Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

I am so pleased to have found yet another cassette tape in my basement from way back when that I'm thrilled to share. All signs point to these episodes being recorded in 2002.

Fr.Richard Neuhaus, who died in 2009, was a force to be reckoned with in the conservative Catholic movement. He was the editor of 1st Things Magazine, a journal of social and religious right-of-center commentary. But we really didn't get into that sort of conversation. The focus here was on his book "As I Lay Dying."

In recent times there have been more than a few books from Christians about personal experiences with their own death and some sort of afterlife journey. We've even talked about one such story that was embarrassingly debunked by the author years later (Episodes 12 & 13: I Did Not Die & Go to Heaven). But Fr. Neuhaus speaks with a sense of gravitas that compels you to listen, even though belief is another matter. I encourage you to give this a try. Theme music "Nigal."

There are many people of faith who, upon maturing in their spiritual growth, become willing to view the stories that surround the origins of their religions as more allegorical than historical. Admittedly, it's perhaps more challenging to find Muslims who are open to this understanding about their tradition than Jews or Christians. My understanding is that those Muslims who do question the historicity of the their scriptures tend to become ex-Muslims.

In these episodes we explore how the Qur'an was created. As with all ancient religions, there is always a bit of a chasm between what academia discovers through the historical process and what the faithful are taught to believe.

Sometimes it gets tense. Theme music "Nigal."

Every once in a while there will be episodes about projects that I've been personally involved in. This is that. These 2023 conversations are with Dr. Frank Tedesco of True Dharma International. He produced and directed a documentary that is intended to advise caregivers and medical personnel on providing comfort to those adherents in the Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism) who are nearing the end of life. It is a very powerful and significant work. I am honored to have narrated this film.

If the discussions here interest you enough, please go to https://youtu.be/7PCUviLdyw0 to watch the film in its entirety. Theme music "Nigal."

In the Hindu tradition there is the stage of life called Vanaprastha. It is when one retires from many family and professional responsibilities to dedicate more time to spiritual advancement. Our guest on these 2023 episodes is not Hindu, but Unitarian Universalist. Rev. W. Fred Wooden, and he is expressing this epoch in his life by pilgrimage. He has traversed the globe, honoring multiple religious traditions as he walks the well trodden paths of our ancestors.

Fred is a longtime friend of mine. At one point in his ministry he had a radio show of his own: Faith & Reason. I was a frequent guest. When I was we called the episode "Common Freds."

Much of our conversation here revolves around a recent pilgrimage he took in Japan. His reminiscences of that experience is recorded in the book "Basho and I Take a Long Walk." Theme music "Nigal."

I suspect that no one who listens to Common Threads would support the oppressing of someone due to their social status or caste. So when we hear of colleges, towns, states, etc., passing legislation or resolutions that claim to protect those born in "low caste" families our initial response might be a positive one. But as our guests on these 2023 episodes indicate, this kind of thinking may have serious negative consequences for Americans of South Asian descent for years to come. Theme music "Nigal."

We hear and read about how this country is so deeply polarized. The problem is that there is clearly one side that has made a cottage industry out of demonizing the "other side." While there are crazy makers on the left side of the spectrum, it is clearly those who subscribe to a Trumpian philosophy that are doing the most damage.

In these episodes we speak with Fr. Aaron Wessman, the author of "The Church's Mission in a Polarized World." While the focus of the book is directed toward Christians, people of any faith can profit by the strategies laid out in this work. Theme music "Nigal."

Years ago the US Government was anxious to resettle Iraqi citizens temporarily in the USA whom they thought had significant leadership qualities. Their purpose was to begin their nation building in a post-Saddam society with returning these men and women in time for a turn toward an American friendly democratic republic.

Josh Sobey's family, who are all members of the LDS, agreed to house Ali, a high school student from Iraq. This book is an excellent account of that episode in the lives of Josh and Ali. They collaborated on an effort that is part fiction, part true. For the most part, it's up to us to parse the real from the not-so-real. We do get a few clues here in these conversations. Regardless, it's a great read. Theme music "Nigal."

In the late 1800s, a group of German-speaking Mennonites left southern Russia and journeyed into Central Asia following the end-time prophecies of a charismatic preacher. But while the story of these Mennonites’ perilous journey into Uzbekistan is riveting, for Sofia Samatar, the real story begins after the end of the world failed to arrive. In these 2023 episodes we discuss this fascinating personal journey with Sofia. Theme music "Nigal."

On an evening not too long ago, Bay Area high school student Ritu Balani hosted an event that allowed fellow students and community members to share with an audience their most intimate spiritual and religious stories. These 2023 episodes contain a conversation with Ritu, as well as excerpts from the night itself. Theme music "Nigal."