Positionality Statement: As someone who is not religious, I acknowledge that my worldview is shaped by secular humanism and rationalism. I recognise that this may influence the way I approach research topics and questions, and that it may limit my understanding of certain cultural or religious practices.
‘Religion in Britain: Challenges for Higher Education.’ Stimulus paper (Modood & Calhoun, 2015) I read the latter part of the text “Paper 2: Religion, the public sphere and higher education”, which examines various challenges related to religion in British society and higher education. The government’s approach to extremism primarily centres around Islam, leading to concerns regarding freedom of speech and academic freedom. This text explores the intersection between religion, gender and sexuality by noting that religious beliefs can impact attitudes about these issues. From the text I agree that universities’ roles should be encouraging integration and cross-cultural activities while taking into account minority group cohesion and identity issues. I believe a big part of this is actively staying up to date of current international affairs events/conflicts. The text really emphasises our role and responsibility in fostering social justice, interfaith harmony, and public knowledge of religion.
The paper also proposes that universities actively foster public engagement with religion, encourage interfaith dialogue and foster integrative academic communities. It explains that universities play a pivotal role in combatting societal segregation by providing opportunities for cross-cultural interactions and learning experiences – although I think in practice this can be difficult, as students (especially if they are new to the UK) find comfort in being around students of similar cultural backgrounds. This aspect in the paper offers a lot in terms of applying the resource to my teaching practice, one simple way could be: to actively encourage and celebrate different religious/cultural holidays in the classroom, as many holidays in the UK are rooted in Christianity. This would offer a great opportunity for interfaith dialogue for the students.
Kwame Anthony Appiah’s lecture “Creed” offers several insights and ideas regarding inclusive practices within pedagogy.
Appiah emphasises the significance of understanding and respecting various creeds, whether religious or secular. His argument suggests that creeds are dynamic moral frameworks which shape both individual and collective identities, therefore we need to acknowledge and honour diversity among the student body, creating an atmosphere of inclusion. Appiah stresses the need for respectful dialogue and mutual understanding across different creeds. In terms of my teaching practice, this could mean creating an environment in which students feel safe expressing their beliefs freely while participating in meaningful discussions about them.
Appiah’s lecture also emphasises the significance of finding common ground and shared values among various religions and creeds, in pedagogy this could mean highlighting universal human values that transcend specific creeds. By focusing on commonalities rather than differences educators can foster inclusive practices that celebrate diversity while building sense of unity and belonging among their student populations.
As an educator I would follow Appiah’s example in creating inclusive learning environments which embrace students’ diverse identities and perspectives. However, I do also understand that it must be approached with sensitivity and there are many facets of faith which are complex and nuanced, therefore I believe that I should always keep an open mind and engage in ongoing learning rooted in the student experience.
Shades of Noir: Interview with William Whitcombe
As I have little knowledge on religion and faith, I decided to read the interview with the Chaplain & Interfaith Advisor for LCC and LCF. I thought this would help gain a deeper understanding of the services that are available to my students. To summarise the Chaplain’s primary responsibility lies with providing pastoral/spiritual care for students, staff and families of the university. These services support individuals of diverse religious, atheist, or unaligning ideologies. The Chaplain also examines the place of religion in modern-day society and politics, defining religious extremism as “a belief in having a complete monopoly on the truth and resorting to any means necessary to assert that view.”
The most striking part of this interview for me, is when the Chaplain is asked to explain the distinction between religion, faith, spirituality, and belief using an analogy involving a desert road where religion serves as a bus carrying people along faith and belief journeys, The Chaplain then goes onto say “They have moments on that road in the desert when their vision is somehow extended, and they see so much more in and around them than they did just a few moments before. This is the spiritual side that I believe exists in all of us.” This was such a poetic moment and I agree that spirituality exists in everyone, it just manifests itself in different ways. As someone that is not religious, I now aknowledge that this fact does not prevent me from participating in my own spiritual journey. Therefore as educators we should be nurturing students with an open mind and compassion, recognising that everyone’s spiritual journey is theres’ to own.
Bibliography:
Appiah, K.A. (2016) ‘Creed’, Kwame Anthony Appiah – Mistaken Identities. The Reith Lectures, 30 May. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07z43ds (Accessed: 25 May 2023).
Modood, T. and Calhoun, C. (2015) Religion in Britian: Challenges for Higher Education. London: Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
Whitcombe, W. (2017) ‘Interview with William Whitcombe’, Higher Power: Religion, Faith, Spirituality & Belief, pp. 46–49. Available at: https://shadesofnoir.org.uk/journals/higher-power-religion-faith-spirituality-belief/ (Accessed: 25 May 2023).
I loved the part about spirituality exists in everyone. As a person of faith myself I definatly believe this. I agree that as educators we should be nurturing students with an open mind and compassion. Having a belief for me provides a form of hope and somehting to work towards in terms of a relationship with who I would call the creator. As there are many types of faiths, beliefs and religion. Choosing and taking your spiritual journey that makes a person happy will be important to the indervidual.
I really enjoyed this piece of writing and thought it was incredibly helpful how you led with a short positionality statement at the very beginning.
You made a great point around the need to stay up to date, as some of the social constructs within which we move constantly change.
When you talk about (public) engagement I started to wonder how this aligns with UAL’s social purpose ambitions, but also our actual practices (and policies).
I could definitely see how focusing on things that unite us and transcend specific forms of religion or faith could lead to really positive interactions within our different communities – building a sense of belonging and community. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this!
Your reflections on positionality and its impact on how we approach our work, as well as the engagement with complex issues of religion and inclusivity in higher education, are thought-provoking.
You reveal a profound commitment to understanding the complex intersection of religion and education and to creating an inclusive environment in your teaching practice. Your acknowledgement of the need for sensitivity, openness, and ongoing learning in this process is a powerful testament to your dedication as an educator.
Thank you Tonicha for your honesty in sharing your thoughts. It has been interesting for me to read your non religious perspective and how you are nurturing students and providing them a safe space. During my years living in the Middle East I was working in an international environment where we used to celebrate all different religious festivities. Same as you are suggesting in your post. I would encourage you to do it as it helps to create a space of respect, learning and inclusion.
I will definitely read the Interview with William Whitcombe , SoN. I am curious to know more. Thank you for sharing.