Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
Religion and faith are important for millions of people worldwide. While ancient traditions can provide valuable beliefs and values for life, it can be hard to apply them to our lives today. And yet, weaving them into our days can bring benefits––greater meaning in life, more alignment between our beliefs and our actions, and deeper personal connection to our faiths and each other.
In Living Our Beliefs, we delve into where and how practicing Jews, Christians, and Muslims express their faith each day––at work, at home, and out in public––so that together we can see the familiar and unfamiliar in new ways. Learning from other religions and denominations invites us to notice similarities and differences––how much we have in common and how enriching the differences can be. Comparing beliefs and practices can prompt us to be more curious and open to other people, reducing the natural challenge of encountering the Other. Every person’s life and religious practice is unique. Join us on this journey of discovery and reflection.
Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
Discipline as a Necessary Struggle – Aaron Solberg
Episode 78.
Father Aaron Solberg joined me to talk about his personal experience converting from the Orthodox Judaism of his childhood and his current practice of Christianity in a remote Canadian village. These are experiences few of us have, so it's wonderful to hear his stories. Although Aaron is a priest, he is not speaking here as a representative of his Anglican church.
Highlights:
· Jewish practice seen as "legalistic," leading to feelings of obligation and guilt.
· Importance of structure and discipline.
· Appreciation for communal aspects of both Jewish and Christian services.
· Shift from fear-based obedience to love-driven practices in Christianity.
· Human struggle with discipline and imperfection.
Bio:
Father Aaron Solberg is an Anglican priest, composer, husband, and father living in the Canadian North. A convert from Judaism, he originally worked as a conductor and cellist in Germany before feeling a calling to ministry. After studying theology, he served in Baker Lake, Nunavut, (in the Canadian Arctic) and now leads St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the father of two young boys and writes about family life and faith, fostering a deeper understanding of spirituality within his community. In his free time, he focuses on writing and composing new music for various ensembles.
Social Media links for Aaron:
Website – www.thesolbergs.family
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theanglicanfamily/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theanglicanfamily
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@theanglicanfamily
Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Transcript:
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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/