Saturday Scholars: A Rabbi, a Priest, and an Imam Walk into a Coffee Shop - Talking about Other People's Religions in the Middle Ages

You are invited to experience an intimate discussion with Notre Dame’s most engaging faculty speakers on some of the most pressing and fascinating issues of our times. Each lecture and Q&A is presented on a “home game” Saturday.

“A Rabbi, a Priest, and an Imam Walk into a Coffee Shop: Talking about Other People’s Religions in the Middle Ages” is presented by Tom Burman, Director, Medieval Institute, Professor of History.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived side by side for centuries in the medieval Mediterranean world and, especially among the decently educated, knew a lot about each others’ beliefs and practices. This lecture focuses on three medieval scholars - one rabbi, one priest, and one imam - who had a lot to say about their rival religions, arguing that there is much more going on when they did so than just ugly denunciation. Sometimes, for example, by attacking someone else’s religion, such scholars were really attacking members of their own faith community, and often their attacks on a rival religion wound up partially validating its very existence.

All lectures are free and open to the public. 

Originally published at al.nd.edu.