May 12 - Jamila Bey - 2012 and the Faithless

Saturday, May 12, 2012, 1:30pm
Bethesda Regional Library
7400 Arlington Rd Bethesda, MD [map]

From doomsday predictions and reprimanded nuns to women's health and the faith of those in power, the year 2012 is shaping up to be one filled with myriad conflicts over religious faith. DC-based journalist Jamila Bey will discuss why skepticism and reason need not be subject to the whims of warring beliefs, and what impact all of the discussion and arguments may have upon the presidential election this fall.

Jamila Bey is a journalist based in Washington, DC, where she hosts the weekly radio show The Sex, Politics And Religion Hour: SPAR With Jamila which airs on AM 1390 in Washington and AM 1430 in New York City. She also writes for the Washington Post blog, She the People.

Jamila served a decade-long stint as a producer and editor at National Public Radio working for shows including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Tell Me More with Michel Martin, and Talk of the Nation. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Humanist of London, Jazz Times Magazine and WebMD as well as on The Today Show and radio stations around the country.

A sought-after speaker and writer, Jamila’s areas of expertise include health and family policy, and all issues concerning the First Amendment. She particularly enjoys reporting on issues concerning religion and the separation of church and state.

A stand-up comedienne, Jamila says she enjoys the stage because it’s a cheaper hobby than scrapbooking. Her first book about the role of religion in the lives of African-American women is to be completed in fall 2012.

FREE admission – Everyone welcome, members and non-members. Refreshments and socializing after the talk.

Parking is free at the Bethesda Library. However, there is a large arts festival taking place the same day a few blocks away. This may impact the availability of spaces in the library’s parking lot. The Bethesda Library is easily accessible from the Bethesda Metro stop. There is also parking in the garage located on Bethesda Avenue near the intersection with Arlington Road.