Calling in Today's World: Multifaith Perspectives

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

9-29-2016

Abstract

What does a Buddhist think about calling? Does a Jew have a similar sense of vocation as a Christian? Do people besides Christians have a sense of calling? While most religious traditions do not share the same notion of calling as Christians, they do, in fact, have surprisingly similar concepts and practices.

In a new book, Calling in Today's World: Voices from Eight Faith Perspectives, experts representing Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Daoist, secular humanist, and Catholic and Protestant Christian traditions explore how callings are experienced and lived within their communities of faith. This ground-breaking volume offers key texts, stories, persons, concepts, and discernment practices that exemplify each tradition's view of vocation as well as how modern life poses both difficulties and opportunities for living out a sense of calling.

As the United States becomes more religiously diverse, members of faith communities meet every day in college classes, work places, neighborhoods, volunteer organizations, and efforts for social change. If people of faith want to live and work together for the common good, understanding each other's values and beliefs is imperative. Learning how others experience a sense of calling and live with meaning and purpose can enliven and deepen connections across communities.

The three panelists for this program - representing the Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions - are contributors to Calling in Today's World, and the moderator - a Christian - is one of the book's editors.

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