'On Topic with Ken Starr' To Feature Conversation Sept. 10 with Os Guinness, Author of 'The Global Public Square'

September 6, 2013
Os Guinness, author of "The Global Public Square"

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Baylor president welcomes distinguished writer and social critic for conversation on religious freedom and diversity, other important issues facing nation, world

WACO, Texas (Sept. 6, 2013) - Baylor University President Ken Starr will welcome prolific writer and social critic Os Guinness, author of the just-released book The Global Public Square: Religious Freedom and the Making of a World Safe for Diversity, for "On Topic," a series of compelling conversations on contemporary issues, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Waco Hall on the Baylor campus.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public, but a ticket is required. Tickets are available in person at the Bill Daniel Student Center ticket office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Depending on availability, tickets may be obtained at Waco Hall on Sept. 10, beginning at 2 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

In The Global Public Square, Guinness calls for a bold reaffirmation of the priority of religious freedom for people of all faiths and none, and calls on the U.S. to transcend its endless and wasteful culture warring, and to regain its historic leadership of this issue.

"Our 'On Topic' series has brought to the Baylor campus some of the world's most outstanding public servants and scholars. For Tuesday's 'On Topic' conversation, we are honored to have the prominent social critic and Christian scholar/author Os Guinness as our distinguished guest," Starr said. "In his wonderful book, The Global Public Square, Os Guinness articulates a much-needed solution for maintaining healthy perspective amidst the conflicts that arise in modern life. In what he calls 'soul freedom,' Os offers a constructive vision for how society can address the issue of human dignity and justice for all. We look forward to welcoming Os to the Baylor campus and to an active, thoughtful and inspiring conversation on Tuesday."

ABOUT OS GUINNESS

Os Guinness, D.Phil., is the author or editor of more than 25 books, including The American Hour, Time for Truth, The Call, A Free People's Suicide and The Case for Civility. Previously, Os was a freelance reporter with the BBC, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies.

From 1986 to 1989, Guinness served as executive director of The Williamsburg Charter Foundation, a bicentennial celebration of the First Amendment. In this position he helped to draft The Williamsburg Charter, which was signed by former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, Chief Justices William Rehnquist and Warren Burger, Coretta Scott King, Elie Wiesel, several members of Congress and many others.

A prominent social critic, Guinness is the founder of the Trinity Forum and was senior fellow there until 2004, conducting seminars for leaders around the world and publishing seven major curricula. He has been a frequent speaker and seminar leader at political and business conferences in both Europe and the United States, and has addressed audiences from the British House of Commons to the U.S. Congress. He has also been the subject of numerous media interviews, appearing on programs such as C-SPAN's "Booknotes." His countless addresses at leading universities worldwide have helped to influence an entire generation of thinkers.

Os lives with his wife, Jenny, near Washington, D.C.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.