In the heart of Park City, Utah, at the St. Regis Deer Valley a unique gathering took place. Journalists and scholars convened to discuss a topic that resonates deeply with many: the role of religion in shaping politics and public life in America. This event, organized by Josh Good through the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program, was a significant stop for Kalpana Jain, senior religion/ethics editor at The Conversation, after her time as a visiting researcher at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Jain’s journey from Malaysia to Utah was not just a physical one. It was a voyage of self-discovery, a quest to understand where she belonged. Having immersed herself in the rich tapestry of religious traditions across Malaysia, she found herself grappling with the same question that underpinned the conference: How do we find meaning and belonging in a world where traditional sources of moral orientation are declining?
Religion as a Bridge Between Worlds
The conference set out to explore the intricate ways in which religious communities and convictions influence politics and public life. Yet, beneath the surface-level discussions lay a deeper, more profound concern: the human need for meaning and belonging. Richard Parker, a professor at Harvard Kennedy School, set the intellectual framework for the discussion. He argued that religion serves a deep human need by helping people make sense of themselves and the world around them.
Drawing on the work of sociologist Peter Berger, Parker explained that human beings create meaning in their world—the nomos—through language, relationships, stories, and shared obligations. This framework forms the foundation of how we should live. However, we also confront the cosmos the physical world that exists outside us. Religion, Parker suggested, acts as a bridge between the nomos and the cosmos, connecting everyday life to deeper, existential questions.
The Role of Religion in Modern Society
Through prayer and rituals, religion helps people find meaning in the face of uncertainty. It ‘stills our fear of being alive’ and ‘stills our fear of being alone,’ Parker noted. Even in secular societies, religion remains important because it provides sources of moral purpose and hope. This argument resonated deeply with Jain, who drew parallels with the Hindu concept of dharma. Dharma, often loosely translated as religion, encompasses ethical living and one’s obligations to family, society, nature, and the world beyond oneself.
Jain’s experiences in Malaysia and her participation in the Utah conference highlighted the universal human quest for meaning and belonging. As she reflected on her journey, she found that the search for belonging is not unique to her. It is a shared human experience, one that transcends borders and cultures. The conference in Utah provided a space for journalists and scholars to explore this shared experience, to understand the role of religion in shaping politics and public life, and to grapple with the deeper questions of meaning and belonging.
The Search for Belonging
Jain’s time in Malaysia was a journey of discovery. She visited sacred spaces associated with a wide range of traditions—Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Christian. Each space offered a unique perspective on the human quest for meaning and belonging. As she returned to her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, parts of her seemed to remain behind. Like many immigrants who live between worlds, she found herself asking: Where do I belong?
This question was still with her when she arrived at the St. Regis Deer Valley in Utah. The conference provided a platform for journalists and scholars to explore the ways in which religious communities and convictions shape politics and public life in America. Yet, beneath the discussions of religious disaffiliation, religious identity, and the coming midterms lay a deeper concern: the search for meaning and belonging when many religious sources of moral orientation are declining.
Jain’s journey from Malaysia to Utah is a testament to the power of religion in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it. It is a reminder that the search for meaning and belonging is a universal human experience, one that transcends borders and cultures. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, religion continues to play a vital role in helping us make sense of ourselves and the world around us.
