Editorial : Interfaith Council can offer space for provocative dialogue

President Barack Obama challenged higher education institutions this summer to create interfaith councils in an effort to increase dialogue among faith and life views. Tiffany Steinwert, dean of Hendricks Chapel, revived the Syracuse University Interfaith Council in response to Obama’s challenge.

Sectarianism sits at the foundation of many conflicts worldwide, and organizations like this new council can dispel much of the ignorance and many of the misconceptions regarding religious stereotypes — including irreligious groups like atheists and agnostics.

The SU group remains in its infancy with only three members and a council goal of 12 to 15. With so many strong religious and ethnic student organizations on campus, SU should provide a wealth of interest. The council’s cause is one of incredible importance to today’s world, and campus organizations should consider asking members to reach out and serve on the council. The council should make a special effort to make clear to agnostics, atheists and members of non-monotheistic religions that they comprise part of the inter-religious community are welcome on the council.

Juice Jam offered a great venue for the Interfaith Council to demonstrate its potential outreach when in cooperation with major student organizations. The council spearheaded the can collection and pushed University Union to set aside ticket sales for a charitable cause in light of the anniversary of 9/11.

Important ways the council can be especially relevant is to organize guest or professor lectures on pertinent matters where politics, society and religion cross. Often, the hardest conversations to have regarding religion are likewise the most crucial to have. Providing a debate or conversation space for various topics regarding religion could generate considerable student interest from an academic and a religious perspective.