BLOG2: FAITH

 Religion, Belief and Faith Identities in Learning and Teaching at UAL.

In my practice, do I really talk or share ideas or address religion, belief and faith?

Religion in Britain; Challenges for Higher Education.

 WE DON’T DO GOD? The changing nature of public religion by Professor Tariq Modood.

Religion intertwines with a range of issues and themes in Society including the relationship of religion, politics and life choices and how religion is not well integrated within the higher education institutions generally because many are secular in terms of their foundation and ethos.

The growth of student numbers and increased recruitment of international students brings many students who are adherent of non- western faiths. In respect we must ask what are the implications for Higher Education? What cultural assumptions can no longer be made, finally we might ask where do atheists fit in campus life?

    It is paramount important that I come out in my practice to talk about my faith and ask about the faith and religion of my students to know their positionality and stand in social affairs and social justice. 

Angela Drisdale Gordon (Head of Further Education at UAL), asking questions ranging from what is in your fridge to do you have a faith? The icebreaker, helps students talk about personal interests and enables them to open up about themselves without feeling pressured into delving too deeply. I also will join in the session to share my interests.

Some students are comfortable to talk about their faith and religion. The quiet prayer room at LCF Curtain Road site is on the ground floor next door to where I have workshops, a few students can sometime asked permission to leave the session to use the quiet room to pray and meditation. 

Religion, the public Space and Higher Education.

   Professor Craig Calhoun, London school of Economics and Political Science.

Whose responsibility is it for religion in our institutions?

Religion is a public good not private good. Organised religion can play a significant role in relation to ethical voice, social wellbeing, culture, heritage and national ceremonies and national identities. This can take the form of input in legislative forum such as the house of Lords, moral and welfare issues and being social partners to the state in delivering education, health, and care services. Religion can be useful in our institutions with inclusivity.

                         The Vague Christian UK

   United Kingdom used to be a prominent faith Country but so recently with liberalism and multiculturalism of the 1960s, as the outlook on faith in the country reflects the attitude of religion in higher education in the country. The public knowledge of the places of Religion is very scanty, people vaguely know about the 17^thcentury reforms. 

The resources presented was very detailed and vast, they opened more knowledge on faith and religion, bringing home discussions on the topic for me and my students.

             Religion and Dissent in Universities.

 Free speech is an important value for universities and the idea that if it is threatened create concern. Religion has history of dictatorship and suppression, of dissent. This is a concern where social justice and movement have pushed forward for freedom of speech, expression and tolerance because of the multiculturalism of Britain. Faith and religion are now diversified and inclusive considering the number of international students in the UK universities.

Religion creates divide, Hatred, conflict, gender biases, and class, from our positionality perceptions, our understanding of others is deeply informed by religion and religious terms. Like the gender equality researches in the universities, it is unparallel with religious establishments, that is a drawback for those concerned about gender equality. Gender and Sexuality are other intolerance in Society. In the Universities, there has been growth in non – binary, sexual and gender identities that is against the values of religion which are associated with family values and traditional identity liberating for some of us and unsettling for others.

Gender and Sexuality are challenging issues for Universities struggling to combine respect for religion and clarity that a lack of respect or denigration based on gender or Sexuality cannot be countenanced.  

   However, some religious congregations and student groups are specifically welcoming and supportive of sexual minorities, some social groups and peace movements are calling for solidarity and co-operation. Some students are actively calling for harmony among different religious groups and leaders in effort to promote greater knowledge of religion beyond their own. They often provide public goods on campuses such as neighbourhood tutoring, peer counselling and mediations. This is a good start of recommendation for my students who needs help.

                             Multiculturalism 

Since the 1960s, there have been a long Movements and Ways of New Social Movements and identity politics of gender, race, and sexuality in Western Europe where institutional accommodation of post immigration ethos-religious minorities or simply called multiculturalism. This marks a new liberal age of new conception of equality and respect for different cultures and religions in public spaces. This ethno-culture is what we aim to bring into the Higher Education for freedom of expression and aiding creativity for students and Staff without fear of oppression and prejudice.

                                     MISTAKEN IDENTITY-CREED

Listening to the talk of Kwame-Anthony Appiah on Reith Lectures.

 It was interesting and reflective, as a black woman of African origin, a Christian protestant, I believe in God and the teaching of Jesus Christ who died, risen and will come again. That is the truth for me and keeps me going and strengthens me. There are many teachings in the Holy Bible I believe and some I don’t understand, or agree with, but it is part of the package. 

 The Christian teaching does not support abortion, divorce or homosexuality, also the Bible teaches that God gave us human a free will to what we want. The freewill to do good, or to do bad, it is our choice but there are consequences for all our actions. I believe in the golden rule of do unto others what you will like others to do unto you. 

 I do not do religion, it is FAITH for me, I have a relationship with Jesus and the community of Christian fellowship of the Church I belong. I am a practical Christian, I believe in doing good, live and let live. Sometimes, I do not agree with most people’s Ideologies and religious beliefs but I get on with them.

My positionality and intersectionality have placed me in a position to value and respect other people’s beliefs and Faith. With in students, I I tend to find out about their positionality and their stand and faith. 

    In the Holy Bible, the book of Matthew chapter 28 verses 19-20 states,” Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo! I am with you always, even to the end of time, Amen.” This is the great commission.  It does not state that you force people to believe in your Christian religion or disrespect other Faith like what colonial imperialism did to African faith and beliefs when they came to Africa.

      In my workshop, I wear my Crucifix and my student sometimes ask me which Church do I go to? It actually opens up a conversation which educational and it is insightful into other beliefs and faith.

INTERVIEW WITH MARK DEAN; THE CHAPLAIN & INTERFAITH ADVISOR FOR CCW & CSM.

  The chaplain for interfaith is for everyone in the University, he is employed by the Church of England, to represent the diocese of London, which shows that religion and faith play important part in the legislation in the UK, but instead of the FAITH, it is faiths which is inclusive. The teaching of Jesus Christ was inclusive that Vicars are for everyone in their parish not just their members in the Church, this is their pastoral care, they are not there to convert people but to help their needs, and direct them to the right help. This is also for the staff.

   Mark Dean pointed out due to the Equality Legislation, under which religion is a protected characteristic, universities are beginning to address the question of creativity and religion which is very much intertwined with intersectionality – the way identities associated with race, religion, gender, sexuality etc overlap and sometime conflict.

  It is interesting that Mark Dean, finds out that in the survey, 50% of students in the University who don’t believe in religion, believe in other things and sometimes in nothing.

  The difference between religion, faith, spirituality and beliefs, as Mark noted, many people will describe themselves as spiritual not religious. He cites an example of Life after death. Christians believe in after death, because Jesus was raised from death and His followers will be raised to be with Him at the end of time.

Mark also noted that some people believe in after death without believing in God, but I know atheist who do not believe in God, but when something happens bad happens, they say, O my God!

   I totally agree with Mark Dean, that religion is restrictive to creativity and spirituality increases it. Some religious creative people will not research certain subjects because beliefs and that limits their knowledge. I believe in praying my way through break throughs and higher enlightenment. I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ and prayer is the key and I believe in prayer.

CITATION;

The Holy Bible: The book of Matthew chapter 28 verses 19-20