Acts of Faith

Monday's Media Review

Acts of Faith:
The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation
by: Eboo Patel

An important book both for Common Tables members and for anyone interested in exploring the dynamics of interfaith harmony.

Ideal for young people struggling to understand their place in the world and their power to create meaningful change, "Acts of Faith" provides a persistent, clear, hands-on, real world vision of pluralism. The founder of the Interfaith Youth Core, Eboo Patel is a former Rhodes Scholar and holds a doctorate in the Sociology of Religion from Oxford. In "Acts of Faith", he shows how bringing young people of diverse religions together to engage in service work does not undermine their own religious identity, but actually reinforces and deepens it.

Patel provides numerous examples of how mainstream faith failed to reach young people, but his own story is even more powerful. By his example, he shows us all how it is possible to be both American and Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu.

"Acts of Faith" reminds us of the critical, urgent role of young people as change agents. And that an angry youth can be transformed into an important leader in the cause of global harmony.

Easily one of the best contemporary first-person stories of youth activism and interfaith cooperation.

4.5 Stars!
Original Release Date: July, 2007
Length: 189 Pages
For Special Pricing on "Acts of Faith", Click Here

Dr. Arun Gandhi on Common Tables:

Dr. Arun Gandhi, President, M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY:

"The conflicts and misunderstandings that proliferate in the world today are issues that should concern all of us since these attitudes lead to violence. Common Tables is a unique project to bring disparate people together across a common table to break bread and dialogue to reach an understanding. I have no hesitation in endorsing this venture wholeheartedly and wish them great success."

SWEET & SPICY PECANS

Continuing this month's "appetizer" theme, bring a batch of these along with last week's suggested Rosemary Walnuts.

SWEET & SPICY PECANS

These nuts are first sautéed and then lightly toasted to crisp perfection. Remember to save some for your guests!

Yield: 3 Cups

3 Tablespoons butter
3 cups pecan halves
½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika *
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup cider vinegar
salt to taste

Set oven rack on middle level. Preheat oven to 325°F.

Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and sauté, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Cook just until the nuts are lightly browned and begin to smell toasted. Add the brown sugar and continue cooking, still stirring, until the pecans are evenly coated and lightly caramelized.

Combine spices (cumin, chili powder, paprika, cinnamon and nutmeg) in a small bowl. Stir spice mixture into the pecans until evenly coated. Sprinkle cider vinegar over the nut mixture and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until all liquid has evaporated. Add salt to taste.

Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast, stirring once or twice, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

* We prefer to use Smoked Spanish Paprika in this recipe, but the difference is a subtle one. It will be fine with what ever kind of paprika you have on hand.

An important point:

As a global family, our challenge isn’t that we can't get along with each other; it's that we just don't.

To begin to get a handle on the challenge, consider the shear numbers of differing belief systems on our ever shrinking planet. By way of example, adherents.com gathers statistics for “over 4,200 religions, churches, denominations, religious bodies, faith groups, tribes, cultures, movements, ultimate concerns, etc.” How do we, as a truly global people, come to a place where we honor our differences – and celebrate our common ground? How can we develop a sense of global harmony at a time when a spotlight seems to be shining on our differences?

Here at Common Tables we think the solution is as simple as getting to know one another. Our model is an uncomplicated one: Bring together small groups of seemingly diverse individuals. Offer them tools which allow them to dialogue in relaxed social settings. And encourage them to break bread together and to get to know one another.

The Dalai Lama described the act of bringing food to the table as “one of the basic roots of all relationships”.

Friday's Food for Thought

This Friday we put forth a bit of the wisdom of Black Elk* (1863-1950) for you to chew on:

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."

*a famous Wichasha Wakan (Medicine Man or Holy Man) of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux).

Heard From The Tables

Dan L. Colorado, Common Tables Member


"In a world in which religion is the source of bitter division and bloodshed, as well as of love, caring and peace, it is important for people of differing faiths to find a common table where they can demonstrate a shared devotion while learning of the beliefs of others. As conceived, 'Common Tables' is an effort to facilitate that kind of sharing and learning. We have met and learned from a modest sampling of believers and unbelievers. We hope to meet more and learn more and to share our commitment to a shared humanity. "

Paper Clips - An Extraordinary Documentary

Monday's Media Review:

A beautiful documentary.

Set in a middle school in a small town in rural Tennessee, this film details an extraordinary experiment in Holocaust education. As they struggle to comprehend the idea of six million victims, the eighth grade students at Whitwell Middle School decide to collect six million paper clips to help them grasp the terrible vastness of the tragedy. The film details not only how the students collected millions upon millions of paper clips, but shows how they met Holocaust survivors from around the world.

You will be transformed as you watch the project change not only the students, but the entire town of Whitwell, Tennessee.

We give this one 5 Stars!!
Original Release Date: 2004
Length: 82 minutes

Milestones Project

Some of the best work in support of global harmony that we know of is being done by the folks at the Milestones Project. Click Here to check out their website. Their products are wonderful and the work they are doing is second to none!! The pictures and text below are from their site:


Child
When we lose our first teeth, when we take our first steps, when we make our first friends, we are members of a single global family. Our joy and pride are identical, regardless of our nationality, ethnicity or religion.

Please support the Milestones Project in any way that you can.

ROSEMARY WALNUTS

Most of our tables choose to divide up the food preparing aspect of their gatherings. A common way of doing so is to have one member bring a salad, one a dessert and one an appetizer. When it's your turn for the appetizer, here's one that's quick and easy to prepare, simple to transport, and is always a big hit:

ROSEMARY WALNUTS

We have seen similar recipes using only olive oil and others using only butter. To our tastes the combination we suggest here is superior.

Yield: 2 Cups

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
2 cups walnut halves

Set oven rack on middle level. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Mix the olive oil, melted butter, rosemary, salt and cayenne in a medium bowl. Add the walnuts and toss until the nuts are coated with the olive oil mixture.

Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast, stirring occasionally, until the walnuts start smelling toasted – about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Heard From The Tables

Pete H., Colorado, Common Tables Member

“We enjoyed a unique open dialogue concerning religious beliefs. We could not discuss this subject with some family and friends because of the sensitivity and personal beliefs of others. This opportunity would not have been possible without the Common Tables organization. Thank you for creating this terrific, ongoing experience.“

Friday's Food for Thought

This Friday we offer a couple of thoughts from Jawaharlal Nehru* (Pandit Nehru) for you to ponder over the coming weekend:

"Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people."

"The only alternative to coexistence is codestruction."

*Indian politician; 1st prime minister of India 1947-1964; father of Indira Gandhi.

SUNSHINE COLESLAW

In the format most commonly used by our Common Tables groups, one of the guests brings a salad, one brings an appetizer and one brings a desert. The idea being to spread out the workload a bit and free up the host/hostess for more active participation in the evening's conversation. With that idea in mind, this week we offer a recipe for a salad which is easy to put together and which travels well:

SUNSHINE COLESLAW:

Sunshine Coleslaw travels well. In the quantities listed, it can make an interesting and unusual contribution to a Common Tables gathering. Just be sure to wait until the last minute to add the dressing – otherwise the red cabbage and cranberries will turn the whole salad an unattractive sort of pink color.

Yield: 12 Servings

Salad
2 - 16 ounce pkgs coleslaw mix
2 Granny Smith, or other tart apples, cored, peeled and diced
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped pecans

Sunshine Dressing
1 - 12 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
¼ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons orange blossom honey
1 teaspoon celery seeds

For the Salad, combine the coleslaw mix, apples, cranberries, and pecans in a large bowl. Toss to mix evenly.

For the Sunshine Dressing, combine the orange juice concentrate, cider vinegar, vegetable oil, honey, and celery seeds in a “shaker jar”*. Shake vigorously until well mixed.

Just before serving: Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss until coated evenly. Serve immediately.

* For these purposes, a “shaker jar” is any jar which has a tight fitting lid and which is large enough to hold the dressing ingredients.

"Turkish Islam and the Secular State: The Gulen Movement"

Monday's Media Review

Peaceful Islamic movements are an integral part of the fabric of Turkish life. This book explores recent reformations of Islam and culture in Turkey – in particular the Islamic modernist Fethullah Gulen movement.

The Gulen movement, easily one of the most significant over the past 50 years in Turkey, combines a devotion of Islam with an emphasis on modern learning, particularly modern sciences. Combine these teachings with Gulen’s focus on tolerance and on co-existence in a pluralistic society and we find a movement which not only inspires many young Turkish Muslims, but which suggests a model of compassionate dialogue for the entire planet.

To my knowledge, this book is the first academic attempt to examine Gulen’s teachings. In this time of so much anti-Muslim rhetoric, this book serves as an important reminder that Islam, like all religions, must be studied in context . . . and that context is always a product of political, social and economic conditions.

4 Stars!

Original Release Date: November, 2003

Length: 256 Pages

For Special Pricing on "Turkish Islam and the Secular State", Click Here

Friday's Food For Thought

"According to the basic principles of my religion I am not to seek to convert anyone not born into our laws . . . We believe that the other nations of the Earth are directed by God to observe only the law of nature and the religion of the Patriarchs . . . I fancy that whosoever leads men to virtue in this life cannot be damned in the next."

Moses Mendelssohn, German-Jewish philosopher (1729-1786)

Exclusivity vs Inclusivity

Today's "Food for Thought"

Why do you suppose it is that the word "exclusivity" appears, as nearly as I can tell, in all online dictionaries (and in all of the print dictionaries on my shelves) . . . yet I find "inclusivity" in none of them?

GREEK-STYLE CHICKEN & RICE

More in our series of recipes which work well in the Common Tables format. To help keep the host/hostess out of the kitchen, and to give them as much time as possible with their guests, we encourage the use of slow cooker and casserole "one-dish meal" sorts of recipes.

GREEK-STYLE CHICKEN & RICE:

A real crowd pleaser. Simple enough for everyday; fancy enough for company.

Notes for participants: If your Table includes members with strict alcohol prohibitions, substitute non-alcoholic white wine, chicken broth or stock, white grape juice, or water for the white wine in the ingredients list.

Servings: 6 (This recipe "scales" well, so adjust the ingredients as appropriate for the size of your Table.)

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup white wine
• ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 Tablespoons oregano
• 1 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 - 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 - 6 ounce can whole black pitted olives, drained
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese, about 2 cups

For the Rice:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 3 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

Combine all ingredients – except chicken, feta cheese and those used to prepare the rice – in a slow cooker. Stir to combine thoroughly.

Stir the chicken into the tomato/olive mixture. Cover. Cook on LOW for 8 hours.

For the Rice: Start cooking the rice about 30 minutes before serving. Combine rice, water, oregano and bouillon granules in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until all liquid is absorbed – about 20 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.

To Serve: Spoon a generous helping of rice onto each individual plate. Place chicken pieces on top of the rice, ladle the tomato/olive mixture over chicken, and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Pluralism

Pluralism - a critical concept in a world where communication is increasing awareness and awareness is changing the religious landscape . . . but what is pluralism?

It is a concept we will be visiting frequently over the coming months. To get your thinking started, here is a portion of the definition found in the American Heritage Dictionary:

1. A condition in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural groups are present and tolerated within a society.
2. The belief that such a condition is desirable or socially beneficial.
3. The doctrine that reality is composed of many ultimate substances.
4. The belief that no single explanatory system or view of reality can account for all the phenomena of life.

To our knowledge, there is no better source of information on the subject of pluralism in the United States than the Pluralism Project at Harvard University - they have been studying changes in America's religious landscape since 1991 - their site is an outstanding gathering place for information.

We will be returning to the subject of pluralism again and again. In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the Harvard site.

"Kundun"

Monday's Media Review

I’m not sure how we missed this treasure when it was released in 1997. Granted, it is the sort of film which somehow stays a bit under the radar; even so, it did receive four Oscar nominations (cinematography (by Roger Deakins), music (by Philip Glass), costumes and art direction).

This is a beautiful biopic covering the period in the life of the Dalai Lama from 1933, through the Chinese invasion of Tibet, and ending with his flight into India. Even if you're not all that acquainted with Buddhism, you will be impressed with the way the film manages to capture the mystical essence of Tibetan Buddhism.

Kundun was filmed with a cast of unknowns in Morocco after film crews were forbidden to enter Tibet. However, the cast of “non-actor” Tibetan actors, some of whom are related to the Dalai Lama, lend the film a gritty, honest feeling which somehow complements the austere Himalayan landscapes.

Wonderful cinematography and a broodingly brilliant score by Philip Glass combine to give this film a transcendent beauty.

It may take a bit of extra effort to find Kundun, but it will be time well spent . . there are moments in this film that will stay with you for years.

Friday's Food for Thought

"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth."

Tich Nhat Hanh


"As believers we all have an opportunity and moral obligation to recognize our spiritual common ground; to rise above our differences; to combat prejudice and intolerance."

Queen Noor of Jordan

We're Back!!

Sorry about our silence over the past month! We've been busy creating Virtual Tables - the internet home of the Common Tables family and the web's premier interfaith networking site!

We will be talking more about Virtual Tables over the next several weeks, but for now we point out that membership in the Virtual Tables Network is open, at no charge, exclusively to members of Common Tables.

Virtual Tables is currently being beta tested by a group of Common Tables members. We will be rolling it out to our general membership within the next few days.

Those interested in joining, or in finding out more about, the Common Tables interfaith initiative are encouraged to visit our website.