Barring some sort of singularity suddenly snapping through the collective un- or subconscious, our allegedly noble species will never agree on the reality of whether or not a god or gods exist and, if they do, what exactly it is they want from the poor, pitiful human race. Unsurprisingly, TED considers faith a worthwhile topic to feature as part of its laudable goal of exploring the different perspectives and innovations currently driving the world. Not everyone will necessarily agree with what the following features say, nor should they, but they undoubtedly bring something provocative to the overarching discussion and deserve consideration.
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Julia Sweeney: Letting go of God:
People speak of the intensity involved in life-changing conversions toward faith or different faiths but rarely do atheists and agnostics utilize similar rhetoric to discuss their own paths. This powerful TED Talk showcases the first 15 minutes of Saturday Night Live alum Julia Sweeney’s one-woman show about finding the most comfort in nonbelief.
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His Holiness the Karmapa: The technology of the heart:
Delve deeply into the story of how His Holiness the Karmapa received his title — an incredibly honorable and important position within the Buddhist faith — and what it has led him to ponder about humanity’s present and future. He absolutely believes technology can keep it chugging along toward great things, but not at the expense of kindness and compassion.
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Diane Benscoter on how cults rewire the brain:
Former Unification Church member (colloquially known by the pejorative “Moonie”) opens up about her experiences within the cult to educate viewers on how they recruit and retain members. Anyone confused about the difference between a genuine religious faith that promotes positivity and a dangerous, mind-warping organization might want to give this insightful talk a viewing or two.
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Mustafa Akyol: Faith versus tradition in Islam:
Turkish writer Mustafa Akyol reflects upon whether current practices and perceptions regarding the Islamic faith place heavier emphasis on details as opposed to the very basic tenets driving it. As a result, he argues, external opinions regarding the faith wind up shaped around specific elements of specific movements within the religion rather than what Islam is really all about, and this needs to change.
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Rev. James Forbes: Compassion at the dinner table:
So many religions wrap their essential beliefs around the concept of compassion (to mixed, or “predictably human,” results), but it doesn’t have to be expressed as some grandiose gesture. Lessons in loving one another and showcasing empathy and sympathy can prove as simple and wholly resonant as sharing a meal and talking about how one’s day progressed.
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Hans Rosling: Religions and babies:
Sociology buffs who love studying religions and demographics alike have an excellent TED Talk to unpack, thanks to the research of the Karolinska Institute’s Hans Rosling. He expounds upon the role faith might very well play in dictating human geography and populations in specific parts of the world, and what the ardent dataphiliac presents certainly makes this insight seem very real indeed.
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Michael Specter: The danger of science denial:
If one sticks with Stephen Jay Gould’s model of nonoverlapping magisteria or similar separation of the divine and the physical, believing in both science and God is entirely possible. In fact, outright denying evidence and facts on the basis of religion might actually wind up killing people, which, it’s safe to say, is against the code of most major faiths.
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Matthieu Ricard: The habits of happiness:
Matthieu Ricard’s life led him to abandon his biochemistry career to train as a Buddhist monk, and his choice brought him comfort, enlightenment, and some deeply personal insight into the nature of happiness. Let “The Happiest Man in the World” offer some suggestions about discovering good things in simple, unexpected places — and nobody even has to convert to benefit!
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A.J. Jacobs: My year of living biblically:
Within Christianity, debates over whether or not the Bible must be read as literal or metaphorical (or metaphorical in some parts and literal in another) so often divide denominations. One journalist famously decided to go about doing everything the book says to the letter and revealed just how difficult it truly is to do every single thing it asks of believers.
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Rabbi Jackie Tabick: When compassion isn’t the answer:
Sometimes, compassion isn’t exactly what situations need to move forward, particularly if it means compromising justice and equality. For those of any religious preference who find it difficult to strike this incredibly delicate balance, Rabbi Jackie Tabick offers up some interesting insight into what strategies might just work.
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Noah Feldman says politics and religion are technologies:
Mixing politics and religion is not exactly the greatest of ideas, but despite this, the two phenomena do share some startling similarities. When it comes to psychology, both institutions utilize similar strategies for keeping people within specified limits and could very well be considered some of the best examples of organic technology.
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