Religion

First, a small business item: Due to some past confusion in determing the dates of our meetings, we have decided to regularize our schedule for the rest of this year. From now through December, Cofound will be meeting on the first and third Sundays of the month, every month... with the possible exception of Labor Day weekend. On months with a fifth Sunday, we will either skip a week or plan something special. Please pass this information along to those who may be interested in our discussions who do not have e-mail.

Now, here's the update:

It was a small group that came out on Fathers' Day to discuss religion and its role in our private and public lives. Those in attendance spoke casually about our own current and past involvement in religious activities, which, as it turns out, amounted to little, at least in comparison to many Americans. We also compared notes on the role religion played in our upbringings, and to what extent our perspectives on religion varied (or didn't) with those of previous generations in our families.

While we found much to disagree with in the attitudes of some of those who are religious, we also expressed respect and appreciation for the role that religion can play in motivating people to help others. One member shared a colorful anecdote about a passionately religious man's recent attempt to convert her, and how the effort - though unsuccessful - had led to a suprising level of understanding and discovery of common ground between them. And we all agreed that religion clearly moves a number of good people to do good work in the world.

Left largely unexamined, however, was the extent to which religion had shaped - and continues to shape - the history of our nation and of the world. In a broad, historical sense, has religion been primarily a force for good or a force for evil in our world? Have religion and politics become too intertwined, or not intertwined enough? Join us as we examine these and other issues, this Sunday, July 2, at the City Cafe in Mid-City Mall.

Special Note: For our July 16^th meeting Clint is inviting everyone to his country bungalow for a cookout. For more details come to the July 2^nd meeting or just look for our next update.