SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Religious leaders from the Interfaith Clergy Council of Greater South Brunswick recently held an interactive discussion in an effort to promote peace, understanding and solidarity in a diverse community.
The program on June 26, entitled “Words that Hurt, Words that Heal,” took place at the South Brunswick Public Library as a part of the Continuing Community Conversation series.
Members from the town and the council engaged in a conversation with the leaders, according to a statement prepared by the South Brunswick Library. There was also time for a small group discussion and to answer questions as the interactive conversation looked at ways some religious traditions and phrases can promote both violent and non-violent results.
“Some religious scriptures have been misinterpreted due to the current political environment,” Reverend Valerie Balling of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Monmouth Junction said in the statement. “We also need to learn how to respond in a healthy way and we also need to be honest about what the texts are saying.”
Rabbi Robert Wolkov of Congregation B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick also pointed during the discussion to people having a choice in what they say.
“The way we use our words is a real demonstration of character,” Wolkov said.
Other leaders who were a part of the discussion included Rev. Osy Nuesh of Six Mile Run Reformed Church in Franklin Park, Rev. Sharyl Dixon of Kingston Presbyterian Church, Rev. Beth Scibienski of Grace Presbyterian Church in Monmouth Junction, and Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in Monmouth Junction.
Throughout the discussion, everyone emphasized the need to continue dispelling the fears of those from different faiths by looking at how many scriptures can promote both violent and non-violent communication within the community, according to the statement.
The library also has a partnership with the council as well as the South Brunswick Human Relations Commission and the Community Response Team, and recently earned a multi-cultural programming award from the New Jersey State Library in recognition of its efforts, allowing the library to plan additional programs in the Continuing Community Conversation series with additional installments to be announced in the near future.