Dinner and Drive Time Tips for September 22:
Before: Remind your youth about finding water to bring in for the water communion ritual this week. In our session this week, we will ask the youth to think about how the water represents something from their summer or from life in general that “restores and replenishes” them. We will connect this to our “third UU lifeline” – the connection to life’s gifts and joy. Consider having a conversation with them about what replenishes you and keeps you connected to life’s gifts and joy.
After: Ask your youth about religious pluralism and the Crossing Paths approach of “many mountains; many paths.” To talk about the uniqueness of each religion, we will explore the story of The Blind Men and the Elephant (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn9BUfUCL4I) and watch the scholar, Stephen Prothero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKji2aLauxQ). Check out both links and then ask your youth what they think about the balance between religions’ differences and similarities.
For You: Spend some time thinking about your own understanding of religious diversity. What do you think of Stephen Prothero’s and Crossing Paths’ emphasis on religious distinctiveness? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKji2aLauxQ)
Even though Crossing Paths honors the distinctiveness of each religion, it is also true that religions share important values. There is both uniqueness and similarity. To reflect on some of these shared values, watch the video of The Interfaith Amigos TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPnZArtsG_c
What struck you as you watched? When have you experienced people from different religions expressing and acting on common values? How is it helpful (and respectful) to honor each religion as addressing a different or unique “problem of the world”? In your experience, have you perceived religious values uniting or dividing people?
0 Comments