By Matters India Reporter

Bengaluru, Aug 13, 2023: The first meeting of Christian institutes of higher education — religious and secular — has stressed highlighting the positive aspects of religions to foster communal harmony and peace in India.

This is necessary in a country like India, which, though secular in fabric, embraces all religions culturally and traditionally, concluded the August 7-8 seminar on “Religion and Society in India: Contemporary Multidisciplinary Explorations.”

About 165 scholars, experts, heads of institutions, authors, thinkers, research scholars and students attended the event at the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC) in Bengaluru, southern India.

The program was jointly organized by ten different higher educational and research institutions seeking to discover the meaning of religion and society and to explore contemporary relevance, adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, said Nysson Luka, the program coordinator at NBCLC.

Inauguration of the seminar on Religion and Society in India by Carmelite of Mary Immaculate Father C C Joseph, the vice chancellor of Christ University Bengaluru.
The participating institutes were Christ University, St. Joseph’s University, Sampurna Montfort College, United Theological College, Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Kristu Jyoti College, St. Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, and St. Joseph’s College of Commerce.

“This conglomeration is a first of its kind that brought together institutes of higher education, both religious and secular, seminaries, theological colleges and centers,” Luka explained.

The seminar aimed to promote religious harmony, study the prospects and challenges from multiple perspectives, and open new vistas of learning in the present context of the nation, he added.

Speakers included noted Asian theologian Father Felix Wilfred, who addressed the topic, “Relating Cultures and Religions-Some Salient Perspectives.”

Another speaker, Ruby Sain, Emeritus professor in the Department of Sociology at Adamas University, spoke on “Study of Religion and Society in India: Status, Prospects and Challenges.”

Madras University professor V D Swaminathan addressed “Religion and Psychology: Exploring the Interface,” while Y T Vinayraj, director of the Bengaluru-based Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, handled, “Philosophy and Religion- Taking a Cue from Ambedkar.”

Additionally, 17 other research papers were also presented, followed by discussions.

The participants stressed the need to make public the positive aspects of religion in a country like India, which, though secular in fabric, embraces all religions culturally and traditionally. “This will help uphold peace in society,” they said.