Live Well Together #DecemberWonderings

Well, hello there!! Today I come with a hard hitting topic, so beware ;)

Yesterday, I went to a conference in Westminster with some religious leaders, teachers and high school students. To say the least, it was an eye opener and an experience that I will always appreciate. We even had a few Lords and MP's come and join in the discussion.

The topic of the discussion for the day was living well together, from a religious perspective in accordance to society and schools as a whole. We were tackling the issue of whether religious organisations were doing enough in working together in living alongside each other and creating community cohesion. There was a lot of talk about how we should learn to 'disagree well' as there will always be differences, but its how we deal with them that is important. There was also talk about 'respect and hospitality' among religions in order for society as a whole to work better together.

I personally felt that this discussion was long overdue, but the fact that so many people in high places within the UK felt that the issue needed to be tackled was heart-warming as I now that I and my friends aren’t alone in what we think. There was a consensus that there needs to be a standing for living together well from all aspects in life; government, schools, home life etc. what many people don’t realise is that religion effects of daily lives in such a huge way that it’s unavoidable. Religious beliefs set the moral grounds of many laws. How people act, debate and friction between any groups in society. The fact we don’t talk about it is a shame as it does have such an impact.

my overall thoughts at the end of the day were, what can I myself do to 'live well together' and why is it that people complain about the divisions yet aren’t willing to discuss it properly, find the main issue and discuss it in such a way that people don’t leave the discussion offended with more divisions in place.

Why?

Ellah xx