The promise of pluralism is a path to navigating deep difference without retreating into isolation or imposing one-size-fits-all mandates. At The Aspen Institute’s Religious Pluralism at 250 conference, Eboo Patel, Wendy Cadge, and John Inazu explained how equitable public pluralism is the best path to navigating our current divides—and why religious liberty is non-negotiable. Check out their full conversation: https://lnkd.in/e7rbbBZQ
About us
The world we live in today is multi-religious, multi-racial and multi-ethnic. The Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute believes there is value in those differences. We envision a society where religious and non-religious people thrive, respecting and engaging together across beliefs. Launched in 2012, the Religion & Society Program strives to strengthen the understanding of religion's role in advancing equity and the common good. The Program focuses on bridging the gap between ideas and impact, building the capacity of faith-based leaders, galvanizing philanthropic investment, and serving as a national knowledge hub that informs and connects leaders from various fields and worldviews. By emphasizing network and community building, the Program is creating and amplifying connections that can break down barriers for generations to come.
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http://www.aspeninstitute.org/religion
External link for Religion & Society Program
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Updates
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Religion & Society Program reposted this
Grateful to see Mapping the Religion & Media Space [read it here: https://lnkd.in/dSPdCSXc] already finding readers on the religious literacy side of the field, Kate Soules, PhD. Thank you for the thoughtful engagement. Looking forward to the conversation that follows. With thanks to the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute for publishing the report and the Henry Luce Foundation Inc for its generous support. #religionandmedia #religiousliteracy #medialiteracy #religionandsociety
Religious Literacy Researcher, Consultant, Educator | Founder and Director @ Religion & Education Collaborative
I've only had a chance to skim the new Mapping the Religion & Media Space report from the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute, but I've already come across some great insights: "Funders and media producers alike must recognize that religion is not just belief—it is behavior, practice, culture, community, and power. Stakeholders call for deep investment in religious literacy—particularly literacy that is interdisciplinary, historically informed, and skilled in digital media" "Social media has significantly transformed traditional religion media by reshaping both content distribution methods and the types of material that gain prominence. Discourses on religion and spirituality are increasingly shaped by individuals rather than institutions." "Mis/disinformation and politically instrumentalized religion are ecosystem problems, not content problems...In this environment, even rigorous, ethically grounded reporting struggles to compete with content optimized for virality, emotional resonance, or partisan alignment." There is so much here and I'm looking forward to really reading this report! I'm excited about connections to my own work mapping the field of religious literacy education, thinking about intersections with digital literacy and other other literacies, and equipping students to engage with the increasingly complex, and even fraught, religion and media landscape. https://lnkd.in/gJQCy_3p #religiousliteracy #medialiteracy #religionandsociety
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With an ever-evolving technological landscape, national media has reached an inflection point——influence now lies with those who understand platform dynamics instead of subject matter experts. Timely as ever, Gerald FitzGerald, Ph.D. prepared a report on the possibilities this era of media presents——including how AI, the newest actor on the scene, is a growing part of the conversation. As you read his report, don’t miss the thoughtful panel discussion on AI, belief, and technology with Meghan Sullivan, Michael S., and David DeSteno from The Aspen Institute's Religious Pluralism at 250 conference. Read FitzGerald’s report “Mapping the Religion & Media Space” ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ersyGrzh Watch the Religious Pluralism at 250 conversation, “Belief & Technology 250 Years Later” ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ePh3MVKN
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Pluralism asks us to engage not only with differences in what we believe, but also with how those beliefs inform the challenges and possibilities of everyday life—what we call lived religion. At The Aspen Institute’s Religious Pluralism at 250 conference, Kate Bowler and Noel King explored how belief shapes our experiences of joy and suffering. Listen to their conversation ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e-JPMQVD
Religious Pluralism at 250: Water in the Desert
https://www.youtube.com/
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Our fellows convening has officially wrapped, closing with a final panel from Miranda Kennedy and Will Saletan, both seasoned journalists who discussed religious literacy in contemporary journalism. The fellows will reconvene in March for further enrichment. In the meantime, they’ve been charged with thinking about how they can serve and strengthen the cohort, while also diving into their individual projects. We’re excited to see the pluralism they build!
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Day two of our religion fellows’ Aspen DC convening included a conversation with Jedd Medefind and Melissa Rogers—two former public officials who led the White House faith-based office during the Bush, and later the Obama and Biden years, respectively. Then, the fellows took a deep-dive into the art of narrative with a storytelling workshop, and tonight they will gather for a dinner discussion about a new book co-authored by a Muslim political scientist and Christian public theologian.
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Is the correlation between falling national religious engagement and rising political polarization a mere coincidence? Or is there a larger story to tell? In our newest Faith Angle podcast, we sit down with a pair of political theologians, Matthew Kaemingk and Shadi Hamid—one evangelical and the other Muslim—to discuss their hot-off-the-press book, “Can Religion Save Democracy?” Tune in 👇 https://lnkd.in/eVwX_AZ3
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Our inaugural class of 10 religion fellows’ first convening is in full swing! This week our fellows are engaging in dialogue with religious leaders, journalists, former public officials, and humanities scholars who are inviting cooperation across deep difference. Speakers include Frederick Davie, Miranda Kennedy, David Saperstein, Imam Magid, Gregory Smith, Will Saletan, Alexis Ettinger, Jedd Medefind, and Melissa Rogers. Check out this year’s cohort and learn more about the productive work they’re already advancing: https://lnkd.in/gFcVvY2j
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Join our friends at the Center for Christianity and Public Life next week for their annual summit, For the Good of the Public. The event will be October 5–7 in Washington, DC, and speakers include Judge Patrick Schiltz, Mayor Danny Avula, Nazanin Ash, Russell Moore, Jane Kamensky, Jennifer Herdt, Vince Bacote, and others. Register here: https://lnkd.in/errSu9DD
Here’s a look at what’s ahead at the Summit, Oct 5–7 in Washington, D.C. Day 1 asks what’s worth carrying into America’s next 250 years. Judge Patrick Schiltz sits down with The Trinity Forum president Cherie Harder on the rule of law. Historian Jane Kamensky, sociologist Ruth Braunstein, and Jason Garrett of Freedom Together take up the role of protest in public life. Jeffrey Rosen, Jennifer Herdt, and Vincent Bacote ask what virtue has to do with civic life. The evening closes with the Civic Renewal Awards, honoring Bishop Claude Alexander Jr. and John Carr. Day 2 turns to the decisions ahead. David Bailey opens with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” as Emma Green interviews Matthew Kaemingk and Shadi Hamid about their book, Can Religion Save Democracy? Russell Moore considers where American evangelicalism goes from here. Nazanin Ash of Welcome.US speaks on the choice to welcome, Mayor Danny TK Avula on the future of the American city, and Kelly Born on how AI can work for our civic future. A panel modeated by Rachel Cohen Booth with Leah Sargeant, Tara McGuinness, and Brad Littlejohn asks what American families need. On Wednesday morning, choose one of six small-group experiences around D.C., from the National Gallery of Art to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Register at https://lnkd.in/errSu9DD
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To kick off The Aspen Institute’s Religious Pluralism at 250 conference, we hosted Ken Burns and David Brooks for a big-think discussion of America’s founding, the role of religion in our story, and the importance of freedom of inquiry, conscience, and assembly in challenging times. Check out their full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/ej-hgSxG
Faith & the American Experiment: An Evening with Ken Burns and David Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/
