Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 15 September 2005 — Page 34

Page 34 • The Muncie Times • September 15, 2005

Author Cone challenges Earlham audience to practice religion in daily living

By Karen S. Lang In 1970, when James H. Cone published Black Theology and Black Power, he wrote in the preface: For me, the burning theological question was, how can I reconcile Christianity and Black Power, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s idea of nonviolence and Malcom X’s ‘by any means necessary philosophy?’ Thirty five years later. Professor Cone is still attempting to reconcile this theological question. On Aug. 31 when Cone presented the Robert S.

Charles, Jr .Lecture at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., he challenged the audience to confront racism as a matter of their faith expression. While framing the lecture as three challenges, the crowd, a mixture of students, faculty and communit, was asked to: Break the silence. Cone asked that people speak openly and often about how to engage each other across racial divides. Turning to the whites, he said they know little intellectually and less existentially

about people of color in the United States. Cone chided African Americans for attempting to substitute their existential knowledge for historical knowledge. "Listen to one another. Cone challenged people to engage in creative and critical conversations. The survival of the oppressed has depended upon the ability to listen...," he said. Cone said that by acknowledging the limits of our own experience, people will find profound empathy. In this listening, religion has the power to build community when it

seeks to find the transcendent; or hope. Although religion is rife with problems, it has also let blacks know that they are not "Niggers" but but God’s people. "Work together to get rid of white supremacy," he said. Cone philosophized that empathy is superficial, unless people are empowered. "Without practice, our faith loses," he said. "Our humanity is bound together." Cone challenged hi& audience to talk, listen and act. “What is the meaning

of faith if it cannot bring down hate?” he said. The freshman class at Earlham College has read Cone’s new book, Risks of Faith, and has become involved in their own struggle to reconcile divergent perspectives. During a small, break out session, Cone said: “Faith is a profound risk; you are struggling for a vision. There is no evidence that it will be there and doubt is an inherent part of that faith,” Cone said. “Bear witness to another way.”

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