New, Intriguing Topics on Interfaith Voices

For those interested in interfaith issues and aren't aware of the Interfaith Voices radio program, there are some intriguing and stimulating topics recently covered on the show.

1) Last week, host Maureen Fiedler interviewed Stephen Prothero, professor of religion at Boston University, who has just come out with a book called God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World - and Why Their Differences Matter.

This is a very important book and interview. For one, Prothero is a wonderfully clear and interesting speaker and writer. But also, his points are extremely crucial for students, practitioners and leaders of religions and interfaith groups. He argues that there are very significant, very real differences among the world's religions and that we need to start recognizing this.

Indeed, he's right - many of us, especially in the liberal-progressive wings of religions and those involved in interfaith efforts have often been overly focused on the similarities or convergences between faiths. But, we can't ever ignore the beliefs, practices, rituals, myths, and textual traditions that set our religions apart in divergence. Acknowledging and lifting up the similarities is quite necessary for building trust and rapport between religious peoples, but solely focusing on these without recourse to the real distinctions actually does a disservice to the uniqueness and special quality of each religion. This is not to mention the notion that it's the differences that makes each religion so interesting to study, for me. If Confucius was the same as Jesus, if Buddhism was no different than Judaism, if the beliefs of Advaita Vedanta were identical to that of Islam, then studying and engaging the world's religions would be quite boring!

What we need is a good dose of an analogical imagination (to use a term coined by Fr. Dr. David Tracy of University of Chicago Divinity School). That is, rather than the relation between religious perspectives being seen as either totally the same or completely disparate, he suggest the category similarity-in-difference, which is essentially the mode of analogy. Neither a watered-down, lowest-common-denominator kind of sameness, nor an irreconcilable, unrelated disparity, what is needed is a creative, imaginative ability to perceive and understand both simultaneously -- similarity-in-difference.

2) Also, the latest episode is a very controversial topic - don't ask, don't tell and gays in the military. Very provocative stuff. Maureen mediates two opposite positions on the repeal bill in the House currently -- Daniel Blomberg of the Litigation Council of the Alliance Defense Fund (anti-repeal) and Rev. Dr. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance (pro-repeal). Listen to this show for an excellent crash-course on the topic and to experience religious perspectives on both sides of the issue.

3) And lastly, later in the latest episode there is a brief segment concerned with the 2010 World Religions Summit in Canada, an effort to push the UN to follow through on its commitment to fight poverty, AIDS, and other global difficulties. Maureen interviews Karen Hamilton of the Canadian Council of Churches. She answers tough questions on how to move beyond religious finger-wagging and inspire the UN to get the ball rolling.

All these shows can be streamed and listened to at Interfaith Voices. Check them out!

Harvard's "Humanist" Chaplain on State of Belief

As a follow-up to my last post concerning Greg Epstein, Harvard University chaplain, and the notion of "humanistic" or "atheistic" chaplaincy as a viable mode of spiritual service, I'd like to bring to attention Epstein's presence as guest on this past weekend's program of State of Belief.

State of Belief is a radio program hosted by Rev. Welton Gaddy and sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance, an NGO dedicated to the upholding and maintaining of 1st Amendment religious rights and concerns.

Check out last week's program with Greg Epstein as guest here.

Unity.FM (8.10-14.09)

See this week's programming on Unity.FM.

Visit Unity.FM to listen to spiritually uplifting and open-minded talk radio.

Bishop John Shelby Spong on Interfaith Voices

This week the outspoken, intriguing, and often controversial Episcopalian Bishop (retired) John Shelby Spong will be the main guest on the Interfaith Voices online radio program.

Bishop Spong is a prolific writer, publishing books and giving talks on important topics sensitive to an audience interested in reinterpreting and revisioning traditional Christian doctrines and practices. The titles of some of his past books speak to his forward-thinking concerns: Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism, Living in Sin?: A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality, A New Christianity for a New World, and Why Christianity Must Change or Die. His relentless progressive perspective has given support and a significant voice to openminded and inclusive Christian communities throughout the world.

His most recent book is called Eternal Life: A New Vision, which is on rethinking images and notions of heaven, hell, and the afterlife from a Christian context and understanding.

Listen to Bishop Spong on Interfaith Voices.

(Image from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill website.)

Unity.FM (8.3 - 7.09)

Check out great progressive and practical spiritual programming this week on Unity.FM.

See the schedule of programs this week.

This Week on Unity.FM

This Week on Unity.FM:

On A WORLD THAT WORKS with Revs. Olive and Isola the guest will be Rev. Temple Hayes who is the chair of Life Rights, a Peace Through People Initiative that combines human, civil, and religious rights.

On UNITY CLASSIC RADIO, Charles Fillmore's talk "True Repentance and Forgiveness" (June 20, 1926) will be played.

Also, Tues. at 11am PST/2pm EST on WORLD SPIRITUALITY with Rev. Paul John Roach, I'm the guest in the second of a two-part interview. We'll be talking about interreligious dialogue, East-West interaction, and the importance of peace as necessity for human sustainability.

Listen to WORLD SPIRITUALITY on Unity.FM.

Check out the program listing for this week.

Scientology on Interfaith Voices

This week on the Interfaith Voices radio program the subject is greatly centered on the Church of Scientology, the American-born new religion based on the writings and teachings of science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

I've always been a bit skeptical of any organization that is so very secretive about their soteriology and, even more importantly, requires a rather substantial fee (not a voluntary donation) for furtherance on its path. I have nothing against Scientologists as individuals, only the seemingly avaricious and esoteric tenor with which many Scientology institutions apparently operate. I'm interested in learning more about this religion and the good it may be doing, but perhaps Scientology as a whole could be more forthright about their history, beliefs, and practices and less profiteering in their effort to help others live better lives.

As a progressive Christian in the Unity tradition I believe that all religious traditions and spiritualities have good within them and contain value for some people (though not all). All religious perspectives are, to use the famous metaphor, pathways winding in unique ways up the same mountain of Life and Reality, working their way toward the summit. Each path has its own environment with its own twists and turns, and each of these pathways will term the summit differently, though its nonetheless the same summit. Thus, as all is interconnected and valued in Oneness I cannot say that the tenets of Scientology are inherently dubious or false -- it contains good and truth. But, if Scientology adherents engage in practices that hinder people's spiritual growth through greed, inequality, exploitation, etc. (as with any other religion) I must denounce those practices, not necessarily Scientology itself.

Anyway, since Scientology is certainly surrounded by controversy and heated debate, this week's Interfaith Voices program should give us some more perspective (from both Scientology and non-Scientology angles) on this rather new and intriguing religion.

Listen at Interfaith Voices.

Me on Unity.FM this Week

For those interested, I'll be making an appearance as guest on the Unity.FM radio program "World Spirituality" this and next Tuesday (7.21 and 7.28) at 11 am PST/2 pm EST for a two-part discussion about my transition from a Christian seminary to Buddhist university and the importance and practice of interreligious dialogue.

Listen to this interview at Unity.FM.

Check out this week's Unity.FM programming.

Unity.FM (July 13-17, 2009)

This week on Unity.FM:

Join Mindy Audlin on The Leading Edge program as she talks with Howard Martin, the executive vice president of HeartMath, in the first of a 12-part series, "Voices of Peace." Martin will discuss a systematic approach to maintain coherence and emotional balance and develop the heart's intelligence. Learn how and why coherence is at the core of all peace-building activities.

On World Spirituality Paul John Roach promotes the theme "The Spirituality of Humor." Guest Peter Bolland and Paul will take a journey through the spiritual landscape of laughter, humor, and joy that exists in all world religions.

On New World Radio the subject will be "The Spirituality of the Obama Presidency." On election night 2008, after Obama's victory, Oprah Winfrey told CNN "it feels like a shift in consciousness." That's not the sentiment in some religious circles that see a spiritual foreboding in Obama's presidency. Does Obama's election to presiden demonstrate an shift in awareness? Tune in to hear this discussion.

Listen to Unity.FM.

See the scheduled programming.

Unity.FM (July 6-10, 2009)

Of particular interest on Unity.FM this week is Matthew Fox will be the special guest on World Spirituality with John Paul Roach. Matthew Fox is one of America's leading spiritual thinkers, especially in what he terms "Creation Spirituality." This week the focus will be on his new book The Hidden Spirituality of Men and its relevance for us all.

Check out the programming for Unity.FM this week.

Listen to the programs on Unity.FM.

Unity.FM (6.29-7.3.09)

This week on Unity.FM radio:

The Leading Edge program with Mindy Audlin will have guest Thomas Barnett, a strategic planner who has worked in national security affairs, talking about global relationships, the pursuit of peace, and the role of religion in world affairs; Unity Classic Radio will air C. Fillmore's "The Stewardship of Life" talk (Nov. 27, 1932) with guest, Mona Crane, a friend, colleague, and fellow ministerial student of mine; and on World Spirituality Paul John Roach will have on special guest Wendy Greene, the current managing director of Peace Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting the establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace (one of the causes to which I'm committed).

Check out the programming list here.

And listen on Unity.FM.

Unity.FM (6.22-26.09)

Check out Unity.FM programming for this week and listen at Unity.FM.

PBS Puts Limits on Religious Programming

"WASHINGTON -- PBS officials voted Tuesday to no longer allow new religious programming, but select member stations can continue their current faith-based line-up. The PBS Board of Directors took the vote out of concern that religious programming might violate the nonsectarian status of member stations." (RNS) Tiffany Stanley has the story at the RNS.

Interfaith Voices Highlights This Week

The latest program on the Interfaith Voices radio show features two pieces of interest.

Firstly, Interfaith Voices' own Maureen Fiedler comments on president Obama's interfaith fluency. Lately, Obama has addressed Jewish and Muslim audiences in different parts of the world and has done so with a level of knowledge and sensitivity previously uncharacteristic of the U.S. presidency. This piece discusses the importance and subtle message behind this religious fluency.

Secondly, the Hasidic Jewish hip hop artist Matisyahu is featured in a segment interviewing him about his musical art, religious faith, and the interplay of these two facets of his life.

Listen to the most recent Interfaith Voices radio program here.

(Photos from Interfaith Voices website.)

This Weekend on State of Belief

This weekend's State of Belief program features Muslim feminist Asra Nomani's conversation with Rev. Gaddy about working towards greater gender equality at her hometown Mosque. They are joined by filmmaker Brittany Huckabee, who chronicled Asra's efforts for the documentary The Mosque in Morgantown, premiering on PBS nationwide this Monday at 10:00 pm ET.

Check it out at State of Belief's website.

Unity.FM 6.8-12.09

Check out what is happening this week on Unity.FM.

Some highlights are: World Spirituality with Rev. John Paul Roach will have guest and author Russill Paul about his latest book Jesus in the Lotus, which explores the mystical connection between Christianity and yogic spirituality; Biblical Power for Your Life with Revs. Karen Tudor and Jim Gaither will have a discussion of the historical-cultural and metaphysical dimensions of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians; and The Art of Being program will be concerned with "waiting in chaos for revelation."

Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh on Speaking of Faith

The Vietnamese Buddhist Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh is featured in the most recent installment of the Speaking of Faith radio program from American Public Media.

Host Krista Tippet re-broadcasts her interviews of Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh in 2003 during a mindfulness retreat in Wisconsin. Thay (as students and followers address him) is a relevant and prophetic voice speaking of the real possibility of living an evenminded and contented life amidst the plurality of greed, hatred, and violence extant in the world. In this program, he speaks of his life as a monk during the war in Vietnam and the different practices he engaged in and programs he founded to help alleviate the suffering caused on every side of that conflict. He speaks of "being peace," "engaged Buddhism," and "mindfulness" and their relevancy for life in today's world.

Also interviewed are Cheri Maples and Larry Ward, both participants in the retreat. They speak of how Thay and his teachings and practices have changed their lives for the better. Cheri is a licensed attorney and consultant on justice and community corrections. She was ordained as a dharma teacher by Thich Nhat Hanh in 2008. And Larry Ward, who happens to be a fellow student in the religious studies program at University of the West, is co-director of the Lotus Institute in Encinitas, California and an ordained Baptist minister. Both of these interviews are personal, insightful, and helpful in shedding light from a different angle on Thay's Buddhist teachings and practices.

As a Unity student and Christian, I've found Thay's approach to Buddhism very approachable, for it speaks more clearly and directly to me as an American Christian interested in mindfulness practices. Even though we have analogous practices in the Christian contemplative tradition (meditatio -- centering prayer, contemplative prayer; and affirmative prayer), opening myself up to the Buddhist version of these practices has been instructive for two fundamental reasons: 1) as a result I've been able to better humanize and understand Buddhists and Buddhist teaching and 2) it has reintroduced me to the vast and deep contemplative tradition at the heart of Christian spirituality. Thay has a way of communicating the Buddhist mindfulness and socially engaged principles so simply and clearly (so that everyday Westerners can relate to them) that, even though I've been aware of many Buddhist texts and doctrine for years, these teachings took on fresh meaning and import.

Listen to the Speaking of Faith show with Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh.

(Above photo from Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village website.)

This Week on World Spirituality UnityFM

This week's World Spirituality radio program hosted by Rev. Paul John Roach on Unity.fm is on the subject "The Phenomenon of Rastafarianism." The guest will be Dr. Darren Middleton who is an acknowledged expert in the Rastafarian tradition. Join us in this two-part series where the origins, traditions, music and spirituality of this highly influential group will be explored.

Listen on Unity.fm on Tuesday at 11 am PST/2 pm EST.

Mahatma Gandhi -- World Spirituality on Unity.fm

Listen to WORLD SPIRITUALITY on Unity.fm this week when host Rev. Paul John Roach discusses Mahatma Gandhi with guests Andy Fort and Mark Dennis. In this program, they will look at some of the myths surrounding Mahatma Gandhi, his message and power, and his meaning for us today.

Listen to World Spirituality on Tuesday at 11am PST/2pm EST on Unity.fm.

UnityFM Show About Spiritual Social Engagement

I want to call attention to a radio podcast on UnityFM, called "A World that Works," that explicitly deals with social engagement as part and parcel of the spiritual life from a Unity perspective. The hosts, Deborah Olive and Kelly Isola, have talented and informative guests on the show who often have been deeply and actively involved in causes for social change.

As an addendum to a previous post a few days ago on Unity and social action, this kind of public service informing and inspiring people toward practical social engagement is evidence that Unity is catching on and moving in this direction as a real part of the process of spiritual transformation.

So I encourage anyone who is interested in the connection between spirituality and social action to check out "A World that Works" on Mondays at 10am, Wednesdays at 8am, and Thursdays at 10am and 1pm (Central).

Listen to the show with most recent guest, Barbara Fields, Co-founder and Project Director – The Gandhi-King-Chavez Season for Nonviolence.