So this is a venting session on the inept and egotistical nature of graduate study. Here I am the quasi-happy suburban minister interested in graduate study. Yes, the curiosity bug has bitten. I have been very intrigued by a program at a school in our nations capital because they state that they are a Ph.D in religious pluralism. A unique, to say the least, opportnity of study. Yet here is the catch. They are a young program and, barely self-admitted, lack faculty in judaism. It is, for the most part, a program on christian/islam relations. And that, my dear non-existent readers, is why I am frustrated. I am intrigued by the continual failure of jewish and christian communities to engage in dialogue between themselves, dialogue that then allows an understanding of islam. See, the good old usa has long been in bed with Israel and has adopted the problems that come with the support of such. Yet the christians and jews have not honestly talked about their differences. No, instead they wrap their hands around a common target related to fiscal or political goals. The westernization of christianity and judaism has been adopted without question, leaving academia to skip over it. Right now the money is in arabic and islam. That is where the jobs are. That is where religious growth is existing. But how, oh how, do we even begin a pluralist dialogue when the imperial team of jewry and christians are on the sideline already holding hands? That puts islam as the other team. and if I recall correctly, all three are abrahamic traditions. hmmm. the academy has again screwed up. Why can’t they stop following the money and engaging in theoretical masturbation? seriously. If I had a penny for every time….
November 28, 2007...1:20 pm
Grrrr.
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