q& a
the principles of our belief by looking
“Well, yeah, I’m not going to read that.”
and those that just don’t. I think that
Even if it is accessible to me now
comparative religion could create
cultural constructs. So, sometimes
through digitization, it’s just too long.
those kind of ties in those kinds of
what we believe is simply defined and
So how do I engage it? Do I engage
situations in which we can be closer
at similar principles of belief in other
formulated by the situation. There’s
it through a selection of specific
to a family of fellow believers. That
a nugget of truth within it, but we
parts of it? Or do I engage it as a
might be the safety that we need in
don’t really understand what that
whole through some sort of liturgical
order to perpetuate not only our own
nugget of truth is until we unpack it
engagement because I believe it to be
religious beliefs but the idea of the
from its cultural context and see it in
holy writ? Do I put it in some sort of
importance of religion in society in
a different context. We may believe in
ritual system? Then we have to start
general. Those are just a few.
prayer, but we don’t really understand
looking at what the actual, universal
what the absolute, essential principle
principles of scripture are and not just
Q: Do you have anything else you would like to remark on?
of prayer is until we look at prayer in
the ones that come out because of the
several different contexts.
characteristics of our current canon.
A: I would certainly like to mention
the book that we have coming out
24
You can say, “Oh well, you
Another benefit is that I really
know, the canon isn’t as important in
do think that it makes us just more
through Columbia University Press
Buddhism because people don’t study
generally and innately human, that
this year and say that that’s kind of
it the way that we may study our
we basically understand that people
the goal for the conference: publish-
standard works.” Then you have to
yearn for religion in possibly similar
ing these things in a reputable
ask yourself, “Well, do we really have
ways. Once we start looking at a soci-
university press. I always would want
a definition of scripture?” It could
ety of fellow believers, then we start
to give full credit and my thanks
be that not only do we have this one
to, in a more genuine way, appreci-
to the people that sponsored it. It
volume of scripture that includes the
ate the benefits that religion brings
wouldn’t be possible without Brent
four standard works, but we take our
to us in general and not just in our
Top, Bob Millet, Thom Wayment, the
understanding of living prophets to
own tradition. And that’s becoming
RSC, Alex Baugh, and we can go on
its natural conclusion and say, “Well,
more and more important. This year
and on. But these individuals take this
no. Really, Conference Reports from
a new report has come out that the
type of research seriously—not only
1840 all the way up to 2015—this
religious divide is no longer sectar-
take it seriously but are enthusiastic
is our canon, and it’s important for
ian. It’s between a group of fellow
about supporting it. They’re the real
people to know it.” Well, then we’d
believers that believe that religion is
story here.
have Latter-day Saints who’d say,
an essential part of life and of society
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