Diana Eck on Religion in the Age of Pluralism
Use of new communication venues necessary to spread message of hope
by Deb Christian
Click here to read the full article and watch Diana Eck’s address
CHICAGO (RCCongress 2010), April 9 — Pluralism: more than one of something; diverse; opposite of a single approach or method.
“Pluralism begins with difference. Real religious pluralism means our engagement with one another requires building sturdy relationships,” said Diana Eck, developer and director of The Pluralism Project at Harvard University, in a Friday keynote address to participants in Religion Communication Congress 2010.
Noting the challenges faced in the United States with its complex religious landscape, Dr. Eck noted that, “religious faith is a powerful force in people’s lives and choices. We must find new ways to spread the message of hope through new communication venues in our world.”
The Pluralism Project tries to bring changing views on religion into the open. “Who are ‘we the people…’ now,” she asked. “This is a new world of encounter for many Americans.”
“We are not all the same. Pluralism begins there. Trying to understand these differences is a great human challenge,” Dr. Eck said. “The world is changed with faith practices of those we know little about. How do we deal with religious differences?”
Click here to read the full article and watch Diana Eck’s address
