This winter, students of all faith traditions will have the opportunity to talk about issues of money and sexuality in the Bible.
United Campus Ministries, Hillel at Ohio University, and the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd are coming together this quarter at noon every Thursday in the Episcopal Church, 64 University Terrace, to present a 7-week workshop entitled Sex and Money in Judaism and Christianity.
The group will discuss sex and money in the context of the Scriptures that both faiths have in common.
UCM Campus Minister Evan Young said the program has grown out of last year's Living the Questions workshop that also met to talk about interfaith issues once a week at lunchtime. He said the interfaith discussion style is something UCM supports.
We're really interested in spaces and programs where people of different faith traditions can talk about what their faith tradition means to them
how it affects the way they live their lives Young said.
Young said that each session covers a different biblical story.
Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, executive director of Hillel at Ohio University, said the forum provides a place for students to discuss ideas.
Students are at a point in their lives where they're interested in a thoughtful examination of their religious traditions Leshaw said. Offering a sacred space to discuss Jewish and Christian ideas of sex and money can lead to a deeper exploration of past and emerging values.
Reverend Bill Carroll, of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, said he thinks it is valuable for different faiths to come together for a weekly conversation.
For me to read the Scriptures alongside Jewish brothers and sisters helps me to be a more faithful Christian
Carroll said.
He added that the group discusses the modern connotations of the readings. We're trying to see what it means to interpret these sacred texts and make them relevant and come alive today.
Carroll said that the workshop talks about issues of sexuality, including equality of the sexes and the definition of marriage, as well as how society makes decisions about money.
The two (subjects) actually come together because abuse of power becomes an issue in both domains
Carroll said.
He said the forum will cover other topics than just the Old Testament Scriptures.
We want to look at some Bible stories
we're also looking at some things in our traditions after the Bible was written
Carroll said.
Young said these issues are relevant to college students, and people of all faiths are welcome.
Just come with an open mind and a willingness to listen to other people's experiences and to share your own
Young said.
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