From Harvard’s Religious Literacy Project:
Understanding complex religious influences is a critical dimension of understanding modern human affairs. In spite of this awareness, there remains a widespread illiteracy about religion that spans the globe. There are many consequences of this illiteracy, but the most urgent is that it fuels conflict and antagonisms and hinders cooperative endeavors in all arenas of human experience.
In our multi-faith societies, it’s essential not only to understand our own faith traditions (or lack thereof) but also to grasp the traditions of others. Religion carries significant weight in many people’s lives, shaping individual and collective history, politics, and social dynamics through beliefs, practices, and traditions.
Unfortunately, widespread myths and factual inaccuracies about religious beliefs and texts often lead to misunderstandings and ignorance, fostering fear and prejudice.
Idea for Impact: Take the time to learn about different religions. It gives you a peek into people’s perspectives, values, and what drives them. Plus, it helps you recognize and deal with your own biases and stereotypes.
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