June 11, 1979 - Harvey Cox, author and theology professor at Harvard Divinity School, speaking at the Unity Unitarian Church in St. Paul. His discussion of new religious movements included what he considers to be the two most important theological movements of our time: dialogical theology and liberation theology. Dr. Cox discussed each movement, and then explained how he believed they related to one another. Cox was considered by many to be the most radical theologian of the day in America.
August 29, 1979 - Michael Novak, author and scholar at the American Enterprise Institute gives speech, titled “Ethnicity and The Democratic Process.”
November 19, 1979 - Robert Jewett, author of "The Captain America Complex: The Dilemma of Zealous Nationalism," lectures at the University of LaCrosse on how superheros are part of the nation's religion and US foreign policy were developed from biblical interpretations.
December 22, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman talks with MPR producer Nick Nash on the upcoming live U.S. stereo broadcast of “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” by King's College, Cambridge.
December 22, 1979 - MPR’s Rich Dietman presents a sound print of what Christmas is in other countries. Segments include music and discussion with Willa Ramos (Mexico), Theodora Geokazus (Greece), Maria Moran (Philippines), and Florence Hart (Scotland). The group share the different traditions and celebrations.
January 12, 1980 - James Bill, professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, speaking at University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union on the events in Iran. Bill spent much of his adult life studying Iran and the Middle East and has lived there as well. In his speech, he shares his perspective on reasons behind Iranian revolution, and repercussions.
January 19, 1980 - Sonia Johnson, feminist and equal rights amendment (ERA) supporter, speaking at the University of Minnesota. Johnson was excommunicated from the Mormon church after she spoke out for ERA and against church political activities against ERA. Her address is part of a country tour in trying to rally renewed support for the Equal Rights Amendment. In her speech, she says she took on the political arm of the church and lost - a political arm that she says is actively campaigning against passage of the ERA and using deception as a key tool.
April 18, 1980 - On this segment of People On Books, Larry Alderink, associate professor of Religion at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, reviews The Gnostic Gospel by Elaine Pagels.
April 26, 1980 - On this Weekend program, MPR’s Rich Dietman interviews Ruth Mattson Taylor about speaking with the dead. Through the help of British clairvoyant Margaret Flavell Tweddell, Ms. Taylor says she communicated with her deceased father, A.D. Mattson, who was a Lutheran minister, on numerous occasions during which time he told her some of what it is like "on the other side.” Ms. Taylor recently finished editing a book entitled, "Witness from Beyond."
September 27, 1980 - Richard Mitchell, professor of history at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, speaking at "Understanding Resurgent Islam" conference held at the University of Minnesota. Mitchell’s address was titled “The Range of Islamic Activism and Its Potential in the World Today.” It provided insight into the diversity of the Islamic movement. After speech, Mitchell answered audience questions.