Series to explore tough questions
Representatives from several different faiths will come together to discuss pressing issues in a series of forums over the next month.
Several diverse faiths will come together over the next month to debate where religion fits into some of the most contentious issues in our society.
The Interfaith office is holding a series of public discussions with representatives from the Christian, Jewish, Baha’I, Wiccan, Muslim, Hindu and Buddist faiths, as well as different First Nations faiths. The representatives will debate the religious issues implicated within freedom of speech, environmental policy and people’s sex lives.
Reverend Lucy Reid, UVic’s Anglican Chaplain and priest at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Saanich, says that one of the aims of the series will be to dispel stereotypes about theological debate.
“Whenever we have these seminars there are … people who are surprised that all priests aren’t all conservative, and that a number of them express progressive views on faith – that we are not at all dogmatic and moralizing,” she said.
The talks began on Jan. 19, with Steve ‘Velcrow’ Ripper, an acclaimed filmmaker and spiritual activist, speaking about his new documentary Fierce Light. Ripper says the film looks at “humanity’s immune response to a planet in crisis” to describe people’s global compassion when governments fail. The talk was followed by a screening of Firece Light at Cinecenta.
The next three forums — “Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?,” “Is My Religion Harming Mother Earth?” and “Is My Religion Cramping Your Sex Life?” — will each be preceded by a lecture on civil discussion before the audience starts asking questions.
According to Reid, “Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?” will examine the boundaries between freedom of speech and religion, referencing two articles the Martlet ran in the last two years, “Violence at the root of Qur’an” from 2008 and “Pope Benedict XVI is a Jackass” from 2009.
“How can we make this a country that we can express ourselves without defaming whole religious groups?” asked Reid.
“Is My Religion Harming Mother Earth?” will examine some faiths’ environmental track record and what they believe regarding the future of the earth.
The role of faiths and their stances on other people’s sexuality, such as homosexuality, bisexuality and sodomy, will be discussed in “Is My Religion Cramping Your Sex Life?”
For more information on the series, contact the UVic Interfaith office by emailing chaplain@uvic.ca.
8 Comments
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Bahram Farzady Jan. 21, 2010, 11:14 p.m.
Or you can get the short version right now:
“Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?”
Yes, but my free speech is more important than your religion.
“Is My Religion Harming Mother Earth?”
The institution of the catholic church certainly has and does.
“Is My Religion Cramping Your Sex Life?”
Not really because no one listens to what religious people have to say about sex.
Bahram Farzady Jan. 21, 2010, 11:14 p.m.
Or you can get the short version right now:
“Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?”
Yes, but my free speech is more important than your religion.
“Is My Religion Harming Mother Earth?”
The institution of the catholic church certainly has and does.
“Is My Religion Cramping Your Sex Life?”
Not really because no one listens to what religious people have to say about sex.
nasionnaich Jan. 22, 2010, 1:44 a.m.
Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?If it is, your religion isn't a very good one to start with.Is My Religion Harming Mother Earth?If it is, yet you or your religion claim to love Mother Earth, then you need a new religion.Is my Religion Cramping Your Sex Life?Now why is my sex life any business of yours or your religion's -- and why do you care so much about what goes on between two (or more) consenting adults? Perhaps y'all are just jealous that I have a sex life.......nasionnaich Jan. 22, 2010, 1:44 a.m.
Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?If it is, your religion isn't a very good one to start with.Is My Religion Harming Mother Earth?If it is, yet you or your religion claim to love Mother Earth, then you need a new religion.Is my Religion Cramping Your Sex Life?Now why is my sex life any business of yours or your religion's -- and why do you care so much about what goes on between two (or more) consenting adults? Perhaps y'all are just jealous that I have a sex life.......Nick Jan. 23, 2010, 9:48 p.m.
These discussions deserve to be attacked full on. First, the place of religious practice is decidedly lower than free speech, especially the freedom to criticize the racism, sexism and homophobia inherent in those religions. Second, although I cannot speak to environmentalism, as a queer coming from the United States, I can say that religion props up--and is largely the cause of--homophobia and heterosexist bias. For some queers to read their Bible, Torah or Qur'an in such a way as to whitewash homophobic theology will not avail. Religious books are the perfect, inerrant word of God; they aren't a buffet from which you can select a little tolerance and a little love thy neighbor as thyself. Until we start taking religious books as seriously as Osama bin Laden or Fred Phelps do, we will be unable to eradicate homophobia or sexism for that matter.
Nick Jan. 23, 2010, 9:48 p.m.
These discussions deserve to be attacked full on. First, the place of religious practice is decidedly lower than free speech, especially the freedom to criticize the racism, sexism and homophobia inherent in those religions. Second, although I cannot speak to environmentalism, as a queer coming from the United States, I can say that religion props up--and is largely the cause of--homophobia and heterosexist bias. For some queers to read their Bible, Torah or Qur'an in such a way as to whitewash homophobic theology will not avail. Religious books are the perfect, inerrant word of God; they aren't a buffet from which you can select a little tolerance and a little love thy neighbor as thyself. Until we start taking religious books as seriously as Osama bin Laden or Fred Phelps do, we will be unable to eradicate homophobia or sexism for that matter.
MS Jan. 29, 2010, 2:53 a.m.
Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?This question definitely puts things in the wrong order for consideration.I spoke with God the other day; he did mention that his greatest regret was that somewhere in the editorial shuffle, the,
just kidding,that was meant to come after Leviticus 20:13 was misplaced.Leviticus 20:13: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Reference: http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/lev/20.html
MS Jan. 29, 2010, 2:53 a.m.
Is Your Free Speech Hurting My Religion?This question definitely puts things in the wrong order for consideration.I spoke with God the other day; he did mention that his greatest regret was that somewhere in the editorial shuffle, the,
just kidding,that was meant to come after Leviticus 20:13 was misplaced.Leviticus 20:13: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Reference: http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/lev/20.html