UNC Asheville's Religious Studies Department and History Department will host a talk on by noted southern religions scholar Samuel Hill at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at UNC Asheville's Reuter Center. The talk -- "Tell About the South: Why Are They So Religious?" – will examine southern religions and religious history. The event is free and open to the public.

Hill, a native of Kentucky, holds a doctorate in religion from Duke University. His first book, "Southern Churches in Crisis," was published in 1966 and solidified his place a "founding father" of the study of Southern religions history. Today it is considered a classic in the field. During a long and distinguished career at the University of Florida, Hill continued to promote the scholarly study of religion in the South in books and articles. He also served as editor of a number of widely respected reference works, including "Encyclopedia of Religion in the South" and "New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture: Volume One: Religion." Now retired, Hill lives in Black Mountain with his wife Helen.

For more information, call UNC Asheville's Religious Studies Department at 828/250-2392.