PolyRel: your faith, your life, your thoughts
An intriguing part of discourse and opinion is the background from which it comes. Often times when a view is expressed it is coming from the faith or religious experience of the speaker. Sometimes the speaker let’s the reader know that the opinion being expressed is from the perspective of their faith and at other times it is hidden.
It’s OK to talk about it
For my part, I love reading commentary from people who are overtly writing from their faith perspective, or lack of it. This gives me insight into how other cultures view local and world events. Even though we have free speech in America, there is still reluctance on the part of writers to openly color their comments with the tenets of their faith.
PolyRel
Consequently, I decided to start a website and blog dedicated to people writing about world affairs from their faith perspective. PolyRel (Poly for many, Rel for religion, is, I hope, the intersection of politics, science and current events viewed through the lens of faith. The structure is somewhat loose because I would like the contributors to have a hand in shaping the overall form of the website.
From the pews, not necessarily the pulpit
PolyRel is not an outlet for scholarly dissertations on the existential nature of some religious aspect of living in the modern world, although, I wouldn’t turn down such a post. The focus of PolyRel is to provide a forum for the everyday person to express their reactions to world events as shaped by their faith. We may not like the posts of people who have an opposing opinion, but they are no less valid than the ones we hold.
Learning about what makes your neighbor tick
Diversity of opinion and religion, it’s here to stay.
I am convinced that until we start a dialog about the multitude of religions and how it shapes our actions, we will forever be mired in tribal warfare literally and figuratively. I need to know how the Sikhs view conflicts in my own backyard and internationally. There are nuggets of wisdom and common ground, as yet unknown, between different religious groups.
While the posts and essays from ordained religious leaders would never be dismissed, it is my hope that PolyRel will be populated by blog posts from the millions of lay adherents to the variety of religions in the world. I want to hear from those folks who practice their faith while raising a family, working, running a business or trying to survive amidst religious persecution. When we put a face or voice on a religious perspective, that is probably our neighbor, we gain greater understanding and respect for that person’s position.
Share your thoughts and faith
If you would like to write something for PolyRel, go to the Guidelines and Submission section of the website to learn more. It can be about anything that sparks that passion inside of you; from the price of gasoline to the civil war in Syria. Your faith is a huge part of your life, it shapes your perspective and actions, share it.