Sacred Arts in a Pluralistic Society

The creative visual, musical, literary, and performing arts help shape ideas and beliefs. Sometimes, art can communicate more quickly, powerfully, and universally than words can. Within spiritual traditions, arts express stories, attitudes, and emotions. Teachers use arts to introduce their traditions, express diversity, and create community. Politicians use the arts to communicate their relationship with religion. Religious critics and innovators use the arts to point traditions in new directions. At this conference, we will explore a broad understanding of religious and spiritual art.