![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on December 19, 2004, at 13:42:36
It seems that a lot of the recent disturbances have at heart a lack of understanding of different traditions and cultures. If you look at things on the surface, it's easy to come to conclusions about the why's of it that aren't really accurate in terms of the perceptions of the people whose faith it is.
My son's school, instead of restricting religious expression, opens its doors to the expression and understanding of all religions. They have people come in and explain different customs and history.
Could we do the same thing here?
The Rabbi at the Orthodox community near here is really cool. He's computer savvy and he may be willing to come and explain customs that people might find unfamiliar. If not, the Rabbi at the local Conservative community is a friend of my pastor's. Perhaps I could ask him to ask the Rabbi if he would be willing.
I'd also love to have the leader of our local Hindu temple come and explain their customs and beliefs. Some of my husband's Hindu friends have explained Hinduism in such a way that I now can begin to grasp how rich and beautiful their religion is. For example, I hadn't realized that many Hindus consider themselves to be monotheistic. That the different gods and goddesses are manifestations of the one supreme god, not unlike the manifestations of God as understood in trinitarian Christianity.
I'm not sure if I have the time right now, but maybe in the new year if you have no objections?
Or maybe you have guest experts you could invite?
Posted by Toph on December 19, 2004, at 15:49:51
In reply to Dr. Bob. Guest experts?, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2004, at 13:42:36
I support anything that would promote diversity and tolerance. I hope that the content of any didactic religious presentation would include the psychological benefits of faith, after all isn't that why this board exists on PB?
-Toph
Posted by Dinah on December 19, 2004, at 16:07:59
In reply to Re: Guest experts » Dinah, posted by Toph on December 19, 2004, at 15:49:51
I have no earthly idea why this board exists.
I strongly suspect that Dr. Bob wished to cleanse the other boards of religion by having a place to shunt it off to. But I could be overly cynical. At any rate, once he began the board, he seemed to support its existence beyond that purpose.
My idea wouldn't be lectures per se, but rather people asking questions about customs or beliefs rather than making assumptions. An ask the expert sort of thing. Since lately questions about Judaism especially have come up regarding separation of sexes in services or cleanliness rituals or the reason for Jewish law in general. I'm sure there is similar confusion about Muslim, Hindu, etc. practices. I always figure it's better to ask the source. Well, not the source I suppose, but you know what I mean.
I always figure it's better to ask "Why on earth do you..." than just think "Boy, ... sure is (insert adjective here)." And there aren't many opportunities to do that.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 19, 2004, at 19:22:25
In reply to Dr. Bob. Guest experts?, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2004, at 13:42:36
> They have people come in and explain different customs and history.
>
> Could we do the same thing here?
>
> I'm not sure if I have the time right now, but maybe in the new year if you have no objections?Sure, that's a great idea, thanks!
Bob
Posted by NikkiT2 on December 24, 2004, at 9:55:00
In reply to Re: Guest experts » Toph, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2004, at 16:07:59
Dinah,
This is a really wonderful suggestion *s* I would love to be able to talk to people of many different faiths, and be able to question them on it.
Great idea.. unfortunately the only person I know who I could ask is also a Rabbi, and that area is covered!! *G* But I may speak to her anyway, as she is an incredibly remarkable woman who is a hge inspiration to me and many many others.
I would be especially interested in Hinduism and Islam.
Thanks for the suggestion
Nikki
Posted by Dinah on December 24, 2004, at 12:22:24
In reply to Re: Guest experts » Dinah, posted by NikkiT2 on December 24, 2004, at 9:55:00
It rather belatedly occurred to me that asking someone locally might be a tad too revealing since Dr. Bob will probably disclose who they are and where they are located. What? Paranoid? Me? lol.
But I'm still going to see what I can do about tracking someone down, and if you can as well, that'd be great.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 25, 2004, at 12:36:33
In reply to Re: Guest experts » NikkiT2, posted by Dinah on December 24, 2004, at 12:22:24
> It rather belatedly occurred to me that asking someone locally might be a tad too revealing since Dr. Bob will probably disclose who they are and where they are located.
Hmm, I don't know about location per se, but I do think people should know who an expert is, and searching for their name might lead to their location...
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.