Embracing solidarity in our secular age | Interview with Rowan Williams
Apr 17, 2024
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Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, discusses the role of religion in a secularized world, climate activism, and interfaith relations. He shares insights on leadership, writing, and the importance of solidarity in contemporary society.
Rituals provide stability and comfort in navigating life events, even in a less religious society.
Churches offer community support and interfaith unity during societal challenges and important life moments.
Deep dives
The Importance of Traditional Practices and Rituals in Society
Traditional practices and rituals provide individuals with a framework to navigate significant life experiences like celebrations, losses, and trauma. These rituals offer a sense of stability and comfort by providing a structure for dealing with emotions and events. Even in a less religious society, people tend to create or revive rituals as a way to anchor themselves. The existence of rituals, both traditional and newly invented, serves the fundamental human need for stability and belonging.
The Role of the Church in Preserving Traditional Values and Practices
While society may be less religious, some individuals still find value in belonging to a church for important life moments. The church can offer a sense of community and provide structures for individuals to navigate significant experiences. In communities facing challenges like societal unrest or tragedies such as Grenfell, the church plays a role in offering support and a larger frame of reference. Interfaith relations have also been fruitful, fostering cooperation and unity among different religious institutions.
Engagement with Social Issues like Climate Change and Personal Evolvement
The former Archbishop discusses his public involvement with Extinction Rebellion and climate change, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental crises. While supportive of raising awareness, he navigates the balance between impactful activism and potentially alienating tactics. Transitioning from various roles, including Archbishop and college master, he reflects on the challenges of leadership, consensus-building, and adapting to different environments. Currently involved in research and pastoral work, he aims to explore topics like Christian social ethics, solidarity, and theological frontiers in his upcoming projects.
What role can religion play in our contemporary secularised lives? Why do many (of us) still feel the need for it today?
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Join former Archbishop of Canterbury, theologian, and poet Rowan Williams in a deep-dive interview into his professional and theological trajectory. He reflects on what he's learned, including the challenges of being in the spotlight, why he engaged in climate activism, and how to work in communities across faiths. Perhaps religion, and Christianity specifically, can help us more easily embrace solidarity.
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