Spirituality, Religion and Activism: What's the Connection?
by Britt Bravo

"No matter how many projects and campaigns and initiatives and alliances we set in motion, we won't find fundamental solutions to societal ills until we learn how to approach this work with greater awareness, compassion, and humility."
- Seasons Fund for Social Transformation

Lately I've noticed a small, but steady stream of mentions about the connection between spirituality, religion, and activism.

In May 2008, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that six groups (Fetzer Institute, Ford Foundation, Hidden Leaf Foundation, Jewish Funds for Justice, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Seeds of Justice Foundation) had formed the Seasons Fund for Social Transformation. In December 2007, the Fund awarded grants to 15 organizations that, "represent pioneering efforts to integrate personal and social transformation throughout their organizations and movements."

One of the grant recipients, The Movement Strategy Center, is studying the impact of spiritual practice on social justice leaders, organizations and the progressive movement as part of its Spirit in Motion program. Another recipient, the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, published a resource manual for social justice activists, The Activist's Ally: Contemplative Tools for Social Change.

In spring 2008 the Stanford Innovation Review article, "Praise the Lord, but Dim the Lights," featured the Regeneration Project's Interfaith Power and Light Campaign. The Interfaith Power and Light campaign is, "mobilizing a national religious response to global warming while promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation." You can download a copy of the article on the Regeneration Project site.

Most recently, this month the International Museum of Women's exhibition, "Women, Power and Politics" is examining the question, "What does religion have to do with it?":

"Throughout history, religion has had a lot to do with women's personal and political lives. Religious women make change happen, whether seeking peace or inciting war. Belief can inspire social justice, or block a woman's access to freedom or equality. Join us this month as we explore how faith makes or breaks political women around the world."

I'm hoping that these examples are signs that people's beliefs about spirituality and religion will slowly make their way back from the extremes to an integrated and middle way that recognizes, like the Global Oneness Project, we are all connected.

Contributing Editor, Britt Bravo, also blogs at Have Fun * Do Good, and NetSquared

Submitted by Britt Bravo (view blog) on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 18:49

Comments

 

There was a story recently...

in the Boston Globe on how there has been a decided shift in the Boston area in the leadership of area synagogues. Those I've talked to suggest this trancends many faiths (leaving out my original, Catholicism, where the Pope is unhappy with the Church of England sanctioning ordaining women.) 

I do think it plays a role in ways large and small. Over the last decade, we've seen religion most often portrayed as something polarising, of the right... but what about everyone else? Yanno, those who aren't on tv preaching?

My spirituality was private for 4 decades, going underground as I left Catholicism but remained Christian... but over the last five years, I've left Christianity and become far more public and willing to share. I'm also changed a good deal over that time in many other ways...

I'm not as militant about news now, in fact while I love NPR and it would remain my first source for news, most often I avoide news like the plague, preferring to keep my head in a good place, a kinder place, where maybe I can build bridges and impact in little ways, forming personal alliances that might have been viewed as unthinkable not to awfully long ago.

Women overall do have a bit of a different perspective on society, and on our governance. Not one of polar opposites, but one of degree, and polls clearly reflect this. In our own way, reflecting the differences, our greater participation will lead to some changes in society. It is inevitable - if current trends hold.  

 

nelle

Submitted by nelle2nelle on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 16:45
 

Religion

Well, Britt, I think what you are seeing is not a change entirely in religious communities, because they have always been more than the sum of their conservative Christian evangelical elements, but a reassertion by the traditionalists, centrists and liberals that more than one group has the right to the term "Christian".

Groups like The World Council of Churches have been engaged in what you describe since the late 1940's. The WCC is a fellowship of churches, now 349 in more than 110 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions.

Other groups of note, some old, some new -- are:
The Institute for Progressive Christianity

Rabbi Lerner of Tikkun Magazine has founded the interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives

Sojourners Magazine the well known publication of Christian Biblically based social activism.

The Shalom Center begun by Rabbi Arthur Waskow.

I could go on and on...

At a conference two summers ago for faith based politically progressive bloggers, those of us assembled who were Christian all shared a passionate concern that the image of who was a Christian had been hijacked by the radical right. We all expressed our concern over needing to be a more visible presence, and our concern that many of our fellow-progressives seemed almost religio-phobic.I thank you for presenting a glimpse of what is being done by spiritual communities -- and there is so much more.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Submitted by Mata H on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 07:15
 

ultimately, spirituality is about connection

even though often people envision 'spiritual' people as going off and meditating somewhere and tuning out the world, it actually puts you more in touch with other people and with life itself. so it's only natural that once people become spiritual, they become more compassionate towards others as an extension of themselves.

Submitted by bexband on Sun, 09/21/2008 - 23:48
 

Seane Corn interview

I completely agree with you bexband.  I just listened to a great interview with yoga teacher and activist Seane Corn on the Speaking of Faith podcast that illustrates your point.

Submitted by Britt Bravo on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 10:36
BlogHer

© Copyright 2008 BlogHer | Terms of Service