“In light of some of the major issues facing this country, such as immigration, the refugee crisis and Islamaphobia, I think we need to create higher levels of understanding and dialogue,” Bob Houghtaling said.

Houghtaling, director of the East Greenwich Drug Program, will host a panel discussion, “What Would Roger Do?” this Thursday, bringing together panelists from every walk of life to discuss these concerns.

The discussion is co-sponsored by the East Greenwich Academy Foundation and the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.

In his growing concern for the aforementioned issues, Houghtaling began to wonder what our state’s founder, Roger Williams, would think. Having founded the state on the principles of religious freedom, embracing non-traditional persons and providing asylum, where would Roger Williams stand on these concerns?

“I began thinking about whether or not we have followed the principles he set by establishing this state,” Houghtaling said. “ How far have we progressed from these ideals and where do we need to go from here.”

The discussion will begin with a presentation on the history of Roger Williams, his philosophies and the establishment of Rhode Island and then open up to six panelists from different religious demographics to give an overview of their beliefs on each topic and how they affect their communities before opening up to a question and answer.

Rather than just make fun of Donald Trump or his supporters, Houghtaling thought it was important to “lift the dialogue” creating an educational platform through which these issues can be discussed.

“These issues are powerful and on the forefront of our discussions,” Houghtaling said.

But a lot of the issue is people are afraid, but that fear is based in misunderstanding and misconceptions about people and cultures.” He reasons that fear can make people do crazy things, but in extending a hand to one another good things can happen.

The panel offers an opportunity for people to learn and advance the conversation in a productive way and how we can reach the goals set forth by Roger Williams. Houghtaling believes this will be a fun way to look at our history and how it helped to establish the “basic precepts of this country”

Houghtaling said, “Our world is getting smaller every day. We need to take a good look at ourselves.”

The panel discussion is free to the public and will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 11 at East Greenwich Town Hall, 125 Main St., East Greenwich.

For more information visit the East Greenwich Academy Foundation’s website at www.egacademyfoundation.org or the Rhode Island Council of Churches website at www.councilofchurchesri.org.