The ‘Hindu’ Identity
Hariḥ Ōm and Namaste (customary greeting of Hindus). This being my first post on ‘State of Formation’, I would like to express my great pleasure in being amid this crowd of intellectuals and academicians. Interfaith dialogue is a must- evermore so in today’s world, filled with strife and violence in the name of religion. Unfortunately, [...]
The Spiritually Urgent Response To Our Ecological Crisis
Continuing my series on being ”A Yogi at Union” with an exploration on the need for an urgent and compassionate call from the spiritual/theological tradition concerning our existential ecological crisis. You can check out more at the Union In Dialogue blog at the website for Union Theological Seminary. The history and legacy of Union Theological Seminary is to [...]
Including Ourselves: A Lesson from an Elevator-Ride
It’s not uncommon for kids to ask their parents about “that thing” on my head. In most instances, the parents look at me uncomfortably, embarrassed that I might be offended in some way. I’ll usually acknowledge their discomfort with an awkward smile before looking away and pretending not to notice as they try to discretely [...]
Religious Conversion: A form of violence.
To the Divine and Respected, Disclaimer: This article does not blame any religion. It simply brings up the issue of Religious conversion and encourages one to look into the issue. Also, when I say conversion I am talking about forced and involuntary conversion as well as proselytizing. A humble request: the point of this article [...]
Religious Wisdom the World Needs Now
This was my first visit to the Zen Center. One of the Buddhist priests had invited me to encourage his students to engage in interfaith environmental work. I was a little nervous, but something about this group—their open spirit, perhaps, and honest questions—quickly put me at ease and helped me speak from the heart. At some point, I found myself saying, “The Buddhist tradition has beautiful teachings about how all life is interconnected, and the world desperately needs this wisdom! Please share it.”
Interfaith Dialog: Respect is Key
This semester I had the honor and pleasure to work as the educational assistant for a course, “Religious Pluralism” at McCormick Theological Seminary under the leadership of Dr. Robert Cathey and Janaan Hashim, Esq. The core of this class exposed seminary students to five different faith traditions. Each week students read a chapter and supplemental materials [...]
Defining God: the World, the Knowledge, and the Light. Part I.
“Who am I? What is this body I am in? Where do my thoughts come from? What is the mind? Why do I feel something in my heart? What attracts me to things and creates emotions of like and dislike? What is the very essence of my existence?”
Svaha: On Giving Up My Father
I am not this, consumed by flame; I am not that, washed in water; I am not that which drew air, nor am I that which walked upon the earth. I am the earth, I am the air and I am the water. I am the fire. All that which is impermanent, I leave behind. [...]
The Embarrassment of Faith
My friend Jen is a rabbinical student. Her rabbinical school advises students not to shout their future vocation from the rooftops in delicate settings, such as airplanes, thanks to the unfortunate reality of human lameness. The rabbinical school would rather their students, if asked about their occupation, tell people they are in the education business. [...]
Defamation and Debate: The Conversation Within
The conversation within a faith is painful and challenging because it can feel like a battle for the identity of the faith itself, and by extension, our own identity. It’s easy to think that different views are a dilution or distortion of one’s own views. But not everyone who disagrees with us is stupid or malevolent.
Contributing Scholars
Allana TaylorAllana Taylor completed her Masters degree in Divinity at the University of Chicago in 2012 and is currently living in Norman, Oklahoma with her wonderful husband Kyle and their one-year old gift, Isaac. She served as the Communications intern for the Council for a Parliament of the World's religions in 2010-2011. In the fall of 2012 she was a participant in the Middle Prairie Institute for Religion and Public Life's, a non-partisan think tank, annual session. Though her academic interests focus on Islamic Law and the modern state, she has also done research on the intersection of law and culture and questions of institutional justice versus morality. She identifies as an atheist, but is committed to inter-religious engagement and dialogue and is determined to be part of that conversation.
Sarah BassinHaving been ordained as a rabbi from Hebrew Union College in 2011, Sarah Bassin now serves as the executive director of NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change based out of Los Angeles.
Tiffany BuchananTiffany is a Master of Divinity student at McCormick Theological Seminary. She has a Master of Arts degree in Sociology specializing in Organizations and Institutions and Social Psychology. She founded and is the Executive Director of a non-profit Education Outreach firm, Love Learning Empowerment. She is an aspiring author and poet. You can follow her @ twitter.com/Radiant_Blossom