Category: Interfaith
On Catholicism: Why I am committed to building inter-religious relationships by Emmet Jones
God is One: When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus seems to have replied with the Jewish prayer “Sh’ma Yis’ra’eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.” Jesus replied, “The f... Read More
On the Religious Other: Why I am committed to building inter-religious relationships
The Jewish Theologian Martin Buber observed that people are defined by their relationships with others. While they may disagree on God, believers and non-believers would agree that our relationships w... Read More
Public Piety, Authentic Courage and Christian Witness
You may have heard about the young man, a valedictorian in Liberty, SC. I’ve been following the story somewhat closely, because it’s close to home in more than one way. More abstractly, is... Read More
Hate in Manchester, TN — Where Do We Go From Here?
Islamophobia in middle Tennessee is becoming a real problem. In the past several years, two mosques have been firebombed: one had swastikas drawn on its walls, with “White Power” written on the si... Read More
“Recognizing a Saint: The Politics of Identity within the Canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha,” by Erin Routon
In 2006, a young boy in Washington State named Jake Finkbonner was playing basketball when he hit his face on the rim. As a result of that injury, Jake caught a flesh-eating bacteria that nearly too... Read More
Buddha Jayanti at Buddhist Vesak: Time of Spiritual Recollection, Celebration, Penance, and Renewal
Introduction Every year in the late spring, Buddhists all over the world celebrate Vesak, i.e., the birth, death, and enlightenment of Siddhārtha Gautama, who came to be known as Śākyamuni Buddha, ... Read More
On the Park 51 Community Center: Why I am committed to building inter-religious relationships
Park 51 Community Center, AKA the “Ground Zero Mosque”, has, today, a single employee: a young woman named Hanadi. During a recent visit, I had the opportunity to hear Hanadi’s story firsthand &... Read More
Remembering the Massacre of Sikhs in June of 1984
Co-Written with Gunisha Kaur During the first week of June, Sikhs around the world commemorate a recent historical event: Operation Bluestar of 1984, a government-sanctioned military operation that re... Read More