Discussion Series on
Faith and Politics
at Pennamma Bhavanam

In the contemporary world, the deabte on the political dimension of faith remains as a key issue, especially in the context of the neo liberal world order and its construction of the terrorism discourse. The question of faith is also important in the context of the fresh insights on the secularism/nationalism discourse.

In this context, we would like to initiate fresh debate on the theme through a series of sessions.
The details of the Sessions are given below:

Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 2.30 PM
Session led by Prof C. Mammachen

Friday, February 12, 2010, 2.30 PM
led by Rev. Thomas John

Friday, February 26, 2010, 2.30 PM
led by Rev. MJ Joseph

Saturday, March 13, 2010, 2.30 PM
led by Prof. Mammen Varkey

ALL ARE WELCOME

M M Thomas Remembrance Gettogether 2009

MM Thomas Remembrance Gettogether 2009
We have come together on Friday 04 Decemer 2009 (from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm) at Pennamma Bhavanam to comemmorate Dr MM Thomas on his death anniversary. The programme has begun with singing, worship and bible study, followed by a Seminar on

"Refelctions on Land and Development"
Theme Presentation was made by Smt. Sara Joseph (Renowned feminist writer and activist)
Presentations: Sreeraman Koyyon, Geethanandan & Varghese George

The get together was planned in the backdrop of the contemporary new social movements emerging from the nook an corner of India, which bring in the issue of land and development from different vatage points.

Nalini Naik

Sara Joseph, Rev M J Joseph (chair)

audience

Sara Joseph

audience

audience

BIBLE STUDY on the Economic Glory of King Solomon

Bible Study Series

"ECONOMIC GLORY OF KING SOLOMON"
(based on the texts, 1 Kings 4:20-28: 6:23-38;7:13-26; 9:26-10:10)

the session was led by
Rev. Dr. R.C. Thomas

date: 28 september 2009 monday
time: 2.30 pm
venue: Pennnammabhavanam

Lohiya Birth Centenary Caravan visited Pennamma Bhavanam

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (1910-1967)

Portrait in India ink by V.N. O'key

An All India Yatra of 30 young socialists, led by Dr. Sunilam Ex.MLA, to spread the ideals of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (1910-1967), the great socialist leader of India, on his birth centenary was welcomed at Pennamma Bhavanam, Tiruvalla on 18th August 2009, Tuesday 11 am.
There was a reception-gettogether arranged in Pennamma Bhavanam to welcome the caravan and listen to the message of the Yathra.

Next Programme: BIBLE STUDY on delhi High Court Verdict on Homosexuality (Repealing of Aricle 377)

Bible Study Series

Understanding the Message of the Bible in the context of the Delhi High Court Verdict on Homosexuality

session was led by

Mr. Yacob Thomas

Date: 2.30 pm, Saturday, 12 September 2009

Venue: Pennamma Bhavanam

The Delhi High Court Verdict that Repealed Article 377 of Indian Penal Code (the article declared Homosexuality as 'against nature' and thereby suggesting same sex a punishable offence) provoked the conservative sections of society but for the LGBT community India the verdict brought in relief from the trauma of marginalisation, social exclusion and moral policing. The church responses to the verdict was by and large conservative, and the biblical texts like that on 'Sodom and Gomora' (Genesis 19:1-29) were quoted to underscore the God's disapproval to homosexuality, marking it as evil and sinful. The bible study gathering examined key biblical texts to understand the God's message to the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders (LGBT) in India. The story of the love between David and Jonathan was discussed in some detail. The bible study gathering also introduced the Queer Biblical Hermenuetics as a strong contemporary movement withing Christian theology.

For further reading:

NCCI Seminar on the Verdict

Sermon by Dr. George Zachariah

ALL ARE WELCOME

next programme: seminar series on the question of IDENTITY

“An Introduction to the Question of Identity”

Paper presentation by

Mr. K. K. Baburaj
(Eminent thinker & dalit activist)

Date: 2 pm, Saturday, 15 August 2009
Venue: Pennamma Bhavanam (Amalloor Road, Manjadi, Tiruvalla)

The question of identity is a continuing debate in social theory and in the realm of political activism. The subaltern groups have been raising this question for the last two decades. The identity politics raised by the marginalised groups, especially the dalits in India, affirmed their standpoint as the politics of difference against the claims of modernity that a universal, homogenous common identity is possible. It was pointed out that the universality of a human identity presupposes the white male european identity which obliterates the possibilities for other identities and world views. However, a criticism raised against the identity politics (from different vantagepoints) is that it is sectarian and essentialist. The paper will present the history of the identity politics, divulging out the richness and diversity of the debate.

All are Welcome

Film and Theology

Spirituality of PerceptioN
A Series of Workshops on Film and Theology

Date: 11-12 July 2009
Venue: Pennamma Bhavanam, Manjadi, Tiruvala


Main Resource Person: Mr. Joro Joseph (Film Studies Scholar)

The discussions and classes was based on the screening of the following films:
' Bicycle Thieves ', 'Modern Times', 'Dreams', & 'Spring, Winter, Summer and Again Spring'