Voices
Francis X. Clooney, S.J., is the Parkman Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, and a scholar of Hinduism and Hindu-Christian studies. He wrote for America’s In All Things column between 2007 and 2016. His latest book, The Future of Hindu-Christian Studies, has recently been published by Routledge.
In All Things
Cambridge MA One of the bonuses of blogging for America is to read the comments that ensue on any given issue Not that I agree with all such comments of course and it is ok that the flow of debate among commenters sometimes travels far from the original posted piece as if it were merely an occ
In All Things
Cambridge MA As readers of this blog know many of my reflections on religions and dialogue come out of my personal study and teaching Occasionally though as professor and now Director of the Center for the Study of World Religions I get involved in interreligious learning and dialogue of a gr
In All Things
Cambridge MA Readers of my blog not infrequently comment kindly that my reports are interesting and that the issues I raise as I raise them must surely ring true in an academic setting ndash but not in the wider community larger world where more down to earth direct dialogue is needed This
In All Things
Cambridge MA The following has been written for posting on a 9 11 remembrance board at Harvard Divinity School At Christmas 2000 I preached on the version of the birth of Jesus we find in the holy Qur rsquo an ldquo The new-born baby said lsquo Lo I am God rsquo s servant God has given m
In All Things
Cambridge MA In my last blog just two days ago I promised a follow-up in which I reflected further on ldquo the Hindu-Christian dialogue of the future rdquo which ldquo will be more comprehensive and engaging than any we have known up to now since we can no longer give without receiving rd
In All Things
Cambridge MA I have just returned from four weeks in India I love going to India have done so for nearly 40 years now and still always find Indians to be among the kindest and most gracious people on earth Visiting India is always a joy and it is hard to return to the USA after some weeks t
In All Things
Cambridge MA I am grateful to John Coleman for his recent ldquo A Code of Conduct for Conversion rdquo in which he calls to the attention of In All Things readers the recent ecumenical document ldquo Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World rdquo His excellent piece gives the history of
In All Things
Cambridge MA It is mid-summer mdash exactly half way between the end of the spring semester and the start of the fall semester ndash and so a precious quiet time in academe The Center for the Study of World Religions occupies several of my hours each day but here too there is a summer lull
In All Things
Cambridge MA It is quite common and has been for many centuries for Christians to comment on aspects of other religions comparing them often unfavorably with aspects of Christian tradition our God is better than theirs our spirituality deeper our history more humane Sometimes the compari
In All Things
Cambridge MA I am back in Cambridge ndash 30 degrees cooler than Chicago ndash and want to fulfill yesterday s promise to write a few words about the reason for my week in Hyde Park I was participating in a seminar on theologies of religious pluralism and comparative theology sponsored by the