Religion and the media
Eleanor Fairclough and Sila Collins-Walden write about an Inverness interfaith initiative
Inverness interfaith group was set up to promote dialogue, understanding and cooperation between different faiths and to develop bonds and trust. The group meets regularly. We organise religious, social and educational events, annual picnics, faith sharing, music, dance and poetry, and are involved in social action initiatives, such as helping and supporting refugees. Meetings usually take place in Friend’s homes and often with meal sharing.
The group went on a pilgrimage last year to Iona and another trip is planned for 2017. We work together to break down barriers and to provide a forum for discussion on faith issues and to promote faith work at local community events.
Scottish Interfaith Week was established in 2004 as an opportunity for individuals and local faith groups to meet and celebrate Scotland’s diverse religious community. At the end of last year, on Sunday 20 November, members of Inverness interfaith group met by invitation at Inverness Mosque to celebrate Scottish Interfaith Week. The Week took place from 13-20 November.
The meeting at the mosque involved a workshop on the theme ‘Religion and the Media’. In view of recent global events it has become more important to maintain a positive relationship with the media. Insensitive media reporting has left some faith groups feeling threatened, particularly the Muslim community. Quakers, too, at one time came under attack and were once considered a threat to the state – many years ago, of course!
Friends have always worked with other faiths and recognised the meaning and value of their teachings. George Fox quoted from the Qur’an when writing to the King of Algiers about slavery. Mary Fisher visited Turkey to speak with Sultan Mehmed IV; John Woolman, an American Quaker, campaigned against slavery; and William Penn spoke with Native Americans as being of equal value, and in their own language.
In the workshop we discussed how religion is reported in the media. We were divided into groups and each group was given a different topic that had been reported in a particular newspaper. We then had to decide how accurate the article was: did it have a bias, was it objective, and was it true or false? It was a very engaging discussion, with many different views and opinions expressed. There has been a lot of misinformation, distorted information and fake news reporting linked to the rise of social media in recent years. What can you believe? How difficult is it to believe what is written? How trustworthy are our politicians or do we prefer to listen to our faith leaders? It is confusing!
We are living in a multifaith Britain and as Quakers we must not only have an understanding of other faiths but to be seen as doing so. Many faith groups recognise the similarities, as well as the diversity, within faith groups – so it is all the more important to support religious equality. As Quakers we have much in common with other faiths. We don’t profess to have all the answers and, indeed, we have many more questions than answers. We do not believe that Quakerism is the only path to the truth. Perhaps that’s why we have survived for 350 years.
As Inverness Friends, we have been invited to the local mosque many times and have always been made very welcome. There is a mixed group from various faiths including Bahá’í, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh, as well as Quakers present. The mosque is beautifully decorated with oriental rugs and a wood burning stove, just right for a winter evening. A wonderful selection of delicious food was available as well as good company.
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