Abstract
This session is part four of a six part series running through the 2018-2019 academic year titled Encountering Religious and Cultural Traditions: A Series Fostering Religious Literacy and Interreligious Understanding. In this session, Angela Madan and Randeep "Ricky" Singh Arora will teach about the lived experience of Sikhs in America as well as address some common misconceptions and stereotypes people have about the tradition.
Renowned scholar of religion Wilfred Cantwell Smith argued that in order to “understand Buddhists, we must not look at something called Buddhism but at the world so far as possible through Buddhist eyes.” Likewise, in order to understand Judaism, Hinduism, and so on, we must not look at Judaism, Hinduism and so on, but at the worldviews of Jews, Hindus, and so. In his New York Times Bestseller, Religious Literacy, Stephen Prothero writes “I am convinced that one needs to know something about the world’s religions in order to be truly educated,” and argues that “you need religious literacy in order to be an effective citizen.” This year-long series aims to foster religious literacy and interreligious understanding by examining the world through the eyes of religious scholars and practitioners from various traditions, especially our locally lived traditions in Minnesota. The presenters will share their own lived experiences of the traditions and address any common stereotypes and misconceptions.
Angela Madan and Randeep “Ricky” Singh Arora are Sikhs. The word Sikh means student who is learning for life and respect humanity. Madan has been a member of the Minnesota Sikh community for 20 years. Her life-long goal is “to follow a truthful way of life and to be actively involved in the communities in which I live.” Madan is a professional pharmacist. Arora serves as Secretary on the Board of the Sikh Society of Minnesota, prior to which he has served various leadership roles such as Vice-President, Secretary, Director of Outreach, and other volunteer positions since 1996. His focus is on the operations of the Gurdwara (place for congregational prayers), communications, and developing the co-curricular and multifaith activities of the Society. He also coaches and performs Punjabi folk dance "Bhangra" at various community events to teach about and strengthen inter-community relations. He is often an invited guest speaker on Sikhism at various local education and religious institutions. Arora holds a Master’s degree in Technology and is a professional Senior Technology Manager in St Paul. To make an accessibility request, call Disability Resources at (651) 962-6315