With Squinting Eyes

~ by Samir Selmanovic

We live in the most religiously diverse country in history. We are part of the most inter-connected world population in history. We are part of the great struggle for interdependence.

Last week I attended a conference auspiciously entitled “Educating Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Leaders for Service in a Multi-Religious World: The American Seminary Context” in Boston, hosted by Andover Newton Theological School, Boston Theological Institute, and Hebrew College. To read a short informative overview of the conference written by Joshua Stanton, click HERE.

The conference brought together an extraordinary array of academics and activists. Instead of featuring great speakers, every topic was presented through a conversation among four selected experts. I was invited to be a part of the roundtable discussion about the publications related to inter-religious work (talking about our work at Faith House Manhattan and about my book “It’s Really All About God”).

The pace of the roundtables was grueling, punctuated only by delicious kosher/halal meals prepared by the good folks at Hebrew College and, best of all, growing and energizing conversations among friends and colleagues across our religious boundaries. The event was mainly funded by the discerning and visionary Luce Foundation. Themes included: a national overview of the issues, constructing our religious identities, theologies of multi-faith engagement, inclusive leadership, youth and young adults, leadership in a broken world, pastoral care, publications, funding, needs for more skilled Muslim community leaders in US, plus reflections and awards (so deservedly awarded were Irving Greenberg, Diana Eck, and Paul Knitter). So much humor, so much dreaming, so much insight, so much hope!

One of my highlights was getting to know Leonard Swidler from Temple University in Philadelphia. I met him in the first hour upon arrival to Boston, in a shuttle ride from our hotel to the conference. As we waited for the shuttle, Prof. Paul Knitter (one of Faith House Manhattan advisors and presenters) arrived cheerfully jumping out of his car saying, “Oh, the patriarch is here too!” Prof. Swidler is the editor and founder of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies and one of the grandparents of the modern movement towards global dialogue. He has written over 70 books and 200 articles. As we drove, he spoke with the passion and depth of someone who has spent half a century teaching, writing and consulting everyone from other professors to politicians to peacemakers to governments. “I have a mantra,” he said, “Nobody. Knows everything. About anything.” Which began a two day discussion between us during the breaks. To convey what Prof. Swidler had in mind, you can watch this four minute video of Swidler’s recent address to the Scottish Parliament that explains the “mantra.” 

In addition, here is my short meditation that captures the gist of the conference as I have experienced it  “Our Great Struggle for Interdependence.”

Finally, here are the words of Prof. Swidler: “Dialogue is not just a way to gain more information. Dialogue is a whole new way of thinking! We are painfully leaving behind the Age of Monologue, and are with squinting eyes entering into the Age of Global Dialogue!”