A fresh perspective on religion has hit Knoxville airwaves … and it’s

getting attention!

The show, aptly named Religion and the Human Prospect delves into

the issues that touch all of our lives. The host, Charles Reynolds, head of

the Religious Studies Department at the UT, uses his knowledge and

experience in world religions to help bring a multi-cultural understanding

of religion to Knoxvillians.

Every Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., you can tune in to

NewsTalk-AM 990, or on the FM dial you’ll find it on 99.1. The show was

designed by Michael Hammond from WIVK along with Reynolds in an effort to

“bring an open public discussion about religion in East Tennessee,”

Reynolds said.

Religion and the Human Prospect has a talk show format. It deals

with a wide array of topics ranging from views on the death penalty to

discussions on the similarities between major world religions. There is

usually a guest speaker along with Reynolds and phone lines are open for

questions or comments on that day’s topics. Guest speakers have included

Ralph Norman and Stan Lusby from UT and other religious scholars from

across the country.

Reynolds agreed to do this program to help educate people about world

religions and how these religions are affected by current issues in our

society. “I want people to think about religion and what it is to be

human,” Reynolds said. “I have been so pleased with how receptive the

audience has been to thinking about religion in different social and

historical contexts and in doing so, asking overall very intelligent

questions.”

“This area has a history of being known as closed-minded, especially when

it comes to religion,” said listener Chloe Chitwood in a recent interview.

“Religion and the Human Prospect shows a different angle on religion

and appeals to people from every background. I like the way Dr. Reynolds

presents himself on the air. He encompasses all of the parameters that make

you want to learn and continue learning. The show has good, quality guests,

educated and well spoken … it’s just what East Tennessee needs.”

Reynolds received his master’s degree in Religion and Social Ethics at

Southern Methodist University and his Doctorate from Harvard in Social

Ethics involving Religion, Philosophy and Law. As well as being the Head of

the Religious Studies Department, he is also the founding editor of the

Journal of Religious Ethics and an adjunct professor for the

Department of Philosophy at UT.