Baha’is champion rationality and science as essential for human progress. The harmony of science and religion is one of the fundamental principles of the Baha’i Faith, which teaches that truth is one and that religion, without science, soon degenerates into superstition and fanaticism, while science without religion becomes merely the instrument of crude materialism.
Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Episode 22: Ruha Benjamin
Hello and welcome to the Baha’i Blogcast with me your host, Rainn Wilson.
In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick.
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Ruha Benjamin, a mother, a scholar, an author and associate professor in African American Studies at Princeton University, who writes and speaks about science and technology, race and inequality. Ruha and I talk about racist robots and the use of technology, the relationship between unity and justice, the Marshall Islands and the example of her parents, Star Trek, marriage as a soul growing machine, and how bringing about social change also needs to consider the spiritual reality of things. We also look at the importance of independent investigation of truth and the need to challenge our own assumptions, plus the wonderful example of Abdu’l-Baha and how He challenged the status quo. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
To find out more about Ruha Benjamin and some of the things we covered in this podcast, check out the following links:
* You can find out more about Dr. Ruha Benjamin and her work here on her website: www.RuhaBenjamin.com
* Ruha shares the following quote from Abdu’l-Baha: “Baha’u’llah once compared the coloured people to the black pupil of the eye surrounded by the white. In this black pupil you see the reflection of that which is before it, and through it the light of the Spirit shines forth.”
* Ruha mentions the Louis Gregory Institute: www.lgbi.org
* I mention a mutual friend named Jamey Heath, and you may enjoy one his songs on Baha’i Blog’s Studio Session series called “I Have Breathed Within Thee“.
* Ruha and I talk about the book ‘No Jim Crow Church’ by Louis Venters which can be found here on Amazon: No Jim Crow Church by Louis Venters
* I mention my non-profit in Haiti called called The LIDÈ Foundation, which you can learn more about here: www.lidehaiti.org
Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.
Ruha gives us so much to think about in this interview. Two things that I loved were her insights into the technology revolution – what is created and programmed (bots/algorithms, etc.,) – ultimately are stamped with the biases and perspectives and spiritual condition of who is doing the programming. Also, I loved her description of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a “disrupter” of convention. Thank you so much for these programs.
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Ruha gives us so much to think about in this interview. Two things that I loved were her insights into the technology revolution – what is created and programmed (bots/algorithms, etc.,) – ultimately are stamped with the biases and perspectives and spiritual condition of who is doing the programming. Also, I loved her description of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a “disrupter” of convention. Thank you so much for these programs.
Wandra Harmsen (February 2, 2019 at 9:37 PM)
We’re so glad you’re enjoying the blogcast, Wandra! Thank you for listening and for sharing your insights!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2019 at 10:56 PM)
Great conversation! Here’s to “the new normal” – and to the dynamic disruptions we have to undergo together to bring it about.
Keith J. Taylor (March 3, 2019 at 2:32 PM)