President Gerald Grudzen and others discuss UN Development Goals and Global Ethics.

Marita Grudzen takes us through the very real problem of the climate crisis as it pertains to UN Development goals. 

The GMU Board of Directors convened online this October to delve into the heart of our university's current landscape and chart a course for a vibrant and sustainable future. The collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication displayed during this gathering truly exemplify GMU's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that uplifts every student. This was more than just a meeting; it was a rallying cry for all of us to unite in our pursuit of excellence and social justice.

Misinformation vs disinformation: what’s the difference, and why does it matter?



In last month’s column, I said I would talk next about writing a thesis statement. But because in the United States the presidential election looms closer and closer, and we’re all being bombarded with emails, texts, “snail” mail, TV ads, phone calls, and—most significant of all—social media postings spreading “information” about candidates, measures, or propositions, I think it’s more appropriate to explore this topic. As I’m sure everyone understands by now, what you read, hear, or see online or in print may or may not be factual. Thus, we hear the terms “misinformation” and “disinformation,” sometimes (wrongly) used interchangeably. 

The terms misinformation and disinformation both refer to false or inaccurate information, but they differ in meaning:

1. Misinformation: This is false or inaccurate information that is spread without the intention to deceive. 
2. Disinformation: This refers to false information that is deliberately created and spread with the intent to mislead or manipulate. It’s intentionally designed to deceive or influence people's opinions, beliefs, or actions. We see much more disinformation during an election cycle. 

Examples: Awhile back the local newspaper in our small town in rural, wildfire-prone Northern California published a piece about a guy who one evening, probably after imbibing “tee many martoonis” (as my dad used to say) looked over into the hills behind his house and felt certain they were on fire. He was convinced he saw a glowing, red ball of flames rising in the hills and called the emergency number, 911. After a few more sips of his martini, he looked again and realized—oops, it was the moon coming up over the treetops, the red color reflecting the setting sun. He quickly called 911 again and apologized. He’d given out misinformation. Unintentionally. 

Now imagine that this fellow’s young son, working reluctantly on a challenging homework assignment, looks out the window and sees the same thing. Knowing full well that the red ball is actually the moon, but thinking quickly, he devises a plan: he runs to his dad yelling, “Fire, fire! We have to evacuate!” in an attempt to avoid doing his homework. “Nice try,” his dad calmly responds, “Now get back in there and finish your algebra assignment.” The boy’s false reporting is a case of disinformation. It was intentional. 

And then there’s fake news, which has been defined as “purposefully crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or totally fabricated information that mimics the form of mainstream news” (Zimdars & McLeod, 2020). Had the gentleman or his son in the example above written an article or posted a factual-sounding report on Facebook or somewhere describing a huge, raging fire consuming the foothills and threatening hundreds of homes, they’d have created fake news. 

All three of these forms of false information are dangerous and can affect the outcome of public policy, elections, and academic research. Don’t believe everything you read or hear. Analyze, investigate, do further research. Check a variety of reliable sources before accepting questionable information. And don’t drink “too many martinis!”

Questions? Comments? Need help with research? Contact me: 

Judy Clarence, M.L.I.S., GMU Librarian

librarian@globalministriesuniversity.org

GMU mourns the passing of Fethullah Gulen

President Grudzen had the opportunity to meet Fethullah Gulen several years ago in Pennsylvania at his retreat center. The Director of the Bay Area Pacifica Institute, Doctor Nurdin Kaparova, has asked President Grudzen to issue a video statement on the spiritual leader's passing.

President Grudzen will journey to Allentown, PA, with members of the Pacifica Institute to attend funeral services for the honorable Fethullah Gulen on Thursday, October 24. It is fitting since October 24 is United Nations Day, and Mr. Gulen was a strong defender of human rights and interfaith understanding in alignment with fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

President Grudzen and Marita Grudzen participated in "Christian Spirituality and Pope Francis: An Interfaith Journey of Engagement" at Maryknoll Los Altos, CA, on October 19, at which President Grudzen spoke about interfaith spirituality.

GMU partners with the Institute of Science and Religion program in Cochin, India. You can view lectures on their YouTube channel.

Theology for the 21st Century

A new cohort in the GMU's Religion and Science Program will begin in January 2025. Discover the compatibility of science, spirituality, and faith.

President Grudzen, Marita Grudzen, and Robert Graf will lecture on the ethical dimensions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Education in the Religion and Science curricula. Look for the lectures soon on the GMU YouTube Channel.

First Cohort Graduates

GMU congratulates the following students for completing their studies in the Religion and Science Master of Theology program:

Enos Kamau

Asoontha Mathew

Bindu Thomas

Emotions, Beliefs, and Mental Health

President Grudzen, Robert Graf, and Thomas James will present papers at the international Religion and Science symposium in Kerala, India, from February 1 to February 3, 2025. Father Augustine Pamplany is the director of this conference in collaboration with GMU.

Collaboration with People's Catholic Seminary

GMU seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of those who wish to start Intentional Eucharistic Communities. Together with PCS, GMU is now offering:

Creating Inclusive Eucharistic Communities in an Emerging Synodal Church 

5 sessions  $475 + $25 App Fee

Women in the Bible and Christian Tradition

5 sessions  $475 + $25 App Fee

Credit for these courses can be applied towards a GMU graduate degree or certificate.

Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, D.Min., ARCWP, Dean of GMU's D.Min/M.Div. Programs, has documented international response to the recent ordination of women priests on the Tiber. https://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2024/10/article-on-tiber-ordinationn.html?m=1

Dealing with the milestones in people's lives is a huge responsibility. Rather than 'wing it,' you should be prepared to offer professional, quality service. We take you through your wedding ceremony and funeral service training with this goal in mind. We can provide you with the tools to make a difference in the world!

~Michael Conley, D.Min.

You are most welcome to gather with other Celtic Spirits on a journey around the Celtic Wheel of the Year. The Celtic Wheel offers a framework to explore Celtic Spirituality, the cyclical nature of the seasons and the eight festivals of the year, observed throughout the Celtic lands. 

PCA 721-Gathering of Celtic Spirit

Instructor: Mary Coffey

I’m a creative soul, laughing.

I'm also a mixed-media artist, teacher, a certified spiritual director, and a priest ordained in the independent Catholic movement. I’m curious to see how the Divine shows up in and through creative expression both on the canvas and in real life.

Retreat/Independent Course: Celebrating the Sacred Feminine in Your Life with Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan

"Celebrating the Sacred Feminine in Your Life" invites you to explore the beautiful mosaic of names and images that depict God's all-embracing, inclusive love for us. Each section provides imagery of the sacred feminine in Scripture, in Christian mystics, and in contemporary life. Open yourself to your belovedness as an image of the Divine Feminine in prayer and action, and explore new paths to spiritual healing, nourishment, and transformation in our world.

Celebrating the Sacred Feminine in Your Life is available as a private retreat, an independent study, or as a course for sharing in a cohort model.

Cohorts meet in a Zoom video conference to share insights on their meditations.

For those taking this course as an independent study or retreat, Bridget Mary will be available upon request to share with you in phone or Zoom conversations. 

Keynote speakers for the conference include Rev. Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C. author of A Theology of Migration: The Bodies of Refugees and the Body of Christ, which won first-place honors from the Catholic Press Association; Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; and Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, D.D., Bishop of El Paso, Texas..

Technical Director of Conference Abducted in Kenya

Mustafa Genç, who has led the technical operations of the biennial conference from Harmony Institute and the Institute for Religious Dialogue and Islamic Studies at Tangaza University (IRDIS) was kidnapped with other Turkish refugees in Kenya by gunmen on October 18.

Their refoulement to Turkey is feared.

Learn more at these links:

Amnesty International Statement on the Abduction and Disappearance of Seven Turkish Asylum Seekers

Turkish citizens under UN protection feared to have been abducted by Turkish intelligence in Kenya

Help Us Bring Them Home: Demand Immediate Action for the Missing Victims in Kenya

As world mourns Gulen, Kenya deports refugees linked to his Hizmet movement

 President Grudzen has pledged GMU's support of the Proposal for Nature and Climate to the Bezos' Earth Fund as a "Contributing Interfaith Organization."

GMU will partner with Omeriey Foundation as the focal point in Kenya, and participate as the USA mentor for Makerere University Kampala and Nairobi University in the EARTH FUNDS AI for Climate and Environmental Challenges in September 2025

GMU has received a major donation of $20,000 from the estate of Frank Pisciotta, a GMU board member, GMU graduate, and member of our Kenya interfaith educational faculty.

GMU has been asked to designate $5,000 of the donation for support of the Maryknoll education project for orphan children in Mombasa. GMU will provide financial support for the Hope Project in the month of October. The Hope Project is led by Rich Tarro. a Maryknoll lay missioner in Mombasa, Kenya.

GMU operates under the corporate umbrella of the Federation of Community Ministries of California (FCM of CA), originally formed on October 30, 1997, when we gained the status of a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. GMU is registered in Santa Clara County, CA, as a DBA of FCM of CA. The two entities have the same Board of Directors.

Help Our Global Family

https://www.globalministriesuniversity.org/

info@globalministriesuniversity.org