The first, on the evening of the 19th November, featured a panel debate and public forum on traditions of giving, notions of gift, and understanding of the after-life in modern Christian, and other religious traditions. Running for two hours from 19.00-21.00 in the wonderful surrounding of Prior’s Hall, the forum was expertly chaired by Paul Chandler, Chair of the Cathedral Council, Fellow of St Chad’s College and CEO of Traidcraft. The panel consisted of:
- Mrs Naomi Shaw, North-East Jewish Community
- Rev. Fr. Benjamin Earl OP, St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Church and Catholic Chaplaincy to the University (Dominican Order)
- Mrs Mahshid Turner, Muslim Chaplain, Durham University
- Rev. Canon Rosalind Brown, Durham Cathedral (Anglican)
- Rev. Calvin Samuels, Wesley Study Centre, Durham (Methodist)
- Mr William Guymer, Ushaw Moor Baptist Church
- Peter MacLellan, Durham Vineyard Churches
What the audience got was an array of different perspectives, similarities and dissimilarities, and a fascinating series of short talks by the speakers, specific questions to the presentations and a wide-ranging and vibrant general discussion.
Amongst the themes discussed were the changes, even over the last fifty years, to how the after-life and the consequences of life lived on earth are presented. The perils of hell seem to be less present, at least amongst the groups represented in the forum. The difference here between the Jewish tradition which has no strong sense of the after-life, and other traditions which do, especially Christianity and Islam, is striking. Mahshid Turner reminded the audience of the theological rootedness of gift and giving. In Islamic theology divine unity provides the foundation for human sincerity which lies at the heart of giving. Rosalind Brown stressed, similarly, that in the Christian tradition it is the love of money that is the root of all evil, it money itself.
Structural aspects to giving within the religious traditions represented were also raised; the Muslim notion of giving 2.5% of surplus to the poor, in addition to other gifts, the tithe amongst Christian groups (from the Cathedral to the Vineyard Churches, as outlined by Peter MacLellan). What giving to the church was for, and what believers might expect, were laid out by Father Benjamin Earl: the ordering of divine worship, the fitting support of the clergy, community growth and charity, especially for the needy. Bill Guymer explored the concepts of covenant and the spiritual discipline in giving. Calvin Samuels contrasted the world and communities of early Methodism in England, with the modern-day, highlighting the issue that gift and giving are much less frequent topics for conversation and discussion today, when perhaps they need to be.
There was no shortage of discussion throughout the evening, and the event was an eye-opener for different attitudes and approaches. A lot of continuity with the past, but the wonderful detail of the present, showed how complex and rewarding the issues of gift and giving are to explore.