Religious Diversity, Tolerance, and Understanding
The Role of Islamic Culture Courses in Promoting Tolerance among Youth in the United Arab Emirates
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ghada Abaido
The three monotheistic religions--Judaism, Christianity and Islam--commonly assert that their beliefs are essential for salvation and happiness. Tolerance is one of their most significant and fascinating dimensions. Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse but only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe. Instilled through knowledge, openness, communication and freedom of thought, tolerance is also considered a moral value that should be within every individual. Some research has shown that young people are being subjected to a form of negative pedagogy or anti-pedagogy that shapes them to be religiously intolerant. However, in a world where societies are growing more and more diverse, tolerance is more likely to flourish when the human rights of all religious groups are respected. As part of the United Arab Emirates "Year of Tolerance" 2019, youth are key players in promoting and practicing tolerance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the impact of Islamic culture academic courses in promoting religious tolerance. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies are used to collect data from a sample of 400 students aged between 18-25. Results are discussed and insights into the UAE’s role in promoting mutual religious respect and interfaith dialogue are presented.
The Souls of the Trees Cried Out to Me: How Tu Bishevat Helps Christians Identify Theological Environmentalism Through Liturgy
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Domenik Ackermann
On the Jewish holiday Tu-Bishevat, those familiar with Jewish mystical movements tell the story of the 18th-century Hasidist, Nachman of Bratzlav, recounting a dream from one of his journeys: “All night I dreamed I was surrounded by the bodies of those who had been murdered....Now I know that it was the souls of the trees that cried out to me.” On Tu-Bishevat (often called “The New Year of the Tree” or “Arbor Day”), Hasidists and modern Reform Jews celebrate the new year for trees. Like other Jewish holidays, it has deep roots in the ancient Jewish Temple cult and agriculture. In recent years, churches, especially mainline traditions, have started to seek a renewed awareness concerning the environment, and humanity’s impact on the nature. With worship services and liturgies for “Earth Day,” they try to emphasize the relationship between humans and the environment, and the responsibilities of humanity that result. These liturgies, however, have had limited theological and practical impact. This paper emphasizes the deep ties between liturgy and nature, exemplified by Jewish calendrical rites with a focus on Tu-Bishevat. By exploring the sociological role of liturgy, the paper illustrates how human thought and habits are shaped by worship rites. Theologically, the comparison of the liturgical resources of Tu-Bishevat and Christian “Earth-Day” liturgies can give new insights into a Christian ecological theology enacted and encouraged through worship.
Historical Significance of Religious Tolerance and Harmony in South Asia: The Role of Sufism
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sultan Ahmed Ali
Religious tolerance implies the mutual abode of people of diverse religions while ensuring peaceful coexistence. Historically, people of South Asia have belonged to various diverse religious identities and cultures. Despite this fact, the region carries a rich history of interfaith harmony and social cohesion for centuries. The study of socio-political administration of this region reflects that the moral values and justice by and large sustained by rulers surely had a trickle-down effect on the subjects of their empire. However, it is also noted that Sufism in South Asia played an integral and dynamic role in promoting principles of peace, love and interfaith harmony. Sufi Shrines educated and transformed the lives of individuals through offering them places to stay and food irrespective of their faith. This study is based on the analysis of historical evidences through comparison of Muslim rule in the past and contemporary social and political developments. The paper also explores how prominent Sufis of the South Asia, such as, Khawaja Muʿīn al-Dīn Chishtī, Alī al-Hujwīrī Dātā Ganj Bakhsh, Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sultan Bahoo, etc. played a pivotal role in the reformation of their respective societies. Moreover, the research focuses upon the understanding of linkage between socio-economic justice and practical implications of Sufism. Using a qualitative analytical approach, it discusses how Sufi thought is applicable in contemporary case-studies where peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance is unseen.
Spirit as One, Not Two: Attuning to Unity
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Tulshi Sen, Indrani Margolin
In this paper, we highlight inter-religious harmony and education. We discuss root causes of separation between people, both in language and spirituality and religion, and draw from the biblical story of Babel in the Old Testament. We introduce how contemplation on unity or nonduality can bring individuals to a common ground of ecological spirituality, expressed in the Latin phrase, E Pluribus Unum--From Many to One. We offer the Ancient Vedic mantra, “Tat Tavm Asi,” (Samaveda, Chandogya Upanisad 6.8.7), which translates as That Thou Art, and means Everything is Consciousness or Everything is One, as a pathway to reach this understanding. This mantra carried the great philosopher and professor, Aldous Huxley into a state of euphoria, which he highlighted in the first chapter of his celebrated book, "Perennial Philosophy." It is the announcement of unity and interrelationships with the religions of the world. Tat Tavm Asi can be an antidote to anxiety, and gives birth to serenity in today’s turbulent ecosystems of impending harm in climate change, robotics, and artificial intelligence, transcending religious biases in a flight toward inter-religious and inter-species harmony. Our paper also attempts to foster awareness and insight into an experience of unity, with three simple words, Tat Tavm Asi, offered by ancient sages as a path to move from a paradigm of dualism to nonduality. Contemplation and complete absorption in this mantra enables the realization of the absolute intertwinement of spirituality and ecology.
