"...when we choose to wonder about people we don't know, when we imagine their lives and listen for their stories, we begin to expand the circle of those we see as part of us."
– See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur
Relationships Across Differences Can Make a Difference, But How?
By Rev. Dr. Thomas Duke
This article from the New York Times tells a story. Like good stories that have lessons for us, it deals with complexities and differences, in this case intensely different religious and social justice views. This story shows how relationships across religious differences can make a difference in the bigger picture of how suffering and injustice are addressed. It illustrates how respect and trust can be developed without requiring agreement on everything, and without parties giving up deeply held commitments and values. But the article may raise tough questions about how and when we prioritize building and maintaining relationships, on one hand, and advocacy of our positions, causes and values on the other, and the tensions involved in trying to do both. See what you think. Share your comments.
(Image above by Allie Sullberg)
Art, Religion, and Academic Freedom: Lessons From the Hamline/Prophet Muhammad Controversy
Constructive ways for leaders in higher education and other sectors to navigate the inevitable conflicts that will emerge in a religiously diverse democracy.
On January 31, Interfaith America convened a distinguished panel of educators to discuss the recent events at Hamline University and suggest constructive ways for leaders in higher education and other sectors to navigate the inevitable conflicts that will emerge in a religiously diverse democracy.
Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, moderated the discussion that included:
Maria Dixon Hall, Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Professor of Organizational Communication at Southern Methodist University Laurie Patton, President of Middlebury College Omid Safi, Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University
The Light We Give: Sikh Wisdom for Cultivating Empathy and Justice Saturday, May 6, 11:00 am Iverson Center for Faith, outdoor amphitheater, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul (map)
Growing up in South Texas, Dr. Simran Jeet Singh and his brothers confronted racism daily. As a turbaned, bearded, brown-skinned Sikh, he continued to face prejudice and hate in college and beyond. Simran chose to be defined not by the negativity that often surrounded him but by the Sikh teachings of love and justice that he grew up with. Delving deep into these core tenets of Sikh wisdom, he has sought to embrace an outlook that guides us to see the good in everyone and to forge a path of positivity, connection, and service—a way of life that so many of us are seeking in today’s world.
We all say that we choose love over hate. But when tested, we realize that it’s easier said than done and that our empathy for others is not rooted deeply enough. As a turbaned and bearded Sikh man, Simran has been subjected to racism his whole life. He has been working on the frontlines of hate violence for more than a decade. And yet, he has managed to avoid falling into the toxic trap of hate and anger. In this lecture, drawing on his recent book The Light We Give, he will draw from his personal experiences and from hate incidents he has witnessed firsthand to share the wisdom he has gained on what it really takes to choose love over hate.
Simran Jeet Singh, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and the author of the national bestseller The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life(Riverhead, Penguin Random House). Simran's thought leadership on bias, empathy, and justice extends across corporate, university, and government settings. He is an Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity with Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, a Visiting Lecturer at Union Seminary, and a Senior Advisor on Equity and Inclusion for YSC Consulting, part of Accenture.
Advocating for Change A Community Connector Webinar by Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light Tue, February 7, 7 pm - 8:30 pm on Zoom
MNIPL and a coalition of Indigenous, faith, social, and environmental justice organizations have created an Indigenous Rights & Climate Justice Platform for the 2023 Minnesota legislative session.
Get ready to show up and bring your voice to a momentous agenda that’s pushing for large-scale change. This webinar will be led by MNIPL’s executive director, Julia Nerbonne, who has a Ph.D. in social movements and is an expert in creating effective ways we can multiply our “people power.”
Learn values-based advocacy skills that can be used when you contact your legislator, write a letter to the editor, organize your congregation or community to act, and more.
While we will be focusing on bills and policies in Minnesota, these skills apply for any issue or location. All are welcome!
Native American Spirituality Community Education Course led by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy
Thursdays (February 23rd – April 27th with no meeting on March 30th and April 6th) from 6:30-7:45 pm on Zoom; one in-person gathering on Thursday, April 13th with Dr. Gwen Westerman
Beginning Thursday February 23rd, this course will explore Indigenous perspectives on spirituality, language, voice, history, interpretation, and values through an Indigenous theological lens and cross-disciplinary contextual study.
Through this course, you will obtain knowledge about, comprehension of, and insight into the importance and relevance of spirituality among Native American cultures. You will make connections between spirituality and how you understand yourself, your place in the world, and your relationship with others; between religion, spirituality, and your own beliefs, attitudes, and values; between spiritual beliefs and practices of Native American tribes with their local environments and various expressions such as origin stores, cosmologies, sacred sites, symbolism, and rituals.
Abraham’s angels to Europe’s refugees: the ethic and challenge of hospitality
February 27, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM McNeely Hall 100 at University of St. Thomas (map)
Religious and philosophical traditions have extolled hospitality a fundamental ethic in human relationships. Abraham is said to have inspired a theology of hospitality often echoed in Jewish, Christian and Islamic literature, one which has frequently been used as a framework for interreligious dialogue. But hospitality is more than an act of charity or simple welcome; it is an obligation which demands transformation of the self and society. Today, the effects of globalization, increased migration and conflicts have led to the vast displacement of people towards Europe. This has reignited the question of who should be made welcome and forced many to rethink the category of stranger, guest and neighbor.
A program of the Encountering Islam Initiative, the Department of Theology presents the fifth annual Terence Nichols Memorial Symposium. Dr. Fuad Naeem will introduce Dr. Mona Siddiqui.
Professor Mona Siddiqui is an internationally recognised academic and broadcaster at the University of Edinburgh. She is Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies as well as Assistant Principal for Religion and Society. Her research areas are primarily in the field of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and ethics and Christian-Muslim relations.
Registration is helpful but not required. All are welcome.
(Image above is Abraham and Three Angels by Marc Chagall)
Resources & News
Parents’ views on passing on their religious beliefs
About a third (35%) of parents with children under 18 in the United States say it is extremely or very important to them that their children share their religious beliefs as adults, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. White evangelical Protestant (70%) and Black Protestant (53%) parents are more likely than Catholic (35%) and White non-evangelical Protestant (29%) parents to say this. And just 8% of those who are religiously unaffiliated hold this view.
Overall, parents are split on whether they are raising their children similarly to how they were raised (43%) or trying to take a different approach (44%). Among parents who say they are raising their children similarly to their own upbringing, the main way they are doing so involves values and religion, including 17% who specifically mentioned religion in this open-ended question. Many in this category say they want to pass along the same religious beliefs and values their parents instilled in them.
Among those who are taking a different approach with their children, fewer (7%) specifically cite faith. Read more of the report: Parenting in America Today.
Learn about an upcoming Jewish holiday, Tu Bishvat. In 2023, the "birthday of the trees" begins at sundown on Sunday, Feb. 5 and ends at sundown on Monday, Feb. 6.
Consider hosting a Respectful Conversation with Minnesota Council of Churches to boost your community’s conflict management capacity and enhance discipleship as people become better listeners.
Listen to a new podcast called Uniting America with John Wood, Jr. John Wood Jr. is National Ambassador for Braver Angels and has spent his life at the intersections of race, class, politics and faith rebuilding trust between the American people to save American democracy.
More Events
MICAH St. Paul 2023 [Virtual] Housing Policy Breakfast: A New Dawn of Abundance (Friday, February 3, 8 to 9:30 am – Zoom)
The 2023 Minnesota Legislature has a monetary abundance and the will to get things done. Let’s work together toward a MN where everyone, without exception, has safe, decent, accessible, and affordable housing!
State Representative Athena Hollins (DFL-66B), former Housing Chair Alice Hausman, and Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong will be speaking, as well as others living with housing insecurity, and those who advocate for housing justice.
This event is free and open to the public! More info at this link. Register here!
