten and perhaps outrage audiences by exploring:

• How sects of certain faiths use their myths as excuses to torture and murder non-believers.

• There is no quantifiable evidence of a Super Being or God. Rather, our lives are governed by physical laws of the universe.

• Beliefs in such myths as fairytales, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are actually beneficial because they impart valuable moral lessons.

CREDENTIALS: Carl Schowengerdt is the author of THE RELIGIOUS SUBVERSION OF DEMOCRACY and a practicing family physician who is medical director of Appalachian Primary Care, a not-for-profit health care organization in Ohio. He grew up in a deeply religious family. His father was a Methodist minister and his brother is a Methodist bishop. The two biggest influences in his life are religion and medical science.

AVAILABILITY: Ohio, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone
CONTACT: Carl Schowengerdt, (740) 452-2931, publisher@y-citypublishing.com