Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
Religion and faith are important for millions of people worldwide. While ancient traditions can provide valuable beliefs and values for life, it can be hard to apply them to our lives today. And yet, weaving them into our days can bring benefits––greater meaning in life, more alignment between our beliefs and our actions, and deeper personal connection to our faiths and each other.
In Living Our Beliefs, we delve into where and how practicing Jews, Christians, and Muslims express their faith each day––at work, at home, and out in public––so that together we can see the familiar and unfamiliar in new ways. Learning from other religions and denominations invites us to notice similarities and differences––how much we have in common and how enriching the differences can be. Comparing beliefs and practices can prompt us to be more curious and open to other people, reducing the natural challenge of encountering the Other. Every person’s life and religious practice is unique. Join us on this journey of discovery and reflection.
Starter episodes with Jews:
Mikveh: Reclaiming an Ancient Jewish Ritual – Haviva Ner-David
Honoring and Challenging Jewish Orthodoxy – Dr. Lindsay Simmonds
The Interfaith Green Sabbath Project – Jonathan Schorsch
A Lonely Time to be a Jew – Rabbi Tara Feldman
Reinterpreting Jewish Liturgy – Daniel Stein Kokin
Starter episodes with Christians:
Is a Loving God in the Brokenness and Darkness? – Will Berry
Queering Contemplation and Finding a Home in Christianity – Cassidy Hall
Auschwitz, Berlin, and Catholicism – Luis Ferreiro
Embodying the Christian Faith: Tattoos and Pilgrimage – Mookie Manalili
Praising the Lord in Song – Julie Kinscheck
Starter episodes with Muslims:
Religious Pluralism v. White Supremacy in America Today – Wajahat Ali
How to be Visibly Muslim in the US Government – Fatima Pashaei
A Muslim Woman in Corporate America – Prianka Alam
Bonus. Understanding the American Muslim Experience (Dr. Amir Hussain)
Islamic Prophetic Persuasion – Abdur-Rahman Syed
Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
Religious Pluralism v. White Supremacy in America Today – Wajahat Ali
Episode 85.
As the new secular year begins, along with the incoming presidential administration, it’s a good time to hear a shortened version of my conversation with the esteemed journalist and speaker Wajahat Ali. Given the dominance of White Christian Nationalism and the debate about immigration, Wajahat’s Sunni Muslim American identity and his family’s Pakistani immigrant history, make him an ideal partner to talk about religious pluralism in America today. In this conversation we explore the challenges minorities face as well as the fears, hate and discomfort that drive the antagonism and protectionism of White Supremacy. But our conversation is not completely dark. Wajahat raises reasons for hope and steps we can each take towards a brighter future of dignity and freedom.
Highlights:
· White Christian Nationalism.
· Balancing group identity and assimilation; history and modernity; religion and secularism.
· Suburban communities' fear despite material abundance.
· Progressives ceded spirituality to the right.
· Stand for dignity, freedom; reject hate-driven leadership.
· Steps of awareness, intention, and action for individual contributions.
Bio:
Wajahat is a New York Times contributing op-ed writer and Daily Beast columnist, public speaker, and recovering attorney. He also regularly appears on cable news and radio to discuss politics, religion, foreign policy and culture. Wajahat often speaks on the multifaceted American experience, covering our growing need for cultural unity, racial diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, he has published his first book Go Back To Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American.
Wajahat grew up in the Bay Area, California to Pakistani immigrant parents. He graduated from UC Berkeley with an English major and became a licensed attorney. He knows what it feels like to be the token minority in the classroom and the darkest person in a boardroom. He is married and the father of three kids.
Reference:
Mallory McMorrow, Democratic State Senator (Michigan) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLWo8B1R0MY
Social Media links for Wajahat:
Website – https://www.wajali.com
NY Times opinion piece, 23 June 2023
NY Times opinion piece, 16 Aug. 2023
Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript on Buzzsprout
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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/