Listeners' Reflections
This is your place to publicly comment on the topics and issues addressed in Speaking of Faith programs. React in a personal way, and put into words what this program meant to you.
Submit Your Reflection about "Remembering Forward."
Inspired by Speaking of Faith (February 28, 2008)
The following was inspired by Krista's book Speaking of Faith and the radio show. I wanted to share it with you.
"Faith Comes, In Daily Life"
by Earon S. Davis
Faith comes, in daily life,
from the embrace of a loved one,
the sound of laughter,
a song sung for no reason,
a spectacular sunset,
or an ordinary sunset shared with a beloved.
Faith comes, in daily life,
from a deep breath,
a hot shower or a crisp dip in the pool.
It comes from a mediocre meal when you are famished,
A comfortable seat at the end of a long day,
or from the bus, cab or car that finally arrives to pick you up.
Faith comes, in daily life,
from the outstretched arms of a friend,
the sharing of an idea with lofty intentions,
the rain which ends a drought, a simple rainbow,
a soaring hawk, a grateful smile,
or the touch that helps us feel like we belong.
Faith comes, in daily life,
when we notice we’ve woken up
and have a new day of life.
It comes from all around us, including religion,
but does not come from a god or a church or a book.
It comes from life, from our human nature,
our connection with the people,
other beings and the world around us.
Faith comes, in daily life,
and can not be stored or hoarded,
not in a book, even if memorized chapter and verse,
but must be renewed daily,
with the fresh air of open hearts and minds.
If you wish to see how faith comes, in daily life,
open your heart and mind to the beauty of life,
and sit quietly, patiently
to experience what it is to be fully alive, fully human.
When the heart is open, faith comes,
and inside faith is the greatest courage of all,
the faith to live and to love.
Earon Davis
Evanston, IL (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
A Real Eye Opener for Me (February 28, 2008)
I am a 17 year old, and I am new to the Speaking of Faith program. I have to say that I love your show. Recently I've taken an interest about learning about different people's views on faith and religion and in my search I found your program online. I am not a religious person, but your program interests me. I like the show so much because it really engages your mind. I can listen to talk about religion without being judged on my ideas, unlike actual conversations I have had. I think that it is so great for a program to look into many aspects of ideas of faith, even with topics such as quantum mechanics. I also like how the program shows the aspects of faith and religion that exist in our society today. This program is a real eye opener for me and helps me keep my mind open to new thoughts and ideas. I even downloaded some shows before I had gone on a trip, and they saved me from boredom while I was stuck in the airport. I am always looking forward to the mew topics. Keep up the great work!
Sara Mae Corwin
Endicott, NY (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
Wonderful Pondering (February 7, 2008)
I feel inspired to write my reactions. I am as taken by the way you have brought your written words to life as I am by the nuanced, life-affirming content. I find it quite rare to listen to somebody read from a prepared text and be carried away. Krista, I marvel at how you speak in such a poetic, nuanced, complex, and alive way while avoiding the familiar trappings of static, pedantic, rehearsed speech. I have downloaded your talk so that I might continue to hear new aspects as I listen in the future.
The actual content felt so inspiring for me to hear as well. I especially appreciate how you herald the importance of getting beyond stereotypes of religious posturing and celebrate openness and complexity. So much that is out there on spirituality/religion can harden and limit and exclude while it attempts to uplift and help. Thanks for the nuanced view of your grandfather and others. I need to be reminded of our multiplicity with examples like this. I also appreciate your including listener responses like this. I wonder if it might be technically possible to include listener's oral responses as you did on the wonderful Rumi feature? Thanks for your wonderful pondering.
Craig Smith
Del Mar, CA (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
A Good Fit (February 3, 2008)
Great job, really enjoy your programming. The "Remembering Forward" with Krista Tippett was especially inspiring, mainly because it was a very good fit with my spiritual community, The Key to Life Center.
Gene Borscheid
St. Louis Park, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)
The Necessity of Language (February 3, 2008)
I had a "parking lot moment" listening to the rebroadcast of Krista Tippett reading from, and discussing, her book at the Fitz. I had an "aha" moment as I scanned references to literature and the language of philosophy and religions. I now understand the biggest flaw in video games, the addiction of so many children: the games are not language based. Without language, there can be no discussion. Without discussion, there is no growth. Without growth there is no truth. As a special education teacher, I see language deprived students on the increase, and a corresponding slide in not just finding answers, but even knowing that there are questions.
Dorothy Sankey
Oakdale, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)
Feeling Forgiveness (February 3, 2008)
You mentioned meeting Elie Wiesel on his "first" visit to Germany since the Holocaust. I assume that was in the mid-1980s or thereabouts. I wish to elaborate on that. In 1965, I attended a two-week session at a Jewish summer camp in Massachusetts. I was 20 years old. We were honored and privileged to have Elie Wiesel as a guest speaker. I remember sitting on a folding chair in the front row of an informal gathering of campers and staff as Mr. Wiesel stood looking out at us from behind a folding table. I was directly opposite and no more than 10 feet in front of him.
He began to speak in his quiet intense way about many things including his need to go back to Germany. I don't remember what he gave as his reason for this visit, whether it was some state organized meeting or just a desire to revisit his past. I do remember he told us he made the trip. Of course, by this time he had us all at the edge of our chairs both because of the stories he was telling and his signature way of telling a story, almost inaudible and yet piercing to the heart.
I went to Germany because I had to see what it was like, he said. I had to see what I felt. I got off the plane and went into the terminal. Immediately, I felt I had to leave. I couldn't stay. In a half hour I was on another plane flying out of Germany. Do you know why I had to leave? My assumption as I absorbed this story with my eyes wide open and my mouth agape, and I'm sure the assumption of every other stunned person in the room, was that we were about to hear a tale of horror, of heart-wrenching emotion.
He continued. I had to leave, I couldn't stay, not because I felt anger. I had to leave because I felt forgiveness.
Robert Segall
Upper Jay, NY (WSLU, 89.5 FM)
Out of Step (February 3, 2008)
Krista's comments/reading about the "science vs. religion" debate showed an un-nuanced lack of understanding of how science works and how scientists think, in spite of her many interviews with scientists. It's not that scientists are "able" to take things on "faith," such as concepts and constructs they can't see. These concepts and constructs are created in the development of their theories about how (not why) the world works; these theories are then tested in the real world.
If these constructs, concepts, and theories aren't proven or supported on the basis of evidence, then they are discarded and reworked — exactly the opposite of the case of religious teachings, learning, and interpretations which claim to have the corner on ultimate truth and unchangeable meaning. It's a fallacy to apply the religious concept of "faith" (a question of why) to describe how scientists think and work, and to explain the ultimate usefulness of their work in the real world.
A. Carroll
Philadelphia, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)
The Poor Snake (February 3, 2008)
The story of how an innocent snake was "harassed" and killed. This is something to be proud of? Not to me, to me it is something to be sad and mourn about. To do penance for. I turned it off the minute I heard what it was. Have you learned nothing? What is spiritual about praising the killing of an innocent snake? The animals of this planet have a right to life as well. Do you feel no pity for the snake?
Patience Miller
Eaton Rapids, MI (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
The Listening Project (February 3, 2008)
I would like to contact Krista regarding the "Listening Project" which is a method of working for social change based in the spiritual and practical beliefs that she shared so well in her Fitzgerald Theatre reading. I was quite moved by your reading. I see that at the heart of your beliefs is the practice of listening to others.
The Listening Project utilizes a very comprehensive listening, dialogue, and action approach that has been applied successfully to further justice, peace, and the environment at the local, national, and international levels. Internationally our work has been recognized by the U.N. for our work in the Balkans and nationally we have successfully addressed a wide range of social issues including racial conflict, toxic waste poisoning of an Appalachian community, revitalizing low-income urban communities, sustainable agriculture in North Carolina, women's health etc. We are currently writing a book about this work which has been active since 1986 and has been covered by NBC Nightly News and other national media — and I would like to discuss integrating some of your thoughts and ideas in the book.
Herb Walters
Burnsville, NC (WFAE, 90.7 FM)
Blending All Religions, and Science (February 3, 2008)
Recognizing that science and religion can be blended together as the work of the universe is not so mysterious as we explore out from the center of our world, watching that all things moving around in all directions for as far as we can travel we are in the middle seeking to know exactly where we are we need to keep our focus on our very center.
The evolution of religion will bring many changes as the truth becomes known and we can all move forward together understanding that there is only one truth. If the truth has ever been challenged then my story reveals the very flaws in our current society and the need for change and repair to the way things are done. Has an innocent man ever been exonerated? Certainly speaking of faith there has to be great trust that in the end the truth will be known, and the false accounts exposed as only structures built on a solid foundation will remain standing. Anything built upon a false foundation will surely crumble. An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.
Gary Landis
Quakertown, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)
Great Landscape (February 3, 2008)
I am a Mennonite pastor and enjoy listening to your show Speaking of Faith early Sunday morning as part of my own ritual of centering myself for worship. This morning it warmed my heart to hear you reading from your book, Speaking of Faith: Why Religion Matters and How to Talk about It. I simply had to write you and say: fantastic! inspiring! beautiful! Thank you.
You put into words a wonderfully and beautifully the great landscape of the spiritual journey reminding us all what we seek within and beyond the framed portraits of our own faith traditions. You are giving us all a precious gift by bringing us so many voices, and by your reflections on all that you are hearing.
David Moser
Goshen, IN (WFYI, 90.1 FM)
Memory (January 31, 2008)
The comment on Through the Looking Glass: "It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards" reminded me of a reminiscence from the late Estelle Winwood recalling her great friend Tallulah Bankhead. In 1972 I was interviewing Estelle about Tallulah. She said they had gathered with other friends to join a procession of cars to a deceased friend's funeral. When Estelle tried to chivy Tallulah and the person she was chatting to hurry up or the procession would leave without them, Tallulah said, "It's alright Estelle, we're coming — we've just been reminiscing about the future."
Tom Lee
Phoenix, AZ (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
Speaking Tour (January 31, 2008)
I am a regular podcast listener. I was wondering if Krista was planning to speak out in sunny California? I enjoy the show very much. The first podcast I heard was on the L'Arche program. It was very moving for me because I have a daughter with special needs. After listening to the interview with Matthew Sanford I purchased and have begun reading his memoir, Waking. Keep up the great work.
Steven Scheer
Concord, CA (Listens to SOF Podcast)
Theology and Real Life (January 31, 2008)
I hope you will think about what it means to speak of "the powerful, creative, and humbling line between religious ideas and human experience, between theology and real life." In many times and places, in many communities of religious association, across broad spectrums of religious belief people allow a deceptive dichotomy between ideas and experience, theology, and life. But I question the validity of that line; I believe it is false. Religious thought and religious language cannot be separated from the life experience of the thinker/speaker — even when we believe we think and speak in the abstract, general or objective sense. Believing we can be abstract, general or objective in speaking of faith spoils the conversation.
Lorna Shoemaker
Indianapolis, IN (WFYI, 90.1 FM)
A Book of a Great Depth (June 18, 2007)
I just finished reading your book and found it to be not just a great read, but a book of great depth and grace. I've posted a blog review at http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com/2007/06/speaking-of-faith-review.html. I also plan to write a piece on the book for my weekly op-ed column in the Lompoc Record.
Robert Cornwall
Santa Barbara, CA (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
Dialogue That's Sorely Needed (June 17, 2007)
I found your program by accident while driving home one day a year or two ago. You facilitate dialogue that is sorely lacking in much of our society. I just finished reading your book which acted as balm to my spirit. Please continue this work which is so important to the hearts of those whose faith lives outside and around and between the boxes others are so quick to nail shut. Thanks!
Anna Ferraro
South Pasadena, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)
Mere Living Requires Faith (June 15, 2007)
I am truly inspired by Krista's new book. She mixes personal and general observations that help me get a broader view of the spiritual life worldwide. She seems to confine "faith" to spiritual matters, whereas I think mere living requires faith. The greatest challenge remains our deep-seated need to be right rather than come together to speculate on what constitutes the good life. I am recommending her book to all my friends and acquaintances. She is truly a gift to all of us from the Holy Spirit.
Robert De Rycke
Louisville, TN (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
Having Heard You Were on Majorca (June 11, 2007)
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89). St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, Laybrother of the Society of Jesus
HONOUR is flashed off exploit, so we say;
And those strokes once that gashed flesh or galled shield
Should tongue that time now, trumpet now that field,
And, on the fighter, forge his glorious day.
On Christ they do and on the martyr may;
But be the war within, the brand we wield
Unseen, the heroic breast not outward-steeled,
Earth hears no hurtle then from fiercest fray.
Yet God (that hews mountain and continent,
Earth, all, out; who, with trickling increment,
Veins violets and tall trees makes more and more)
Could crowd career with conquest while there went
Those years and years by of world without event
That in Majorca Alfonso watched the door.
Eric Volck
Cincinnati, OH (WVXU, 91.7 FM)
Enjoy at Work (June 10, 2007)
I just enjoy listening to your show. I work at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago on Sundays, and I consider it really peaceful to listen to various people talking about their religious experiences. I am not really religious in any way. I was raised Catholic but have trouble with some of their positions. I went to a Web site called belief-o-matic and found out I am what would be considered a neo-pagan religiously. Anyway, I enjoy listening to your show and keep it up. Thanks.
Tom Mcnichols
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)
Meaningful (June 10, 2007)
This program was particularly meaningful to me. It collected thoughts and experiences to which I could relate, and put them in words that can facilitate discussion. I may be interested in using this program as the basis of an adult Sunday School discussion, and also with my adult, remote living children. Thanks for the program.
Ron Coffman
Charlotte, NC (WFAE, 90.7 FM)
Shaping, Renewing, and Challenging (June 10, 2007)
I have waited a long time for Krista to finally write a book as I find her program, her intelligence, and her beautiful flawed humaness and spirituality challenging, inspiring, and moving. Presently, I am in the process of discernment for ministry in the Episcopal Church and Krista's thought-provoking programs and gentle prodding to patiently understand and find a unique quality of truth in things that are not always quickly "understandable" has added depth and meaning to this magnificent journey. I cannot completely express in words how Speaking of Faith has helped to shape and renew and challenge my faith. Thank you.
Kate Deans
Califon, NJ (WHYY, 91.0 FM)
Faith Is a Dirty Word (June 10, 2007)
As a person whose spirituality is the foundation of her life, I have come to hate the word faith. The word, to me, is synonomous with Christianity. A person of faith is a Christian, but it's the narrow minded, "if you're not one of us, you're a heathen." Christian. It's frightening to me. To talk about the faith-based community filters out any possible thought of connectivity that really is the basis of how the world works. The Jewish prayer, "Hear oh Israel, the Lord or God the Lord is One" does not say that my God is different than you're god. In the Jewish mystical numerology tradition, the word One is the same number as the word Love. Words that share the same number have the same meaning. That means that God is One could be expressed as God is Love. Didn't Jesus say Love one another?
I honor and respect Krista's work. I share her journey. I also interviewed many people of many faiths, disciplines and backgrounds when I was a magazine publisher. Those interviews appear in a book called A Chorus of Wisdom: Notes on Spiritual Living.
On today's show, toward the end, Krista said something about learning what it means to be human. I agree that it's the humanity in us that calls us to explore meaning and purpose — like the DNA that calls us to stand up rather than crawl. Krista is doing God's work in exploring that humanity through the lens of faith. And yet I wish she would use another word — love, spirit, the universe, connection, magnitude — are words that far better express the experience of joining with something larger.
Besides, to me faith means that whatever you believe is out there someplace rather than in your own heart.
Sorah Dubitsky
Pembroke Pines, FL (WLRN, 91.3 FM)
Connections? (June 10, 2007)
On Sundays I get up and listen to Speaking of Faith. It is usally peaceful and bolsters my spirit, enriches my soul. Except today. Today I heard about someone harassing a snake until the snake reacted and then the human kills the snake. And the woman speaking sees nothing wrong in this. I am shocked, what is this, another stereotype of the snake being evil? The Christian man killing the snake? I see it differently, I see it as a human being setting up a situation (the shed) where the snake went for sanctuary and then the human murders the snake for no good reason. This is not something I want to hear on Sunday morning and is not something for spiritual growth, but for leaving behind us. We need to move beyond Adam and Eve and the idea that the snake embodies Evil.
I am not sure who this person is or why she has the authority to lecture on
"faith," but she may wish to look a little deeper into her soul before she starts lecturing others. After all, the Creator created snakes (and all the animals and plants of this the world) as well as humans. It seems she is focused entirely on humans and ignoring the natural world in which we live. I'm very disappointed and chose to turn it off and find another message that would be uplifting this morning.
Patience Miller
Eaton Rapids, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)
A Beautiful Integrity (June 9, 2007)
I am always moved by the words of Krista — she speaks of her grandfather possessing a singular integrity. I hear a very multi-faceted and textured integrity that is echoed in her approach to people, ideas, concepts, and meaning. I find myself frequently encouraged by her conversations with diverse people who seem to articulate things that I have only begun to hope could be true. And I must also allow myself to listen to the conversations she has with people who challenge the things I hope to be true and who question the meaning I have found in my experience.
Inasmuch as she creates a space of welcome, she also poses the difficult questions — an example of this was a few weeks ago in her interview with Chaplain Major John Morris. While some listener feedback critiqued her lack of direct challenge to the Major, I found myself challenged as to whether I could acknowledge and admit that the kind of "shared space and shared humanity" I love SoF for is extendable to those I disagree with, as well as those I embrace openly. Can I extend to Chaplain Major Morris the same kind of rich and intelligent reputation as Krista extends to the bold and fiery faith of her grandfather. Whether there are good reasons to lambaste the opinions of the "other" are secondary; it begins with a dignified conversation.
Living and working for reconciliatory movements in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in an era when we are hoping that communities can learn to acknowledge grief but not let the pain of that grief separate people into violent categories, I find that her probing questions are healing, and that they carry within them a spark of the kind of beauty that we need in our societies. Deeper than political negotiation, more broad than definition-by-doctrine, and more humanising than categories of right and wrong. Krista's is a welcome and needed voice for me.
Pádraig Twomey
Belfast, Northern Ireland (Listens to SOF Podcast)
Narrative Nature of Faith (June 9, 2007)
Ms. Tippett rightly emphasized the narrative nature of spirituality across religious boundaries. My own perspective is that what is needed in today's fraught world is more inter-religious conversation rather than dialogue. My gratitude to her for her self-revealing hour and her book.
JJ Bodine
Warner, NH (WEVO, 89.1 FM)
Krista's Book (June 9, 2007)
The book was fun, interesting, thoughtful, provocative, and an interesting blend to the radio show. Thank you.
Kevin McFarland
West Tisbury, MA (WCAI, 90.1 FM)
Sharing the Struggles (June 9, 2007)
SOF is a much needed and appreciated program. I absolutely listen, but also learn and am challenged. Thank you, Krista Tippett, for sharing your personal thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs while being so open to the thought, perceptions and beliefs of others — oh yes, the struggles, too!
Marie Stevens Cooper
New Britain, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)
Cadence (June 9, 2007)
I've just finished listening to the program, and I am excited and moved by Krista's body of work and approach to the people, experiences, and questions encountered in the course of SOF. This year I have undertaken a course of study at seminary toward becoming a minister. The seminary I attend is called One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. I am not a member of any religion but have felt a strong connection to the divine and to my human family throughout my life. I often felt at odds with many in our country and many in the world who are called religious and who claim to know the "will of God."
My gayness, my feminism, my socialism were all too often targets for their legalistic patriarchal traditions. This year I have come to a depth of faith that gives me the strength of compassion to include those that would defame or condemn me into Unity, in the One that I know to be God.
I love the saints of Roman Catholicism and their fusion with Yoruba in Santeria and Condomble. The Tao Te Ching moves me every time I read any of its passages. The study and transcendence of Hasidim inspires me. Buddhist meditation amazes and encourages my life of prayer and singing praises. I am seeking an interfaith way of living in belief and ruthless compassion.
I thank you all for making a program that gives my mind and spirit an opportunity to stretch and run, to walk with Krista and a new friend and walk for a while. Gratitude and forgiveness have been wonderful gifts along my spiritual journey; I find these embodied in your program. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Marie Stevens Cooper
New York, NY (Listens to SOF Podcast)
Doubt (June 9, 2007)
I have listened to many of your programs with great enjoyment and interest. I can very much appreciate your journey in search of truth, as mine began as well in Protestant fundamentalism. The recent program on "doubt" seemed to get as close to the truth as as I have gotten — existence — with three possibilities from there: death (doubt) or everlastingLife (faith) or punishment (fear). Once everlastingLife is assumed, 'know'ledge leads us to two options: asleep and awake. We 'know' the universe exists. Is it large enough to be heaven? What percentage of humanMind experience is spent in acute physical pain? Is it likely that audiovisual recordings will remind us of past trips to heaven? As 100 years is to 20 billion, so is 15.8 seconds to 100 years — short trip, no?
Randy Mayle
Bolivar, OH (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
Connections? (June 9, 2007)
Though the public radio affiliate in Louisville does not carry the program, I keep up with it via email and the web. In reading about Krista's book, and noting that she has Southern Baptist roots, my interest in a possible connection was revived. I grew up Southern Baptist in Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton, Georgia. The first pastor I remember was a man named John Tippett (this would have been in the early to mid 50's). I have often wondered if Krista was any relation to him. I don't remember where he went after leaving Carrollton.
Jim Holladay
Louisville, KY (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
A Thank You Note from Brazil (June 8, 2007)
I'm writing this just to thank you for the wonderful job you guys do with your show. I used to live in the USA, and would listen to your show every Sunday morning. Now that I'm back to Brazil, fortunately I can still have the wonderful experience of connecting to your insights and to your guests' through the audio files available online. Thank you so much!
Gibson da Costa
Recife, Brazil (Listens to SOF OnDemand)
You Are a Great Help to Me (June 8, 2007)
I have gained insight from all of the programs. Being 76 years old and handicapped with severe arthritis of the spine, I needed something to hold on to my faith. These past years have been quite troubling as our country invaded another country. Not the Christian way in my opinion. Being a Korean veteran, I would think by now the world leaders could find a way other then war. But I guess this is the human animals way. So many different religions somehow turn violent, but I guess this is the case through all of nature. Many needs are there to help the poor, to preserve God's Creation but again through the centuries we seem to be very greedy including myself. I could have done more through my life time to protect the earth we all call home. I also am in hope of a better life in the spiritual world after I leave this world!
Orville Streicher
Freeport, IL (WNIE, 89.1 FM)
