A panel discussion at the University of Tennessee at Martin gave students, faculty and guests a look at how some religions of the world explain faith in the aftermath of disaster.
In light of the recent natural disasters such as the tsunami and other manmade disasters that have occurred around the world, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity sponsored a forum discussion that would explore how many of the faiths of the world interpret and explain disaster. This event entitled “Faith in the Face of Disaster” was held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 in Watkins Auditorium. More than 250 people attended.
The panel consisted of representatives from various religious affiliations, including Dr. Tahira Arshed, a Muslim; Richard Saunders, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Michael Riley, a Buddhist; Brendan Sweetman, a Maori; J.J. Kent, a Lakota Indian and Jane Ogg, a Baptist.
Kevin Teets, Sigma Phi Epsilon Vice President of Member Development, explained the purpose of the forum and then introduced the panelists.
“The quilt of humanity in this world is very inspiring and very diverse,” Teets said in introductory remarks. “Each fabric of the quilt has its own belief system and understanding of faith, making its own unique contribution to the whole.”
Dr. Luther T. Mercer II, Director of Multicultural Affairs, moderated the forum. Mercer began the panel discussion by asking the panelists to each describe their faith. Sweetman, a native of New Zealand, and Kent, who was adorned in Lakota attire, both spoke in their native tongues for a few minutes and then gave the English translation of what they were saying.
Mercer first asked the panelists why a loving God would allow disaster to occur. Dr. Arshed, a physicist by trade, said that many of the disasters such as that of the tsunami were simply defined by the laws of physics. She and other panelists agreed that plate tectonics were what caused the disaster to occur, not divine intervention. Arshed also said that many of the challenges that we face, including disaster, are there to test us as humans.
Panelists also brought up the point that disaster humbles mankind. Ogg mentioned the fact that in time of calamity, the goodness of people shines through. This is evident in the massive assistance and relief efforts that have taken place for the tsunami survivors.
Other discussion occurred on the topics of whether disasters were a prophecy of the world coming to an end and if religion and politics should mesh together.
The last question of the night seemed to be the most difficult. Mercer mentioned that when one panelist was speaking, many of the other panelists were shaking their head in agreement. Mercer pointed out that it seemed that there were many similarities in the faiths that were represented on the panel. To this he asked, “Do you believe that the faiths represented here tonight are the same as that of your own?”
Sweetman answered the question by saying that we all give honor and worship to the same God, but that we refer to him by different names and describe him in different contexts. Other panelists said that the faiths were the same because they each espoused to the ideals of being good people. Saunders and Ogg both made the point that while there were many similarities, there were also very distinct differences between their own faiths and those of the other panelists. To Ogg, these differences meant someone either going to heaven or to hell.
Senior Communications major Samantha Young says that she thought the discussions were very mature and were conducive to a higher level of learning.
“Religion is a subject that is passionate even for one who doesn’t ascribe to it. The panelists managed to remain calm and respectfully discuss their beliefs and contrast them with the beliefs of the other panelists without being offensive,” Young said.
After the discussions were over, audience members were invited to approach the stage and ask the panelists further questions. Kent also played music from his flutes for those who stayed after the panel discussion had ended.
The “Faith in the Face of Disaster” forum is the second event this academic year that was cosponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In November of last year, the two organizations, along with the Student Government Association, sponsored the “Writing on the Wall” project.