Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

By Fred Stella, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU-FM, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Grand Valley State UniversitySociety & CultureNewsReligion & SpiritualityNews CommentaryPhilosophyReligion
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Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue episodes

  • The Moral Guidance of Children: A Baha'i Perspective Parts I &2

    These episodes are a bit of a mystery in terms of chronology. I can't recall when these aired, but am pretty sure that would have happened between 2000-2005. I do remember that someone put me in touch with this very sweet man, Fridoon Rahimi. A dedicated Baha'i, he took on a personal mission of transmitting a sense of morality and character. Timely now as then.
    Enjoy.

    Theme music "Nigal."

    56 min
  • More About Religion & Historical Murder Mysteries Parts 1 & 2
    These shows are follow-ups to Episode #192 of this podcast series. Our guests for these weeks in 2000 were authors Sharan Newman & Caroline Roe. As with our guest previously, these women were here in Grand Rapids for the annual Historical Fiction Conference in Kalamazoo, which has been in existence for almost 50 years. Thanks to a dear friend (Jo Ellyn Clarey) who suggested these 2 very interesting people to join us.
    Theme music "Nigal."
    57 min
  • To Hell With Hell Parts 1 & 2
    While I do respect the power, history & impact of all religions. I have to admit that I have a very hard time with the concept of Hell as it is portrayed in Christian and Muslim theology. Others may have similar dark afterlife regions, but often there is the option of redemption in the future. Well, one of my favorite guests over the years, Brian McLaren, wrote a book that came out in 2005 called "The Last Word & the Word After That." He's certainly not the 1st Christian leader to question perdition, but the fact that he identifies as Evangelical Christian makes him rare. I loved these conversations. Theme music "Nigal."
    58 min
  • Living Islam Out Loud: Muslim Women Acting Outrageously Parts 1 &2
    The book this was based on was impressive. As I say in the intro, I had no idea it would be so....well, sassy. Selema Addul Gafoor collects essays from various American Muslim women that explores behavior that would result in severe physical punishment if discovered in some Islamist societies. There is a lot of stereotype-busting ammo here.
    These 2005 episodes were really enlightening. Enjoy. Theme music "Nigal."
    56 min
  • The Essence of Us parts 1 &2
    Over the years I've hosted my cousin Tom Stella several times. If you scroll down all the episodes here I think you'll find him 2 or 3 times. Well, as I continue to dig through all these old cassettes that I'm digitizing, lo & behold, I find the very 1st shows we recorded. At this time, in 2000, Tom had his 1st book in mind. The working title was The Essence of Us. When it finally hit print it became The God Instinct. Keep in mind that all contact information is probably not valid today.
    This was a lot of fun to do. I'm very pleased that these episodes were saved. Theme music "Nigal."
    1 hr
  • The Essence of Advaita Vedanta Parts 1 & 2

    These episodes aired circa 2002. Our guest for these was a man I truly admired & loved. Swami Yogeshananda was a dear soul who lived a simple life, and attempted to open up the lines of communication that would facilitate deep dialogue. He was greatly instrumental in the seminal days of Interfaith Dialogue Association, a few years before my time.
    As you'll hear, we kinda sorta stole the name of our show from him.

    Swami spent many years at a Hindu Ashram in Ganges, Michigan. Yes, Virginia. There is a town called Ganges in Michigan, and there is a Hindu ashram there (Vivekananda Monastery). Later on Swami moved to Atlanta. In the last few years we did lose touch. I just found that he passed away in 2019. He always was moving toward The Light.

    In these conversations we discuss the basics of Advaita Vedanta, the Hindu philosophy of Absolute Oneness. It's a hefty subject that Yogeshananda is able to explain better than most in terms most can understand.

    Do listen to this blessed soul.

    Theme music "Nigal."

    57 min
  • In Good Faith: Questioning Religion & Atheism Parts 1 & 2
    As I state in my introduction, this is a remarkable book in that while it does strongly argue from a theist's viewpoint, it gives the other side a great deal of respect. Author Scott Shay has no problem giving credit where it's due when secularists express concern about the behavior of those who claim to be monotheists.
    The book is written in a style that will appeal to hard core academics & theologians, as well as the less wonky. Scott comes from a Jewish perspective, but I'm sure Christians & Muslims will appreciate this as well. I will say that his superficial understanding of Dharmic faiths doesn't do them justice, but if he did the book might be twice the size.
    Really, give a listen to these episodes that aired in 2021. Theme music "Nigal."
    56 min
  • Roadside Religion Parts 1 & 2
    One of the great things about the USA is our tradition of the road trip. Not just because we can get from one place to another with relative ease, but as we zoom through many parts of rural America we are able to observe many expressions of our quirky side. Case in point: Route 66. I've loved my time on what is left of the Mother Road. And what makes this special are the oddities and brilliant examples of human ingenuity.
    In his book Roadside Religion, Tim Beal shares with us his journey across the country as he records his experiences with organic displays of religious piety. Most of the time I have no problem that this is pure radio with no video. Here, I do wish otherwise. 1st aired in 2005. Enjoy. Theme music "Nigal."
    58 min

About Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

From the publisher's feed

Rated as the #1 podcast on all matters interfaith by Feedspot (https://blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/), this is a weekly program that airs on Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. These 2 stations cover the entire western portion of the state. The show is hosted by Fred Stella, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, which operates out of Grand Valley State University, the license holder of both stations.