Politurco | May 10, 2025
In an era marked by cultural pluralism and increasing secularization, the question of how religious communities can sustain their identity across generations has taken on renewed urgency. On April 28, 2025, a distinguished gathering convened in Washington, DC to address precisely this issue. Titled “Transmission of Religious Identity: Experiences from Faith Communities,” the conference brought together scholars, educators, and faith leaders under the auspices of the Catholic University of America (CUA), Rumi Forum, WISE Institute, the McLean Center for the Study of Culture and Values, and the Center for Faith, Identity, and Globalization (CFIG).
Interfaith Dialogue as Framework for Shared Inquiry
The event opened with remarks from Dr. William A. Barbieri, Professor of Ethics at CUA’s School of Theology and Religious Studies, who set the tone by emphasizing the importance of interreligious dialogue as a tool not only for coexistence but also for confronting shared sociocultural challenges. Dr. Jem Sullivan, also of CUA, echoed this sentiment, underlining the timeliness of the gathering in the context of declining institutional religious affiliation among younger populations.
Institutional and Community Representation
Participants included representatives from a broad array of religious and educational institutions: Dr. Ali Ünsal and Dr. Hamdullah Öztürk of the WISE Institute; Ibrahim Anli, Executive Director of Rumi Forum. Each brought practical and pedagogical perspectives grounded in their respective communities.
Theoretical and Lived Dimensions of Faith
Delivering the keynote, Prof. Dr. Merylann “Mimi” Schuttloffel, Professor Emerita at CUA and Senior Fellow at CFIG, addressed the interplay between dominant secular culture and religious life in contemporary America. Drawing upon both academic theory and personal narrative, she argued that religious identity must be nurtured not as a compartmentalized belief system, but as a holistic lifestyle — one that permeates family traditions, celebrations, and daily interactions.
Pedagogical Practices Across Traditions
The first panel presented case studies from three faith traditions. Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, Director of Intergroup Relations at the Jewish Community Relations Council, detailed how Jewish communities deploy an integrated educational model — combining formal schooling with supplementary programs such as weekend religious education, summer camps, and travel experiences — to foster identity and continuity.
Dr. Susan Timoney, Associate Professor at CUA, contributed the Catholic perspective, acknowledging parallels with other traditions and noting the cultural obstacles faced in transmitting doctrinal and moral teachings to younger generations.
Gülen’s Vision: Integrating Science and Spirituality
The second panel deepened the conversation by turning to contemporary religious education models. Dr. Fevzi Saraç, affiliated with the WISE Institute, introduced the thought of Turkish scholar Fethullah Gülen, whose philosophy emphasizes the formation of morally upright, intellectually capable individuals. According to Saraç, Gülen’s framework — rooted in compassion, human rights, and global responsibility — has informed a global network of schools that seek to balance scientific inquiry with spiritual formation.
Common Challenges, Collaborative Solutions
A robust Q&A session followed, reflecting attendees’ shared concerns: how to make faith relevant in a digitalized, consumer-driven society; how to create inclusive, yet faithful, educational spaces; and how to ensure institutional sustainability amid demographic shifts. These discussions culminated in a closing reception that offered participants the opportunity to network and continue the dialogue in a more informal setting.
Conclusion: A Convergence of Concern
The conference affirmed a growing recognition across religious traditions: that the preservation of identity is not merely a theological task but a profoundly educational one. As secular ideologies continue to shape public and private life, faith communities are being compelled to rethink how they transmit not just knowledge, but a way of being.
In convening diverse voices for a shared inquiry into this challenge, the Washington gathering modeled the very kind of interfaith cooperation and intellectual rigor that will be essential for navigating the religious future of pluralistic societies.
