Friday, April 4, 2008

An Evening with Krista Tippett

Last night I attended a "Community Conversation with Krista Tippett". Krista Tippett is the host and producer of the program: "Speaking of Faith", a weekly series on NPR devoted to faith and talking about religion in our lives (both publicly and privately).

I was able to hear several interviews on iTunes before attending last night's gathering. Part of an interview with Shane Claiborne. An interview with Jaroslav Pelikan about the need for Creeds. I have enjoyed this program immensely, as I haven't found anything else like it on television or radio.

Last night's community conversation's format included a 30-40 minute speech by Krista Tippett followed by a question and answer period.

As a Christian, I have more familiarity with some of her references to Christian theologians, thinkers, topics, and pastors. She referenced Jean Vanier, Greg Boyd, Miroslav Volf, the New Monastics, reuniting mind and body, rituals, the children of many faith traditions becoming more orthodox than their parents, sustainability, skepticism of institutions, and the re-emerging of mystics and meditation in many faith traditions.

Maybe its being part of a post-modern generation in the US, but the reference to so many topics that are being talked about and referenced gave me hope for thoughtful discussions about religion on a national scale. Not sound bites of a co-opted Christianity, (most recently by the Religious Right), but an engaging and thought-provoking discussion of religion.

I loved the talk and the question and answer period. The talk was sponsored by a local church, the Interfaith Alliance, and the local NPR station.

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