PRACTICING FAITH: NEGOTIATING IDENTITY AND DIFFERENCE IN A RELIGIOUSLY PLURALISTIC WORLD

Abstract

The concept of “practice” has become a central category of social analysis across a variety of disciplines. While religious educators have begun to recognize the critical role of practices in faith formation, less attention has been given to their role in education for responsible religious pluralism. Based on conversations between Catholic and Jewish educators, this article argues, first, that educating for authentic religious identity and for responsible pluralism are intrinsically related, not antagonistic or mutually exclusive concerns. Second, it argues that “practices” as rooted in and expressive of particular religious traditions are not only critical to nurturing and sustaining particular religious identities, but that as expressions of shared human goods, they also function as a meeting ground for participants from different traditions to explore the “boundaries” that differentiate as well as the “bonds” that connect us in relationship with one another.

Notes

¹ Woocher's comments were made at a meeting of the Colloquium of Jewish and Christian Educators in which the author participated, New York, May 2, 1999.

² In addition to Bass and Dykstra, the team included Amy Plantinga Pauw, L. Gregory Jones, M. Shawn Copeland, Thomas Hoyt Jr., John Koenig, Sharon Daloz Parks, Stephanie Paulsell, Ana Maria Pineda, Larry Rasmussen, Frank Rogers Jr., and Don E. Saliers.