A religious season, of sorts; the Connecticut Forum; and a different twist on listening and reading

Posted By: David Fortier March 26, 2023

By David Fortier

Come Sunday morning, Ramadan will have begun, that was on Wednesday, March 22, and ends with Eid al-Fitr, a major holiday in the Muslim tradition on April 20. Between now and then, practicing Muslims will fast from sunup to sundown.  

During the month-long fast, I try to keep this in mind, as many students in the high school will be honoring this tradition as well as many others who are out and about living their lives–and most will not say a word, either to make excuses or to make it appear that this is anything out of the ordinary. 

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And, of course, from April 5 to April 13, those of the Jewish faith tradition will celebrate Passover. And those in my own tradition, Christian, specifically, Catholic Christian, are in Lent and approaching Psalm Sunday and Easter Sunday, April 2 and April 9, respectively.

Christians, for which there are many denominations, have different approaches to the Easter celebration. For me, it is a meatless fast of Fridays and Mass attendance on Sundays, centering prayer, journaling and taking time to read/listen to religious material. 

I think it is important to have some grounding in a faith tradition, even if it means discomfort with the tradition. Being raised in a liberal democracy (that is a definition of our political system–liberal democracy being defined as one where individuals have rights and freedoms, protected by the government, and the government operates by the rule of law), it is difficult not to question authority.

That questioning is part of the American DNA, isn’t it? In the face of the sex abuse scandal facing the Catholic Church, what is more natural than to ask, how is it that this could happen? A second question following on the heels of that is, how is it possible to remain Catholic in the wake of such a scandal? 

The answers might come from anywhere. For me, one of the places to look is the Center for Action and Contemplation, founded by Franciscan Richard Rohr.  

Specifically, and surprisingly, I have turned to a CAC-sponsored podcast featuring Brain McLaren, who has written a book, “Do I Stay Christian?” that intrigues me (but one I haven’t picked up, turning to the podcast instead). McLaren is not a Catholic but part of something called the emerging church movement. 

This week I listened to an episode of his “Learning How to See” podcast, entitled, “Re-Wild (featuring Todd Wynward).” It brings up a bunch of issues that face Christians today and provides an interesting take on belief and action. For the podcast, click here. 

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Three TBEers will have attended last week’s Connecticut Forum, “Misinformation and Finding the Truth,” featuring Stephen Hayes of The Dispatch, Brooke Gladstone of On the Media and Ronan Farrow, who covered the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal for the New Yorker. John Dankoski, executive editor of the New England News Collaborative. 

In our attempt to refashion local news coverage, TBE tries to keep informed and learn from the experience of others. This conversation at the Bushnell—if you haven’t attended a CT Forum event, it’s akin to eavesdropping on a captivating discussion—brought up the importance of good quality local journalism as an antidote to some of the cracks in our society that drive us apart. 

So, we took notes and will be attending to some of the suggestions over the coming year. 

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Reading and listening, aside from “Learning How to See”: Deconstructed’s “Understanding the Silicon Valley Bank Run.” Click here. 

For reading, I am still making my way through Ernest Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and as I might have said a few times already, it is a nice surprise. Hemingway, an old white guy, provides some keen insights into the human condition in times of war. He makes some interesting social commentary, too. 

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Have a good week!

“Come Sunday morning” is intended to be a weekly review, a recounting of the past week and an anticipation of week to come. Among its features will be reviews of old and new books, sharing of favorite podcasts, some family news, Bristol events and happenings and issues surrounding education, work and community journalism. He can be reached at dfortier@bristoledition.org. 

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