December 31, 1986 - MPR’s Beth Friend visits the Minneapolis home of Charlotte Kula as she prepares latkes in celebration of Hanukkah. Kula shares her thoughts on the recipe and much more.
July 14, 1987 - MPR’s Stephen Smith profiles street preachers outside Caboose bar in Minneapolis. Smith interviews street preacher Shirley Reed, and various bar patrons.
August 20, 1987 - The 10th annual Summer Conference on Theology and the Church, held at Concordia College in Moorhead, presenting a debate on religious fundamentalism. Erling Jorstad, professor of history and American studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, shares his views on fundamentalism and the religious right. Jorstad has studied and written extensively about fundamentalism. Countering Jorstod, Reverend Edward Dobson, editor of "The Fundamentalist Journal" and board member of the Moral Majority, presents his viewpoint on the Religious Right. Dobson is also co-author of a book with the Reverend Jerry Falwell, former vice president for student affairs at Liberty Baptist University at Lynchburg, Virginia.
September 4, 1987 - Father Robert Drinan, professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center, speaking at the College of St. Benedict. Father Drinan’s address was on the topic "Religion and Politics in Contemporary American Society". Drinan presents a historical perspective of the church/state problems, and what may happen going forward. Following his speech, Father Drinan answered audience questions. Father Robert Drinan is best known to most of us as a former member of congress where he served 10 years from 1971 to 1981. Drinan was ordained a priest (Society of Jesus) in 1953. From 1956 to 1970, Drinan was dean and Professor of Law at Boston College Law School. He is the author of numerous books including, "Beyond the Nuclear Freeze", "Vietnam: An Armageddon", and "Democracy, Dissent and Disorder".
December 26, 1987 - On this Weekend program, a sound and music portrait of Fiji. A wide array of sounds is presented, from Christmas carols, traditions of the Hindu New Year celebration, cannibals, and government-mandated observation of the Sabbath.
July 5, 1988 - Peter Baird, an Arizona lawyer, speaking at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Baird’s address was on the topic "Confessions, Oaths, Spies and Toads.” Speech includes an account of the Miranda case leading to the Miranda ruling which he brought before the Supreme Court of the United States, and efforts involving government spying on churches. Baird was introduced by Carleton College student Mike Granston.
July 5, 1988 - Peter Baird, an Arizona lawyer, speaks at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota as part of Carleton Lecture. Baird’s lecture was on the topic "Confessions, Oaths, Spies and Toads." He gives his account of the Miranda case leading to the Miranda ruling which he brought before the Supreme Court of the United States just out of law school.
December 3, 1988 - MPR’s Bob Potter talks with Clark Morphew, religion writer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press dispatch. Morphew discusses current issues in religion, including decline in membership of mainline churches, rise of fundamentalist churches, Jewish definition debate, and social aspect of church. Morphew also answers listener questions.
January 12, 1989 - Midday presents a special Mainstreet Radio documentary on religion in Minnesota, entitled “Articles of Faith.” Highlighted are a Central Minnesota German Catholic community in Pierz-Lastrup, Mennonites in Mountain Lake, a Jewish family in Fergus Falls, and a non-believer who nevertheless attends a small town church.
March 17, 1989 - Charles Curran, theologian and ordained Roman Catholic priest, speaking in the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota. Curran’s address was on the tensions that exist between theology and academic freedom. Curran came under fire from Vatican officials for his views on abortion, homosexuality and other matters of sexuality.