CLEARFIELD --A series of free lectures on different faiths begins June 14 as representatives of Layton's Wat Dhammagunaram Buddhist Temple share information on Buddhism with Davis County residents.

The series will include lectures on five faiths and will be held each Thursday evening at the North Branch Davis County Library, 562 S. 100 East, Clearfield, at 6 p.m. The lectures are free and open to the public.

The series continues on June 21 with an address on Islam; June 28, Evangelical Christianity; July 5, Judaism; and July 12, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Syracuse resident Geoffrey Austad has organized the series as a community service project to help build community and foster understanding between people of differing faiths.

Austad is working through Landmark Education, a program to help people understand themselves and others, Austad said.

This worldwide organization holds forums locally in West Valley City where participants take part in a three-day forum described as a learning experience.

Austad said he was im-pressed with the similarities, "the overlaps in faith," and believes people can build community on those similarities. He also wants the lectures to educate people on other's viewpoints in a non-threatening atmosphere.

mwilliams@davisclipper.com