Exploring women and religion

WOMEN'S experience and feminist theology has asked deep and difficult questions about the role of women within and across all of the world's religions.

Should traditions, practices and scriptures be reconsidered and re-valued from the female perspective? Should male-dominated imagery and language about God still determine women’s place among their fellow believers? How can this happen in a way that does justice to religious belief and tradition?

These and other important questions will be discussed this morning by the Rev Fiona Bennett from the United Reformed Church; Dr Lesley Orr from the University of Edinburgh; and Ravinder Kaur Nijaar from the Religions for Peace European Women's Network.

Together they will consider a redefined role for women in relation to religion and belief.

Tuesday 21 August, 12.30pm - 1.30pm, St. Cuthbert’s Church off Lothian Road (Venue 122), Lindisfarne Room. This event is FREE.

Wisdom from different traditions

WHILE it is a Christian church which has played a catalytic role in its development, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace 2012 is a platform for serious exchange and listening between and across belief traditions.

Contributions to the launch event of Sunday 5th August included music, reflection and prayer from people of Jewish, Baha'i, Doaist, Muslim, Christian and secular backgrounds.

"Prejudice is the same whatever its clothing," one participant observed. The aim of the rich mix of conversation, music, culture, workshops, food and hospitality that constitutes the Festival is all about combating division in human communities and promoting collaboration. (Picture: Daniel Cainer, Jewish Chronicles).

Dances of Universal Peace

DANCES of Universal Peace are part of a timeless tradition of bringing people together through sacred movement, song and story. Joyful, multicultural and spiritual, they will be at St John's starting tomorrow.

A form of moving meditation/ body prayer, Dances of Universal Peace use voice, chanting and simple movements inspired by the wisdom of the many spiritual traditions of humankind to bring peace, joy and unity.

There are no performers or audiences; beginners and experienced dancers form the circle together. Get in touch with the spiritual essence within yourself and others. All are warmly welcomed!

Monday 6, 13 and 20 August, 11am-12pm, in the Chapel at St John's (Venue 127). Free ticketed by donation. Reserve tickets here or at the venue box office.

Jewish Chronicles chronicled

DANIEL Cainer unites Gentile and Jew through his honest, touching, amusing and musical style of storytelling, it has been said. 

His show starts this afternoon (3rd August, 2pm) and runs for another four days through to Tuesday 7 August 2pm - 3pm in the Church at St John’s (Venue 127). 

Jewish Chronicles has already featured, appropriately enough, in The Jewish Chronicle. Here Daniel writes of My Olympic moment - at the Edinburgh Festival: "So the athletes think they’ve got it tough. One comedian looks forward to what is, for him, the ultimate test at the world's biggest arts festival."

Examining the Arab revolutions

AS IMAGES of the fast-changing situations in Libya and Syria continue to flash across our television and computer screens, what is going on undereath the surface?  

Moreover, what is the 'Arab Spring' all about?  Can largely non-violent revolt succeed in the face of armed dictatorship?

These and other urgent questions will be explored in major sessions at the 2011 Festival of Spirituality and Peace in Edinburgh this weekend. Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf from New York is among the prominent speakers taking part. The full Festival programme is here.

Walking in the light of peace

THE opening event and service for the 2011 Festival of Peace and Spirituality has begun this evening with some stirring choral music from South Africa and other parts of the world - reflecting the truly international flavour of the 6-29 August events it hosts.

Siyahamba is a South African hymn that became popular in churches across the globe in the wake of the struggle against apartheid in the 1980s. The title means "We Are Marching" or "We are Walking" in the Zulu language, and the key words are "We are marching in the light of God."

The chair of the Festival, the Very Rev Dr John Armes pointed out that as well as reaching the eleventh year of the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, this year's programme anticipates the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Standing alongside the victims of violence and inhumanity, people of all faiths and none are being encouragedto seek alternatives to a world of conflict and injustice, he said.

Among the special guests present were the Japanese and Norwegian consuls - whose countries have witnessed disaster and horror recently. A book of condolences for the families and friends of the victims of the Norway shootings is available for signing at St John's Church.