George Mason University religious studies professors Randi Rashkover and Maria Dakake recently attended a scriptural reasoning symposium at Cambridge University in England.
The June symposium "Scriptural Reasoning in the University" is one that grouped prestigious professors and others from around the world to investigate "the relevancy of ancient texts such as the Bible and the Qur'an for modern life and how to deal with those critically, intellectually, rationally, but not dismissively or disparagingly," says John Burns, summer chair of Mason's Religious Studies department.
Rashkover and Dakake joined a group of Islamic, Jewish and Christian scholars that have studied together for many years, exploring these religious texts.
"A particular methodology of studying together which values the willingness to permit one's own texts to be read alongside others whose sacred texts are different has developed called 'scriptural reasoning,'" said Rashkover. "Scriptural reasoning has the practical benefits of forging close working relationships between participants and a deep appreciation for the value of the texts of different traditions."
Scriptural Reasoning is defined as a practice that builds sociality among its practitioners and releases sources of reason, compassion and divine spirit for healing our separate communities and for repair of the world, according to Steven Kepnes, a leading Jewish philosopher.
Rashkover sees ways that the practice can influence conflict resolution.
"George Mason prides itself on developing new theories and practices in global conflict resolution," said Rashkover. "The notion that religious traditions play a crucial role in contributing to these strategies is frequently neglected. Scriptural Reasoning taps into the textual and rational resources of the three Abrahamic traditions to foster a unique strategy for conflict resolution premised upon the mutual respect and engagement with the central and sacred texts of the three traditions."
July 20, 2009
