It's time to reclaim religion | Sharon Brous
New Section
The speaker reflects on the turbulent global events in 2004 and the impact on her as a new mother and young rabbi, prompting her to contemplate the role of religion in addressing societal challenges.
Reflection on Global Turmoil
- The speaker expresses concern about the state of the world amidst terrorism and ideological shifts, pondering the future for her child.
- Religion is identified as a significant factor in global conflicts, with a rise in religious extremism leading to violence worldwide.
- Instances of violence tied to religious motivations are highlighted, showcasing how religion can be misused to justify atrocities.
Religion's Challenges
The discussion delves into the failures and dual challenges faced by religion today: religious extremism and religious routine-ism.
Failure of Religion
- Religious extremism is recognized as a significant issue, contributing to violence and social divisions.
Challenges Faced by Religion
- Religious routine-ism is described as a pervasive problem where rituals lack meaning and fail to engage believers authentically.
Reimagining Religious Life
The speaker shares her journey of seeking to revitalize Jewish tradition by engaging diverse individuals in reimagining religious practices.
Reclaiming Tradition
- A collaborative effort is initiated to explore innovative ways of revitalizing Jewish traditions amidst contemporary challenges.
Religious Revitalization and Social Change
The speaker discusses his journey of leaving his job to create a new religious community called "IKAR" and the broader movement of revitalizing religion to address societal challenges.
Building a New Religious Community
- Established "IKAR," meaning "the essence," as a reinvented religious life.
- Emphasized reclaiming the positive aspects of various traditions to counter violence with compassion and kindness.
Shared Ethos in Religious Communities
- Identified wakefulness as a common commitment among diverse religious groups, emphasizing awareness of global issues.
- Highlighted the importance of recognizing social injustices and taking action based on religious teachings.
Principles for Social Engagement
- Urged religious leaders to awaken people from apathy by confronting uncomfortable truths about societal challenges.
- Stressed the significance of hope as an act of defiance against pessimism, illustrated through real-life examples.
Empowerment Through Faith
- Illustrated how faith communities provide hope and purpose, especially in times of despair or adversity.
- Discussed the principle of mightiness, balancing humility with the belief in making meaningful contributions to society.
Interconnectedness and Global Awareness
- Explored rituals that symbolize both powerlessness and empowerment within religious practices.
Radical Individualism and Collective Responsibility
The speaker discusses how systems of oppression benefit from radical individualism, emphasizing the interconnectedness of societal issues and the importance of collective responsibility.
Systems of Oppression and Interconnected Problems
- Radical individualism benefits systems of oppression.
- Emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in addressing societal issues.
- Highlights the impact of racism, transphobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism as shared problems that require collective action.
Multifaith Justice Movement
The speaker introduces a multifaith justice movement that aims to leverage religion as a positive force for social change.
Emma Lazarus' Quote and Multifaith Justice Movement
- References Emma Lazarus' quote on freedom for all individuals.
- Stresses the importance of unity in achieving freedom for everyone.