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News

Faith forum fosters discussion

by JULIE AFONSO
The Daily Cougar

Muslim, Jewish and Christian representatives spoke Wednesday at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center to a group of more than 50 students about the importance of spirituality in a modern world, answering the question, "What good is religion?" 

"All people put their faith in something -- money, power or God," Guinn Blackwell-Eagleson of United Campus Ministry said.

According to Cheryl Pearson, who converted to Islam from Catholicism 12 years ago, Muslims are first called to worship, then to be productive members of society.

Rabbi Kenny Weiss said that in Judaism, religion is the same as observance, and it's about how a person lives in covenant with God. He said there is less emphasis on spirituality and more on practice.

"Jews express their relationship with God by observing the commandments," Weiss said. 

Representing the Christian view, Blackwell-Eagleson said that "money and worldly power can't really protect us," and that her faith helps her "find meaning and purpose in the face of mortality."

The Institute of Interfaith Dialogue was founded in 2000 in Texas and has since started programs at universities including Rice University, University of St. Thomas and UH. 

The University has been holding Interfaith luncheons for the past three years. Last semester, they held 10 Christian-Muslim dialogues, but this semester marks the first time the Jewish community has been involved. The discussion is now referred to as the Interfaith Trialogue.

Every week a speaker from each religion is given 10 minutes to represent their faith's point of view on a subject; discussion and debate follow. 

"It's extremely important to get to know your neighbors," Blackwell-Eagleson said.

Each week, the program begins at 12:30 p.m., but food is served at noon. The lunch is provided by individual volunteers, church and mosque groups. The meals accommodate vegetarians as well.

"We wanted to be sure that everybody could eat all the food and not be concerned about what was in it," Blackwell-Eagleson said.

All the speakers come from religious campus ministries, and rather than simply advocating tolerance, they speak about seeking peace.

"It's part of our sense of mission and call that we engage in peacemaking through dialogue," Blackwell-Eagleson said.

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