January 15 - Meaning Making

January 15, 2012 Photo: Marcus Braybrooke “Meaning making,” a particularly human activity, can stretch us to our intellectual, spiritual limits. But it is much more, influencing our behavior, capable of calling for the ‘best’ we have, and sometimes asking us to put our lives on the line. Paul Knitter, Maha Ghosananda, Irfan Khan and members of the International Interfaith Peace Council in the village of Acteal, Mexico, protesting the massacre of 45 children, women, and men. Professor Knitter’s contribution to vital meaning making among all religious, spiritual traditions, is profiled in this issue. Editorials “Meaning” Brings Everyone to the Table Reviewing The Year 2011 Look Back in Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, December 21, 2011 Interfaith News Obama Hosts Religious Tolerance Conference for Muslim Governments – Pope Calls for “Shared Responsibility” Among Religions – U.S. Military Welcomes its First Hindu Chaplain – Faith Communities Educating Each Other in Singapore – Muskegon, Michigan, Dedicating a Year to Interfaith Understanding – Australian Interfaith Activists Oppose Domestic Violence – 35 Acres Purchased for Multifaith Neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska – Praying Together a 5-Year Tradition in Edmonton Abrahamic Communities – Haifa's Holidays Embrace Religious Differences – Muslim, Hindu, Christian Children Celebrate Together at One Pakistan School Interfaith Reports Mussie Hailu in Mogadishu, Somalia, and Durban, South Africa January 2012 Theme Meaning Making Foundational Documents The Oneness of the Human Family by Marcus Braybrooke Paul Knitter & 21st Century Religion Pluralism - A Home For All Of Us by Paul Chaffee Interfaith Skill-sets When Wiccans & Evangelical Christians Become Friends by Don Frew Comparative Theology As Iron Sharpens Iron, So Does One Tradition Sharpen Another by Benjamin DeVan Interspiritual Students Indian Spirituality at T Mobile Los Angeles by Ruth Broyde Sharone “How Do I Make Meaning Out of Life? Seven Interreligious Leaders Respond     How I Make Meaning in Life by Jim Burklo, Christian     Ice-breakers, Dancing, and Meaning Making by Vanessa Gomez, Humanist     What is Most Meaningful in My Life as a Buddhist by Rita Gross, Buddhist     Starting with Moksha and Karma Yoga by Samir Kalra, Hindu     One Thousand Words on “Meaning” by Nancy Fuchs Kreimer, Jewish     Faith and the Journey toward Meaning by Craig Phillips, Muslim     The Fiery Force that Sparkles in Everything by Yoland Trevino, Mayan “How Do I Make Meaning Out of Life? Eight Young Adults Respond State of Formation Weighs in on Meaning     Internal Diversity & Intra-Faith Conversations by Simran Jeet Singh, Sikh     Finding Meaning Within Judaism by Lauren Tuchman, Jewish     Meaning Making: The Religion that lets you live and let live by Sai Santosh Kolluru, Hindu     The Ocean of My Words by Phillipe Copeland, Baha'i     Meaning and meaning: An Important Difference     by Kile Jones, atheism, secular humanism, and Unitarian Universalist     The Search for Meaning by Myriam Francois-Cerrah, Muslim     Meaning vs. Hope by Yaira Robinson, Jewish     Making Sense of the Bible: What Grandma and Seminary Taught Me by Kit Evans, Christian Resources New Harvard Journal Focuses on Comparative Theology by Sandy Westin Opportunities Religious Calendar Major Events Calendar