Institute of Advanced Theology (AIT), BARD COLLEGE

MISSION
The Institute of Advanced Theology (hereafter IAT) was established to foster critical understanding, based on scholarship that will make true religious pluralism possible. Bard College, a private liberal arts college noted for its progressive traditions and innovation in higher education, has undertaken to support the Institute's residential and academic development.
The Institute's mission is to illuminate crucial points of intersection among the world's religious traditions in order to promote a deeper understanding of both their commonality and diversity. The Institute's aims are to bring factual evidence and critical analysis to the forefront, resulting in a better understanding of the sacred texts of great world religions and history; to foster a new spirit of tolerance and cooperation; to improve the quality of religious scholarship and practice through a historically based interdisciplinary program of research, education, and public outreach; to achieve a deeper understanding of the origin of religions; and to develop the potential for collaborative scholarship, bringing together religious leaders, believers, and those who are simply curious, in a shared enterprise of enlightened learning.
At the core of the Institute are plans for a graduate Program for mature students who have a solid background in theology and religion as teachers, scholars, or ministers. Advanced degrees will be tailored to meet the needs of individual students.
The Institute is not in competition with denominational seminaries; rather, the curriculum attempts to discover a common language of comparison and explore neglected aspects of religious thought. The Institute's goal is to enhance the student's professional competence to develop into a new kind of theologian-an expert in his or her field who is dedicated to open dialogue and scholarship.
It is anticipated that a doctor of ministry degree and a master's degree will be offered to experienced pastors and those who desire to broaden their knowledge in order to make practical contributions to inter-religious scholarly dialogue. In this rigorous, interdisciplinary Program of study, the emphasis is placed on developing clear communicative and expository skills, as well as analytic expertise.
IAT achieves its aims through instructions, convention of symposia and conferences and publication of scholarly texts in various theological dimensions of world religions.

FELLOWS AND EDITORS
Bruce Chilton, Director of IAT at Bard College.
Jacob Neusner, Research Professor of Theology and Religion at Bard College.
Markus Bockmeuhl, (U. of Cambridge), Jonathan E. Brockopp, (Bard College).
Bradley Clough, (Bard College), John Dominic Crossan, (De Paul U.), Peter Davids, (Schloss Mittersill Study Center, Austria), Richard H. Davis (Bard College), Craig A. Evans, (Trinity Western U.), Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson (North Park U.), Nancy S. Leonard, (Bard College), Paul E. Murray (Bard College), John Painter (Charles Sturt U., Canberra, Australia), Marianne Sawicki (Morgan State U.), Bernard Brandon Scott, (Phillips Theological Seminary) John Shelby Spong, (Episcopal Diocese of Newark).
Editors: Robert M. Berchman (Dowling College and Bard College), Parviz Morewedge (Rutgers University and Bard College).

PUBLICATIONS
IAT's publications include a series entitled 'Comparisons,' while feasibility studies are in process for an international journal of Theology

COMPARISONS
COMPARISONS is the publishing wing of The Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College. Religion has emerged as a Force and cannot be ignored in understanding the human world. An historic challenge has appeared in the wake of this growth of religions. Practitioners need to understand one another; observers need to be able to assess beliefs and practices they personally do not share. Those are the imperatives of living in a pluralistic environment. Religious systems (and many atheist replacements of religious systems) claim to account for the world, to shape human emotions, and to guide our actions.
Through instructions, conferences, and publications, The Institute of Advanced Theology is designed to create the kind of genuine, critical understanding, which makes real pluralism possible. Comparisons of this kind are possible in the basis of various religious traditions and through the insights of literary, artistic, scientific, and intellectual contributions. The purpose of our series is to explore such comparative analyses on an interdisciplinary basis.
The Editorial Board of COMPARISONS invites submission of manuscripts to this series regardless of an author's religious or political persuasion, national origin or gender. While every manuscript undergoes peer evaluation, only the author is responsible for the content of each text. The members of the Editorial Board and affiliated institutions disclaim any legal responsibility for the content of the text in COMPARISONS.
Bruce Chilton
Editor-in-Chief, COMPARISONS, Institute of Advanced Theology, Bard College

Editorial Board
Robert M. Berchman
Bruce Chilton, Editor- in- Chief
Nancy Leonard
Parviz Morewedge, Managing Editor
Jacob Neusner

Texts in Print
Berger, Douglas. The Veil of Maya:" Schopenhauer's System and Early Indian Thought.
Chilton, Bruce. The Temple of Jesus: His Sacrificial Program Within a Cultural History of Sacrifice.
Delmonico, Neal. The Essentials of Vedanta: Introductory Texts of Vedanta.
Morewedge, Parviz. The Metaphysica of Avicenna (Ibn Sina): A Critical translation-commentary and analysis of fundamental arguments in Avicenna's Metaphysica in the The Book of Scientific Knowledge)

THE FOUNDATION FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIPLOMACY (FID)
Charles Randall Paul, Ph.D., Executive Director

Founding advisors:

Martin Marty (U. of Chicago), David Tracy (U. of Chicago), William Vendley (Secretary General, World Conference on Religion and Peace), Scott Appleby (Notre Dame Institute for International Peace Studies), Ambassador John McDonald (Chairman, Foundation for Multi-track Diplomacy), Chris Seiple (Institute for Global Engagement), Robert Traer (Oxford International Interfaith Center), Marc Gopin (Tufts U.), Charles Haynes (Director, The First Amendment Center), Dr. David Smock (U.S. Institute of Peace), Cole Durham (Co chairman, OSC Institute for Freedom of Religion or Belief), David Steele (Center for International and Strategic Studies)

MISSION: The foundation has been established to build respect and trust among people engaged in irresolvable religious or ideological conflicts in families, communities and societies.
VISION: A world where conflicts over inevitable religious and ideological differences can be sustained peacefully as forthright contests of persuasion between respectful, trustworthy opponents. A peaceful world is not quiet, but a place of lively striving between honest people who, without coercion or violence, promote different views of the highest way or purpose for life. Interreligious diplomacy is designed to change hateful enemies into trustworthy opponents. The motto for people engaged in sincere interreligious diplomacy is contestare ex bona fide, contest (or testify) in good faith.

SITUATION: Among diverse believers there is no universally acceptable authority to resolve religious conflicts about ultimate reality, the purpose of life, and the correct way to live. Inevitably, intelligent, well-meaning people believe their chosen religion or ideology to be superior to less appealing alternatives. This judgment is not an act of arrogance, but a sincere expression of conscience. Nevertheless, advocating one superior truth offensively calls into question other traditions by which families, communities, and societies establish purpose and order. Thus, religion unavoidably generates trust and solidarity among some while eliciting distrust, ill will and violence among others. We need new ways to engage irresolvable religious differences that will build trust and cooperation among those remain sincerely and adamantly opposed in their convictions.

STRATEGY: The foundation aims to build trust and respect between adversaries who feel ethically bound to promote or defend their religion and criticize others. It does so by bringing opponents together in safe conditions to engage in forthright contestations over serious religious differences. The goal is not to resolve the conflicts but sustain them through dignified persuasive exchanges.

ORGANIZATION: The Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy is a private charitable foundation, established in 2000. It is in the process of gathering a religiously diverse board of trustees to oversee its programs. Charles Randall Paul, Ph.D., is the Founder and Executive Director. For further information, contact him at email, eriseros@att.net, or telephone, (801)
783 1440.

SUBSIDARIES. FID implements its organized research through various organizations, such as Global Scholarly Publications (GSP).

Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy
President : Fred Miller, Jr.

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