Are Religion and Violence Inextricably Linked? | An Interview with Richard Stockton

Broadcast on 15 November 2014 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream. 

'It’s A Question Of Balance’ balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage with the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

This Saturday November 8th 8-9 PM on It’s A Question Of Balance with Ruth Copland we consider ‘Are religion and violence inextricably linked?’ Religious scholar Karen Armstrong states that many people “believe instinctively that there is a violent essence inherent in religion, which inevitably radicalizes any conflict - because once combatants are convinced that God is on their side, compromise becomes impossible and cruelty knows no bounds.” But is violence in the name of, or in defense of, religion a cover for other agendas?  Does religious violence actually have more to do with politics and social order? Or is some level of violence inevitable in the defense of faith? What do you think?

HOUR 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Richard Stockton

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing Richard Stockton, comedian, performer, writer, storyteller, musician, radio host and Gail Rich Award winner. In 1982 Richard became the morning talk show host of WKDA/KDF in Nashville, Tennessee which was the number one talk show in the mid south for two years. In 1986 he became a full time touring comedian, based in San Francisco. In his twenty-eight years as a standup comedian he has appeared on dozens of national TV shows and has headlined A-List comedy clubs from coast to coast – Improv, Punchline, Comedy Underground, Comedy Works, and more – growing an audience of devotees to his unique take on the human potential movement. His first book, Fondle The Fear is now in its third printing, and is the basis for a TV show by the same name. He also creates short stories of transformation for NPR stations KQED, KUSP and KAZU in Northern California. He is the originator and star of the one-man comedy theatre show Are We There Yet?’- a journey through the past 60 years and crossing into the next 30 – on the voyage of the baby boomer generation. Planet Cruz Comedy with Richard Stockton, a comedy/variety show with the finest progressive stand-ups in the country, along with comedy sketches about the state of Santa Cruz, all to the beat of the Planetoid Band, comes to The Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz on November 22nd 2014. For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com