Broadening the National Day of Prayer

This year the National Day of Prayer (NDP for short) will be observed on May 1st.  First, a little history… Congress created a National Day of Prayer in 1952 so that “the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.”  In 1988, President Reagan established the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer (Public Law 100-307).  Congress’ intent was to designate a day where all Americans can come together and pray according to their own beliefs.  

So on May 1^st, as in years prior, President Bush will commemorate the day with remarks at the White House and most, if not all, of the fifty governors will issue a proclamation officially declaring the day as the National Day of Prayer.  (Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura famously refused to issue an official proclamation 1999 through 2002, citing separation of church and state.)  Communities across the country will acknowledge the day with local events by coming together, praying and giving thanks in churches, community centers and town squares. 

The evangelical Christian community in particular, has embraced the NDP and will be coordinating many local events for Christians under the auspices of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.  While the National Day of Prayer Task Force sounds official, the Task Force is actually an independent non-profit organization that runs Christian-focused and led events.  Thousands of people will participate in Task Force events this year.

How should we observe an occasion like this?  Recent data from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life’s U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, 2008 shows that America at large is a religiously and culturally diverse nation, with 83% of Americans self-identifying as religious.  Yet, 44% of Americans have switched religious affiliations (including shifts among Protestant denominations) and over 16% percent of American adults report that they aren’t affiliated with any particular religion.  Regardless of which camp we fall into, we may also believe that government shouldn’t be mandating a day of prayer at all.  And on top of that, so many of the 1000s of NDP events held across the country are organized by and aimed at Christians, thus excluding many who might want to participate.

What do you think?  Are you planning to organize or attend an NDP event?  Does your workplace recognize the NDP or hold any events for its employees?  Is the NDP something the government should be promoting?

For some other takes on the NDP, check out:

Proclamation, National Day of Prayer, President George W. Bush, 2008

 

 

The National Day of Prayer Task Force

 

 

Critics say Day of Prayer ‘hijacked’ by evangelicals, Adelle M. Banks, The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, April 23, 2008 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 3 (and final): Q&A with a student of conflict resolution

The first posting in this series listed “professional” questions; the second “personal,” this third and final posting lists questions about the subfield of religion and conflict resolution

(1) In what general direction do you see the field of conflict resolution moving (i.e., what do you feel are the dominant theories and practices in the field?)

I think that the conflict resolution field is in part struggling, in part thriving around the classic dichotomy of the ivory tower/government elite and the grassroots. CR should be an inherently practical field. I think that increasingly, we are making the necessary connections so that practice and theory nurture one another.

I also think that law is diminishing as a focus, while international relations is increasingly viewed as a natural fit with conflict resolution.

(2) What do you find to be the biggest challenges and benefits to working in the field of conflict resolution, in general, and religious peacemaking, specifically?

On a personal level, I find it difficult to explain to people what I’m doing. This is especially true once the word religion is thrown because in terms of that subject, we live in a polarized environment. Instead of nice, neutral or open-ended reactions you might get any variance of zeal or rejection. In the benefits column, I love meeting people that are doing this work; I find hope and inspiration in them.

I think that the above apply professionally as well. Because religion is provocative and manifest in many different forms, interactions require more getting to know you time. Assumptions are less of a good idea than usual. Also, as implied above, the work can fuel itself - there is plenty of motivation to stay engaged, especially when the suffering to which you are exposed is tempered by examples of success and compassion.

(3) In what ways do you feel the study of religion will or will not be incorporated into the fields of conflict resolution and peace studies?

Sociology, culture, politics. These are words we are comfortable with and to the degree that ‘religion and conflict resolution’ is associated with them, I think that the general field is ready to work with us. But spirituality, theology, creed - these are not words that fit comfortably into Western academic and policy space. Yet, these are an inherent part of religious identity and religious practice. I highlight this disconnect not to say that the study of religion will remain bifurcated; I hope that it does not because we’ve much to learn from the aspects of religion that do not fit neatly into a social science curriculum. Still, it is helpful to think of the relationship between religion and conflict resolution as a work in progress, one that will require both sides to avoid essentialism or utilitarianism.

(4) Finally, in what ways do you believe the skills and tools developed within a religious tradition should be utilized for various conflict resolution practices (i.e., reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts)?

I think it is important to realize that many religious people that have never even heard of conflict resolution are already involved in reconciliation and peacebuilding. The skills and tools that are developed in the process should be utilized with the participation of those who preserve or create them.

The Rev. William Lowrey (a Tanenbaum Peacemakers in Action award recipient) tells a story of an indigenous ritual “discovered” by conflict resolution practitioners from outside of the community. The ritual was misused by the outsiders and this not only caused the specific intervention to fail, it also destroyed the power of this particular ritual of the community. What was once an effective and cherished practice could no longer be enacted.

The above story highlights the importance of supporting local indigenous peacemakers. It also illustrates that religious skills and tools are agents of change as they exist within religious traditions and communities. While secular practitioners can certainly adapt religious techniques and vice-versa, they have most to learn in partnership with their religious counterparts.

Around the Web: Religion and Diversity Education

Have some time on your hands? Take a minute to read up on some of the news of the week concerning religion and diversity in the educational sphere. Around the Web is a feature that brings together a variety of recent articles that address the issues of religion and diversity and their places in education (public and private)!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these links!

February 21st is International Mother Tongue Day! Celebrate!

Diversity education bill proposed in California after school shooting.

Florida State Board of Education rules that evolution is a “theory,” not a fact, that should taught in Florida schools.

“Bill of Responsibilities” to be taught to secondary students in South Africa, highlights respect for diversity.

Durban, South Africa school denies admission to Sikh boy based on his appearance.

Economic Diversity @ Stanford- the university will now offer tuition breaks to families with incomes under $100,000.

The number of multiculturalism courses being offered in high schools and colleges is on the rise.

For information on Tanenbaum’s programmatic offerings in Religion and Diversity Education, check out our trainings and curricula!

Different Kinds of Difference

Recently our Executive Vice President, Joyce Dubensky, and I were interviewed by Rose Garrett, a writer for Education.com on the issue of religious diversity among young people.  One of the thoughts I had, and mentioned in the interview, is that there are different kinds of difference.  Having gone to a prep school here in New York, the first difference that I generally recognized was being one of a few Black students in the school.  I might also notice class depending on where we decided to have lunch that day.  So, from my high school years I would identify diversity with where I was different.  At Tanenbaum, we look through the particular lens of the difference of religion as it applies to diversity.  We don’t discount the other factors.  We can’t!  Yet I think there is value for all of us to continue to peel back the layers of what we call diversity and be critical about who’s different at any point in time.  Occasionally, someone will mention my ability to speak in front of people as something that makes me unique, different.  I have to wonder in those moments if I’m different from other Trainer/Educators? Different from other Black people?  Different from other Brooklynites?  Exactly how am I different?  And if I am different, where is the diversity?

Pure Gold

I have the pleasure of designing and delivering the training programs for Tanenbaum.  Whether it’s employees at Harvard or site coordinators from a local YMCA, people really want to follow the rules.  Not the rules of a workplace or an institution, but the golden rules.  They want to be kind.  They want to be curious without being insulting.  They want to be respectful.  They want to be respected.  They want for their colleagues want they want for themselves.  We are in a unique position to aid them in their journey.

 

I am inspired and encouraged as we approach year’s end that the search for gold is not limited to remote parts of countries I’ve never visited, or what’s on sale at major retailers as holiday gifts.  Rather the gold I see people searching for is the gold of being and living in a world that works for everyone, especially where religion is concerned.  It’s good to have something for my 2008 to do list – 1. Figure out how to help people be themselves and respect that in others.

Chanukah Sameach!

For all those who celebrate, a very Happy Chanukah!