Can Religion Bridge Divides, Build Peace?

Can religion become a force for peace? This question guided students in a Soka University of America Learning Cluster taught by university professor Testushi Ogata.

The students traveled to Boston to visit 10 different places of worship and met with scholars, religious representatives and peers at other universities.

By studying real cases and engaging in dialogue across faith traditions, the students tackled fundamental questions, including how to restore faith in human dignity and how to collaborate across deep divides—even with those whose words or actions promote division.

The university’s annual Learning Cluster enables students to choose a monthlong course centered on a specific problem or question. In groups of 12 students or less, they explore solutions.

—Adapted from an article on soka.edu