Arthur Holder is a member of the GTU's core doctoral faculty and professor of Christian Spirituality. He was Professor and Academic Dean at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific before serving...
Religious Pluralism at the GTU
How can we more fully embody the deep religious pluralism that is at the heart of the GTU’s vision, not only for this institution but for the wider world in which we live? That will be the topic of discussion at a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, November 12th. Let your voice be heard and be prepared to listen to other voices as together we seek the path to a deeper religious pluralism at the GTU.
The GTU community includes people from many different religious traditions. Some of us are studying our own religion while others are studying someone else’s. And some of us study several traditions in a comparative mode, or particular issues or topics that can be approached from any number of religious perspectives.
It is clear, then, that the GTU community is religiously diverse both in its demographics and in the subject matter of its curriculum. But the mere presence of different traditions is not sufficient to constitute a vibrant interreligious community. Geographical proximity does not necessarily lead to real interaction. Awareness of other traditions or groups may not bring greater understanding. Even tolerance of our differences is not the same thing as genuine respect for one another. Everyday realities can fall short of institutional aspirations.
How can we more fully embody the deep religious pluralism that is at the heart of the GTU’s vision, not only for this institution but for the wider world in which we live? That will be the topic of discussion at a Town Hall Meeting over pizza and drinks in the Dinner Boardroom on Tuesday, November 12, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Everyone in the GTU community is welcome, including students, faculty, and staff from member schools, centers, and affiliates.
As moderator for this conversation, I will invite those gathered to reflect together on three questions: What do we mean by “religious pluralism”? What has been your experience of religious pluralism at the GTU? What are your hopes and dreams for an expanded and deepened community of religious pluralism at the GTU?
An hourlong discussion isn’t going to solve all our problems or make all our dreams come true. But sharing our experiences and our hopes for the future is a good place to start. Please come to the Town Hall Meeting on November 12. Let your voice be heard and be prepared to listen to other voices as together we seek the path to a deeper religious pluralism at the GTU.