How Christianity Became Cool Again
 Rev. Paul Raushenbush, Senior Editor of Religion for Huffington Post, reflects on the recent popularity spike in mainstream Christianity. Loving more, acting socially productive, and reclaiming the Jesus-like core of the religion are moves swinging the pendulum away from the staunchly conservative reputation of Christianity in America, revitalizing the contemporary Christian diaspora, and revolutionizing its public image.
Hallelujah! 2013 may be the year that it became cool again to be a Christian. Given the last several decades of political domination of Christianity by a coalition that described themselves as 'the religious right', it is hard to remember that there was a time in the 20th century when Christians were cool and spoke with a powerful, prophetic voice to the major issues of our day.
There was a time when Christians like Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Berrigan brothers, Thomas Merton, Paul Tillich, Dorothy Day, Henri Nouwen, Howard Thurman, Reinhold Niebuhr and John XXIII offered the basic framework for what Christianity meant to the world. Collectively, these men and women offered some of the most philosophically deep and socially relevant thought of any kind. They inspired a generation of young people to work in racial reconciliation, environmentalism, economic justice, and anti-war activism. They fed the spirit, while also walking in Jesus' way of justice and peace.
In those days you could say you were a Christian and the above names might come to the mind of the listener -- and they were cool; meaning relevant, compelling, edgy, and forward thinking. Sadly, that has not been true in recent history. And it has infected the American psyche so much so that when a stranger tells even me, a Christian pastor, that they are a Christian it puts me on edge. Imagine what it must do to a person of another faith or someone who don't subscribe to any religion. Read more...
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Register Now Parliament Webinar on "Viral Hate" August 7
When a comment becomes dangerous, Interfaith activists must respond. The power of the social internet is feeding a new kind of potentially fatal disease. From behind screens, social media users are becoming complacent to hate-borne comments. Presenter Christopher Wolf explores in his new book Viral Hate, that "words of hate can easily turn into acts of hate" Read more... |
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Cape Town's 'Interfaith Guru' Fr. John Oliver Remembered
The Parliament of the World's Religions shares a heartfelt reflection on the sudden July 4 passing of one of Interfaith's greatest. South Africa's Father John Oliver, who founded the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, championed the 1999 Parliament and brought the Charter for Compassion to his city was among the only white religious leaders to challenge apartheid. Read more... |
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OAK CREEK, WI SIKHS ONE YEAR LATER
Online Organizing Promotes Interfaith Action
 Tell the U.N. on what top six global issues your family wants them to focus for their newest millennial goals!
Sign the Save the Dream 9 Petition to Join the Interfaith movement to release 9 of America's undocumented young adults imprisoned for intentional border crossing and pushing for immediate solutions for immigration reform!
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Elijah Institute Debuts Mystic Resource Site
The Elijah Interfaith Institute presents the Guerrand-Hermès Forum of Interreligious Study of the Mystical and Spiritual Life. Mysticism-Elijah.Org connects scholars and seekers to a wide-range of courses, to peruse a multilingual bank of texts, essays, and probe discussion on the mystic dimensions of six major faith traditions. CPWR Trustee Anant Rambachan, who serves on the Elijah Institute's team of scholars, says. Read more... |
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Save the Date
CPWR Anniversary
CPWR invites all friends old and new to a Chicago benefit Nov. 16 celebrating our anniversary of 20 years, commemorating 120 years since the 1893 Parliament, and supporting the future of the movement. A 4 p.m. program will launch festivities with interfaith benefit dinner at 6 p.m. to follow. Please contact molly [at] parliamentofreligions.org to learn more! |
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Latest from
State of Formation
Voices of Emerging Leaders
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When you give to the Parliament...
You can now have your gift to support our year-long Faiths Against Hate campaign matched by a generous donor to the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions!
As hate is rising in our nation, it is critical that the forces of faith mediate anger and promote the positive energy of relationships. We must build a stronger interfaith movement for the future of our children and the planet.
Help us mediate the elements of fear and anger into peace, love, and interreligious harmony and have your gift matched dollar for dollar.
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