    |
 |
|
|
 |
    |
Current and Completed Projects at the Academy
Religious GeniusHistorically, most religions have tended to appreciate only those exceptional individuals who have contributed to their own traditions’ formation. While on the popular level there has often been some mix of cults, in seeking blessings from individuals who belong to other traditions, the fuller appreciation of special religious individuals has been limited to members of one’s own tradition. Religion in Contemporary SocietyThe core of the Academy, this project brings together scholars to discuss a range of issues relevant to Religion's contribution to and impact upon society, considered from the perspective of interreligious collaboration. The specific projects are determined by the Academy's board of religious leaders. Projects to date have included:
The Guerrand Hermes Forum for Interreligious Study of the Mystical and Spiritual LifeThere is much popular talk of spirituality, often crossing the lines between religions in ways that classical religions would consider irresponsible. Over the past 20 years the field of spirituality has emerged in the academic world as a discipline in its own right. Practitioners of this discipline see an important role for themselves in addressing the marketplace of ideas and in introducing responsible, scholarly and critical ways of approaching spirituality. This academic discipline holds great promise for interfaith relations. It provides a meeting place for religions in the heart of their religious life, rather than on the common battlefield of life. It holds the promise of growth and transformation through experience, sharing and emulation. It suggests new ways for religions to understand themselves, thereby enriching our view of the possibilities for interfaith relations. Several of the programs Elijah has ran over the past decade belong to the realm of spirituality. We hope to be able to address this area in a more systematic way over the coming decade. Inaugural meeting of the Guerrand Hermes Forum for Interreligious Study of the Mystical and Spiritual Life:
A dedicated website will be released shortly.
Contemporary Theologies of World ReligionsThe objective of this project is to provide the theological background in light of which interreligious dialogue can gain depth and substance. All religions are challenged to reconsider their views of other world religions in the context of the changing landscape of interreligious relations and of the world at large. The project is realized through the creation of multiple teams of scholars, each representing a different religious tradition. This is therefore an intra-religious, rather than interreligious, project. Several conferences have brought together Jewish scholars from around the world to discuss the issue from a Jewish perspective. The initiative is leading to courses and programs that are being held in several participating seminaries as well as to publications that are underway. Work towards a "Contemporary Muslim Theology of World Religions" is currently supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. A major conference was held in Morocco at the University of Ifrane in May 2007 and teams of scholars are continuing to work on issues relevant to the Muslim track. Plans exist for launching similar tracks of theological reflection within other religious traditions.
Jewish-Muslim RelationsThe Elijah Interfaith Institute created a Muslim-Jewish Think Tank in preparation for the First Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, which took place in Brussels in January 2005. The event's proceedings, proudly facilitated by the Elijah Interfaith Institute, were based on the preparatory concept paper, developed by the Think Tank. The concept paper is available in Arabic, English, French and Hebrew (below).
|
|
Click here to subscribe to our Newsletter Sitemap |
