L.A. Buddhists to Protest Statues’ Destruction

The destruction of ancient and monumental statues of Buddhas in Afghanistan by the fundamentalist Taliban regime continues to outrage religious leaders.

Buddhists in Los Angeles are urging those at Sunday’s Academy Awards to wear white ribbons as a symbol of protest. The campaign is sponsored by the Khandakapala Buddhist Center. (323) 733-8534

Afghans in Los Angeles plan a demonstration Sunday at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd. in Westwood to speak out against the destruction of the giant Buddhas of Bamian province, which date to the 3rd and 5th centuries, as well as to draw attention to the plight of Afghans living under the Taliban. Information on protest: (310) 435-1067 or (714) 338-7328.

EVENTS

“Exodus 2001,” an interactive exhibit in Westwood that lets visitors experience the pyramids, the parting of the Sea of Reeds and Moses’ cry, “Let my people go,” continues through Wednesday. The exhibit, constructed on the third floor of Chabad headquarters with the help of set designers, animators, actors and Hasidic rabbis, will be open 1-7 p.m. Sunday. For weekday hours, call (310) 824-2128. Children in groups, $4; individual children, $6; adults, $8. 741 Galey Ave. (310) 208-7511.

* “Salvation Matters: Can Progressives Be Saved?” is the subject of a seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the La Tijera/Los Angeles Korean United Methodist Church, 7400 Osage Ave., Westchester, featuring the Rev. Mary Elizabeth Moore, professor at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. $30. (909) 628-1107.

* Atheists United, led by Harry Schwartzbart, will discuss the separation of church and state under the Bush administration at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Center for Inquiry West, 5519 Grosvenor Blvd., Mar Vista. Free. (818) 785-1743.

* “The Bible and Politics,” “Ethics in Hollywood” and “The Presidency in Crisis (Again!)” are among the topics at a daylong seminar that begins with 9:30 a.m. registration today at the annual President’s Day at Loyola Marymount University, 7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles. $30, includes lunch. (310) 338-3065.

* The Red Ape Rain Forest exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo will be the highlight of a biblical tour of the zoo Sunday at noon, led by Rabbi Natan Slifkin, director of education projects at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, $25 adults, $18 children. Reservations required. (310) 229-0958

PEOPLE

Archbishop Demetrios, head of the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States, will begin a four-day Southern California visit Thursday. He will lecture at noon Friday at Loyola Marymount University, and will meet with community and religious leaders, including Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, at noon next Saturday in the Byzantine-Latino Quarter of Los Angeles. On April 1 at 10 a.m. he will celebrate a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 737-2424.

* Father Frank Desiderio has been elected president of the Humanitas Prize, which annually recognizes writers of films and television shows that entertain and enrich the viewing public. He succeeds the late Father Ellwood “Bud” Kieser, who died last year. The Humanitas Prize, established 28 years ago, will hold its 2001 awards luncheon June 28. Deadline for submissions is April 1.

MUSIC

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by associate conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, will mark the 100th birthday of American composer Aaron Copland with two concerts this weekend, featuring baritone Nmon Ford singing “Old American Songs.” The concerts will include Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” suite. Today at 8 p.m. at Wilshire United Methodist Church, 4350 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, and Sunday at 4 p.m. at Long Beach City College Auditorium, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach. Free.

* The Crown City Consort’s inaugural concert, led by artistic director Steven Scharf and featuring John Sebastian Bach’s Third Orchestral Suite and the Magnificat, to benefit the AIDS Service Center of Pasadena, will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. $25. Call Suren Seropian at AIDS Service Center, 626 441-8495, Ext. 244.

* The Harter Memorial Hand Bell Choir from Northern Arizona University and the Van Etten Hand Bell Choir of Pasadena Presbyterian Church will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Free. (626) 793-2191, Ext. 2.

* Lyric soprano Karen LaCroix will perform songs from “Porgy and Bess” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, 3740 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles. $20. (323) 735-5799.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; faxed to Southern California File at (213) 237-2358, or e-mailed to religion@latimes.com.