Americans relocating faith of their fathers

The Florida Times-Union
February 26, 2008
By Jeff Brumley, The Times-Union

As a minister to Jacksonville college students, Shari O'Brien doesn't need a survey to tell her that a quarter of young adults claim no affiliation with a religious institution.

Nor did Gee Sprague, a local Methodist minister, need a poll to tell him mainline Protestant churches are in decline or that about half of American adults are quitting the faiths they were raised in for nondenominational congregations, other religions or no religion at all.

But confirmation that these trends are continuing as strong as ever came Monday when the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life issued its U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. Relying on interviews with more than 35,000 adults, the survey describes a nation where religious self-identification and loyalty are in flux.

"It's sobering to me, but it's not a surprise," Sprague, pastor of Crossroad Church in Jacksonville, said about the survey.

Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum, told The Associated Press the survey reveals that religion in America is "like a marketplace - very dynamic, very competitive."

"Everyone is losing, everyone is gaining," Lugo told AP. "There are net winners and losers, but no one can stand still. Those groups that are losing significant numbers have to recoup them to stay vibrant."

Read the full story.

A Message From Stephen Simon

In January we presented Stephen Simon's (Spiritual Cinema Circle) Favorite Films of 2007. Following last night's Academy Awards, it seems appropriate this morning to post the "message for both the mainstream film industry and its film critics" with which he introduced his picks for 2007. As many of you know, we are HUGE fans of the Spiritual Cinema Circle and of Stephen Simon, so it should come as no surprise that we find his words worth repeating:

THE MOVIE MYSTIC

BY

STEPHEN SIMON

MY FAVORITE FILMS OF 2007

Before we look at my favorite films from 2007, I have a message for both the mainstream film industry and its film critics: You have both lost all connection with film audiences.

Hollywood has seemingly decided that “quality” now equates with dark, violent, and depressing; consequently, 2007 was one of the bleakest years ever for film distribution. To make matters worse, and to illustrate anew the fable of the emperor’s new clothes, film critics have fallen into lockstep with film distributors. As I write this column on January 1, 2008, the film that has garnered almost every film critic group’s nod as the best film of 2007 is NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, which centers around one of the nastiest, most vicious, and soulless serial killers ever depicted on screen. In the first ten minutes of the film, a man is graphically strangled while the killer looks positively orgasmic and then another innocent man is cold-bloodedly shot between the eyes. And then it gets worse…much worse. Nevertheless, the film critic for the Portland Oregonian said this about the film: “exact, spare, bloody, dark, and unrelenting, it’s superb.”

Excuse me?

While I respect every one’s right to say whatever they believe, I also reserve the right to ask, “What are you folks smoking”? “Best film” means the one film every year that is represented to the rest of the world as the premier achievement in the American film industry. Focusing on the craft itself is fine for categories like sound editing, costume design, or cinematography, but, when you’re talking about the “best film”, content itself should be of paramount importance.

For studios and critics, “superb” and “bloody, dark, and unrelenting” may belong in the same sentence but, fortunately, we in the audience don’t agree. The fall season of 2007 produced the weakest box office results for that period of time in the last ten years. The film industry is quite literally awash in red ink. According to a November 26, 2007 article in Video Business Weekly, the film industry lost a staggering six billion dollars in 2006.

In short, the business model of the film industry is broken. Creatively, it’s even worse. The chasm between the insular, dark, violent, and cynical tastes of most studios and film critics and the desire of audiences to have other choices is now deeper than the Grand Canyon.

I also think it would be wonderful, and more honest, if the Academy (of which I am a member) changed the characterization of awards from “best” to “favorite”. Factors such as both the film’s and the individual’s overall popularity always factor into Academy voting anyway, whether members want to admit it or not. Using “best” in regards to the art form of film is not only unfair to all concerned but also simply impossible to gauge. I have no idea what “best” means in films.

My own list of favorite films of 2007 consists of films that personally moved me, inspired me, and made me feel better about being human. When we post these choices on the message boards for subscribers to the Spiritual Cinema Circle, I’m sure our community will share some passionate opinions and disagreements of their own. That’s the fun of it. Let the discussions begin."

NOTE: You will find Mr. Simon's personal favorite films of 2007 posted in our entries on January 21st and January 28th. Click here for more information about the Spiritual Cinema Circle.

New Mexican Style Bread Pudding

This recipe is more complex than we usually like to present, but you’ll find it more than worth the extra effort. Here it is, Common Tables style Capirotada (Mexican style bread pudding):

New Mexican Style Bread Pudding
(CAPIROTADA)

Common Tables Caution: This recipe uses Madeira wine. It may not be suitable for those Tables with members who have alcohol prohibitions.

In place of the bread pudding standbys of milk and eggs, our version uses a homemade caramel sauce, lots of cheese, and sweet Madeira wine to create an elegant blend of flavors which raise this New Mexican Style Bread Pudding far above its more conventional relatives. Traditionally served during Lent, you will find variations commonly presented under the old Mexican name for this dish: Capirotada.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

8 ounces French style bread (about 1/2 of a normal sized loaf)
1 cup sugar
1½ cups water
1 teaspoon cinnamon (use Ceylon Cinnamon if possible)
4 Tablespoons butter
1 cup Madeira
¾ cup pinon nuts, lightly toasted
¾ cup raisins
4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8” x 8” (2 quart) casserole dish.

Tear the bread into ragged one inch chunks, place on an ungreased baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned – about 10 minutes.

Cook the sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat – without stirring – until it begins to melt around the edges of the pan. Turn the heat down to low and start stirring with a metal spoon. As the sugar continues to melt, it will first turn a golden-yellow color. Stir continuously until all of the sugar has melted and is the color of dark honey. (This step isn’t as tricky as it sounds, but you’ll need to pay attention to avoid burning the sugar.)

Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add the water (a teaspoonful at a time to start). The sugar will boil, foam and generally create a lot of excitement, but just keep stirring and adding the water very slowly. When all of the water has been added, you will have a thin caramel syrup. NOTE: If you find you have some lumps of hard caramel remaining in the syrup mixture, simply return the pan to medium heat and boil until all lumps have dissolved.

While the caramel syrup is still hot, stir in the cinnamon and butter.

Spread the toasted bread in an even layer in the buttered casserole dish. Gently spoon the Madeira over each piece of bread. Sprinkle with the nuts and raisins; top with an even coating of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Then, taking care that the sauce reaches all of the bread, pour on the caramel sauce.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. NOTE: Traditionally the pan is covered with foil during the entire baking time – which results in a bread pudding with a soft, custard-like texture. We prefer to leave the pan covered until the cheese has melted into the general texture of the pudding – about 20 minutes – and to then uncover for the last 10 minutes or so of baking time to allow the pudding to lightly brown.

While the pudding can be served either warm or cold, we like it best warm and garnished with vanilla whipped cream (or vanilla flavored Cool Whip) and lightly dusted with cinnamon. It seems to us that the cinnamon/whipped cream combination mellows the intense sweetness of the Capirotada.

Interfaith Dialogue a Moral Duty to Finding Common Ground

February 15, 2008
by Louay Safi, The American Muslim

Extreme voices in the three religions that claim the monotheist heritage of Prophet Abraham--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--are busy sowing the seeds of confrontation and hate. They have recently taken the advantage of the politically rooted tensions between western and Middle Eastern countries to develop misunderstanding and mistrust among the followers of these religions.

Quoting selectively from Islamic sources, they have painted Islam as an intolerant religion that urges its followers to hate people of other faiths. This depiction belies both the historical record of Muslims dealing with the followers of other faiths, and, most importantly, the Qur’anic message itself. Although historical Muslim societies were imperfect, there are plenty of examples to show that Islamic values inspired Muslims to develop multi-religious societies in which people of diverse religious backgrounds lived in considerable harmony. The tolerance of Medieval Muslim Spain and the invitation extended to Jews expelled from Jerusalem to return to the city upon the defeat of the Crusaders are two shining examples.

The Qur’an reiterates a fundamental truth taught by all the prophets who were sent by God to guide human endeavors. It asserts that true and honest living is the assured way for spiritual and social harmony, and for protecting the long term self interests of every human being.

Read the full article

Visit Common Tables on MySpace!

Another brief heads up:

Here at Common Tables we have opened the door into what is, for us, another new dimension within the Web 2.0 Universe. Yep, we’ve started the process of building a Common Tables Community on MySpace by signing up and creating our initial Profile!

Admittedly, it isn’t yet a very active space, but you can help make it a dynamic force in the international interfaith movement by visiting often (you can find us at www.MySpace.com/CommonTables). Let us know about you. Sign up in the Common Tables Community Group which we will be starting in the next few days (more about that next weekend).

Check back often. We’ll keep you posted as we continue to become an active presence in the Web 2.0 Universe.

Interfaith seminar draws 1,100 at FAU

12:46 AM EST, February 12, 2008
by JAMES D. DAVIS, Sun-Sentinel.com

Angels and demons, saints and murderers: Both are spawned by religion.

"There is no true religion, only true faith," religion scholar Thomas Idinopulos told 1,100 listeners at Florida Atlantic University on Monday night. "Religion can produce goodness and peace, but also madness, murderers, terrorists.

"Beliefs may be right or wrong; they may be idealistic or tyrannical. But faith doesn't deceive, because it leads to good works, and to social and moral justice."

Idinopulos, a comparative religion professor at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, was one of several speakers -- Muslim, Jewish, Christian -- the interfaith Shemin Trialogue Seminar.

Read the full story.

Common Tables - Now a FaceBook Cause!

We have now set up Common Tables as a "Cause" on Facebook.com! Find us by clicking here, then simply enter Common Tables in the "Search Causes" box at the top of the page.

The goal of Facebook Causes is what Facebook calls "equal opportunity activism." Facebook is trying to level the playing field by empowering individuals and newer non-profits to change the world. It sounds simple . . . and it is!!!

We will be using the Common Tables Cause on Facebook to help our friends recruit their friends into the Common Tables Cause, to keep everybody in the Cause up-to-speed on issues related to our global initiative and to keep members in-the-loop as media excitement related to the Common Tables Interfaith Initiative continues to grow.

Our presence on Facebook Causes gives everyone an opportunity to leverage their network on Facebook to effect positive change on a truly global scale. Our presence on Facebook creates an opportunity for all who really care about global harmony to quickly, easily and directly make a difference.

“Causes” provides the tools, you provide the network, Common Tables provides the global initiative. We encourage you to get involved, to get your networks involved . . . and their networks . . . and their networks! Together we can change the world . . . one meal at a time!!

Hindu-Buddhist Dialogue in Louisville (Kentucky)

Feb 1, 2008
http://www.organiser.org/

A Hindu-Buddhist dialogue was organised at Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Louisville, KY on January 5 as part of the cultural exchange programme. The main organisers were Dr Yashwant Pathak, Dr Hieu Tran and Shri Gaurav Shrivastava.

The whole programme was focused on interacting for idea of common beliefs between two world’s great ways of worship i.e. the Hinduism and Buddhism. The dialogue offered an opportunity to share the wonderful values of life not only with each other but also with the next generations and the humanity at large. Since both the ways of worship originated from the same Vedic and Sanatan Dharma traditions from Bharat, hence there is a lot of opportunity to enhance the spices between two ways of worship.

Read the full story

Students' trip to Israel aims at Mideast peace (Denver)

Monday, January 28, 2008
By Jeff Kass, Rocky Mountain News

Presidents, secretaries of state and special envoys have all tried to broker peace in the Middle East.

Now a group of 27 high schoolers from across the metro area - equally divided among Muslims, Jews and Christians - will fly to Israel in June in an effort to bring a measure of peace to the region.

It's a heck of an after-school assignment.

"I think it will make us more well-rounded, and I think it will show us that life is more complicated than walking down to McDonald's and grabbing a double cheeseburger," says Omar Murib, a 17-year-old junior at Douglas County High School, who is Muslim.

"You've got to start somewhere, and we're taking baby steps toward (solving) the war, guns, bullets and achieving peace."

During their 10 days in the region, students will learn firsthand about the facts on the ground, as diplomats say, and meet with peacemaking groups.

Read the full article

Favorite Films of 2007 - Part 2

For today's Monday Media Review we continue last week's listing of Stephen Simon's (Spiritual Cinema Circle) personal favorite films of 2007. Repeating myself here: we are HUGE fans of the Spiritual Cinema Circle and of Stephen Simon, so it should come as no surprise that we place value on his opinions. Here are the final threee of his 2007 selections and, in Mr. Simon's words, his reasons for these choices:

THE GREAT DEBATERS

A powerful and moving tribute to the courage of the African-American Wiley College debating team and its coach in 1930s Texas. Denzel Washington directs and stars in a film that reminds us of what we can accomplish when we decide that it is we, not the world around us, who define ourselves.

JUNO

A funny, poignant, searingly honest, and loving story of a teenager’s unwelcome pregnancy and her search for both herself and the most appropriate adoptive parents. Ellen Page is simply brilliant as the title character and the film has much to say about love, life, and responsibility. It also has one of the sweetest and most touching final scenes in recent memory.

WAITRESS

An offbeat, often hilarious, and sometimes harrowing story about a small town waitress and her unique talent for baking every kind of pie imaginable. Keri Russell achieves superstar actress status with her complex and nuanced portrait of a woman in an emotionally abusive marriage that she yearns to escape. The film is also a loving tribute to Adrienne Shelly, its writer/director/costar who was tragically killed after the completion of the film.

Common Tables at Wind Crest

This past Thursday - the 24th - Common Tables celebrated its newly formed partnership with the Wind Crest retirement community in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Our objective remains that of establishing 750,000 small, interfaith dinner groups which combine to create a grass-roots base for overcoming barriers, misconceptions, and fear-based thinking about diversity and inclusion. The people who live at Wind Crest are contributing to our goals by joining in and starting up their own on-site Common Tables groups.

“There is a genuine community of unity being built here at Wind Crest, and we want to celebrate and recognize that,” said Randy Harris, the Executive Director of Common Tables. “This is the first time we’ve partnered with another organization in this way.”

“I have always believed that it’s important never to judge someone, based on his or her belief in God”, said Clarence Burton, a resident of Wind Crest. “By introducing Common Tables to Wind Crest, we have an opportunity to expand our social and cultural circles. It will give us an opportunity to value the diversity of Wind Crest residents, enabling us to become better neighbors and enriching our community living experience.”

This celebration served as Common Tables at Wind Crest’s inaugural event. The event was attended by numerous residents and staff members from the Wind Crest community. A certificate of Appreciation was presented to the community by representatives from our organization.

Lifted hands, open hearts

Baltimore Sun
January 21, 2008

by Matthew Dolan, Sun Reporter

If any member of the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation at first appeared to be subdued during the joint service with First Mount Olive Free Will Baptist Church, Senior Rabbi Rex D. Perlmeter offered an explanation.

"You lift your hands in prayer, and by tradition we have sat on our hands in worship," Perlmeter said of his Reform congregation's custom of relatively reserved services.

But the stillness was short-lived yesterday as both the Baptist and Jewish congregations in Baltimore took to their feet with cheers praising God at the sprawling Park Heights Avenue temple. They united for more than two hours in a song-filled, tear-soaked, dancing-in-the-aisles service for the first time this weekend to celebrate the birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

In recent years, local Reform synagogues and African-American churches have held joint activities around the holiday for the slain civil rights leader in an effort to foster understanding between African-Americans and Jews, two communities that have had somewhat strained relations in the past.

Read the full article.

Favorite Films of 2007 - Part 1

For today's Monday Media Review we have elected to share with you Stephen Simon's (Spiritual Cinema Circle) personal favorite films of 2007. Many of you already know that we are HUGE fans of the Spiritual Cinema Circle and of Stephen Simon, so it should come as no surprise that we place value on his opinions. Below are the first two of his 2007 selections and, in Mr. Simon's words, his reasons for these choices. We will present the his additional selections next week.

REIGN OVER ME

With bravura performances from both Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle, the film is a beautiful paean to the powers of love, friendship, and, most importantly, healing. Sandler, in particular, is brilliant beyond words. Unfortunately, like Jim Carrey in ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND in 2004 and Will Ferrell in STRANGER THAN FICTION in 2006, Sandler is seen as, and I’m afraid somewhat resented for, being a successful broad comedian, and his incredible performance has been unjustly ignored.

ENCHANTED

What a delightful, whimsical, and hilarious film! Putting some of Disney’s classic fairy tale characters into a modern day context works so well that my whole family just sat there smiling, laughing, and applauding throughout the film. Amy Adams’ fairy tale princess, separated from her prince and sent to modern day New York by an evil queen, is so pitch perfect that we were repeating her lines for days.

Toledo Blade Features Common Tables

The Toledo Blade, Toledo, OH, featured Common Tables in a nice article in this morning's edition. David Yost, Religion Reporter, said in part:

"In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Dave Corby's first reaction was 'to be mad at them - which in my mind was Muslims.'

"After thinking it over, however, he came to the conclusion that 'it was pretty stupid of me because I didn't know any Muslims.'

"That realization was among several factors that inspired Mr. Corby to start Common Tables, a nonprofit, nondenominational group based in Denver, Colo. Its mission is to bring people of different religious traditions together to share meals in relaxed settings, usually someone's home, in order to build better relationships and help diverse groups live in harmony.

"The organization was founded last April, went online in May, and has had more than 300 people enrolled so far. Its ambitious goal, however, is to enlist 3 million participants worldwide within a year."

See the complete article by clicking here: Toledo Blade

"Promoting Dialogue," a Commentary by Interfaith Montgomery (Alabama)

Jan 18, 2008
Montgomery Advertiser

"With the appearance of this column, Interfaith Montgomery and the Montgomery Advertiser introduce a new monthly column dedicated to the increasingly diverse religious communities in our city and surrounding areas. This initial column was written by Rev. Robert Graetz and Rev. Paul Britner, co-conveners of Interfaith Montgomery; Rev. Andrew Dawkins, treasurer; and Rev. Dr. Susan Diamond, secretary.

"The religious spectrum in Montgomery today includes not only the full range of Christian traditions familiar to most people, but also smaller, yet vibrant communities of Buddhists, Hindus, Baha'is, Muslims, and Jews, among others. This diversity is not new, just more prominent.

"The first Jewish community was organized here more than 100 years ago, and Muslims have worshiped at the Masjid Quasim Bilal El-Amin since 1984. Unitarian Universalism, which has roots in the Christian tradition and which today is an open, diverse, non-creedal faith, has been in Montgomery since the 1950s.

"Of course, the Christian community hardly speaks with one voice. Our community has Greek and Roman Catholics, and there are many variations of Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and Lutherans, to name just a few of the Protestant traditions in Montgomery. Thus, Christians should not presume to speak for each other any more than they would for faith groups outside the Christian tradition."

Read the Full Article

Our Blogging Policies

We suppose this is as good a time as any to let the reader know what our policies are. In general, those involved in interfaith activities are independent sorts who don’t like a lot of rules. With that in mind, we have set policies in only a couple of areas:

First are policies concerning our posts:

We will always strive to be truthful and accurate. When we make a mistake of a material nature, we will correct it as soon as we can.

Any necessary corrections or updates will be made in such a way as to not materially impact the substance of our original blog posting.

Mistakes of a non-material nature will not be edited. In other words, we will leave our mistakes visible unless they cause harm.

When we feel it is appropriate, we will link to other websites and blogs; however, we are not endorsing or responsible for the opinions and content of those sites.

Finally, we will post only those items we feel will be of interest to readers with an active involvement in interfaith activities.

And then there are policies impacting reader participation:

You may post comments to this blog.

Our intent is to encourage active and lively participation in this blog. With that goal in mind, we will enforce only a limited number of rules and guidelines:

Your comments will not be moderated before they are made visible.

Your comments will not be edited.

We will not delete criticism of the Common Tables model for interfaith dialogue nor will we delete criticism of our opinions.

We will delete comments determined by us to be proselytizing.

We will delete those posts which criticize or find fault with the beliefs of others.

We will delete comments which contain obscenities, which are believed by us to be spam, and those which don’t contribute to the purposes of this blog.

Statement of Purpose

This blog is established to provide a source of timely information to those with an interest in interfaith dialogue. Most are lead to this site specifically because of their involvement in the Common Tables interfaith initiative; however, visitors with even a casual interest in improving global harmony will find much to occupy them here.

An open heart and a spirit of curiosity are the only requirements for participation in this community. Most have been guided to this site from the Common Tables website (http://www.commontables.org/). While membership in the Common Tables family is not a prerequisite to participation in this community, our members consistently tell us they find their Common Tables experience to be one of the most rewarding activities they have ever been involved with. More information is available on our website.

We welcome your comments and input.

Many thanks for your presence!

Dave, Kay, Randy and Sandy
Founders, Common Tables

Vatican, Muslims Plan 'Historic' Meeting (Vatican City, International)

Jan 2, 2008

by NICOLE WINFIELD
The News & Observer/AP

Catholic and Muslim representatives plan to meet in Rome in the spring to start a "historic" dialogue between the faiths after relations were soured by Pope Benedict XVI's 2006 comments about Islam and holy war, Vatican officials said. Benedict proposed the encounter as part of his official response to an open letter sent to him and other Christian leaders in October by 138 Muslim scholars from around the world. The letter urged Christians and Muslims to develop their common ground of belief in one God.

Three representatives of the Muslim scholars will come to Rome in February or March to prepare for the meeting, the head of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano this weekend.

Read the full story

A Busy Week for International Visitors!!

This past week was a HUGE one for visitors to the Common Tables website . . . and one that set new records for us in global outreach as we had first-time visitors from organizations and/or individuals from 14 new countries!

New countries on the site this week included: Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Montenegro, Taiwan, Poland, South Africa, Costa Rica, Croatia, Norway, Greece, Barbados, Estonia, Jordan and Denmark!

We have now seen a total of 73 different countries on the Common Tables website.

Embracing the New Year

We received this from a Common Tables member in Paksitan early in the morning on New Years Eve Day:

"My dear friends, Salaam alaykum! As this year draws to a close - some might say ignominiously so for us here in Pakistan - I wanted to reach out and share with you in the spirit of heartfelt brotherhood a prayer for a more peaceful 2008; for greater understanding, tolerance, compassion and firmness in the face of blind destructive forces; for more sweetness of inhabiting the life-suckling waters of inner stillness; for more joy in seeing and tasting that though we are indeed in this world, our essential substance is other-worldly - glorious, luminous and eternal."