What do Dune and Trenton United Have in Common?

 Neither sci-fi nor fantasy are genres of books or films which appeal to me, so the enthusiasm around the new adaptation of  Frank Herbert's Dune has largely sailed past me. Our daughter who has a strong background in film studies is eager to see it so we may as well -- someday. 

I was intrigued to read that Herbert wrote the original Dune novel in 1965 he included Arabic and Muslim motifs. In a Religion News Service piece Amir Hussain, a cultural critic and professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University. says that 

...as a kid growing up in the 1970s, he was personally drawn to Dune’s Islamic themes. “You have to understand, there weren’t Muslim ideas and storylines on television or in movies. Then, there was this book of science fiction that for myself, as a Muslim minority, I was able to see my culture, Islamic culture, as one of the sources for inspiration and being represented in a positive way.”

While we live in a much more multl-cultural society than the 1960's I have the sense that most of us have a limited understanding of Islam, and there are anti-Muslim stereotypes and fears which result in aggression and even violence from a few.

Next Wednesday I'll offer the first of two morning sessions through Trenton United looking at Muslim/Christians relations. After the cowardly murder of a Muslim family in London, Ontario in June of this year Canadians were shocked that this could happen in our country, even though there have been many incidents of Islamaphobia through the years.It seemed appropriate to delve into the historical and current relationship between religions and cultures. We 

We will use the United Church study document called That We May Know Each Other which was proposed in 1996 and developed in the early 2000's. As I've read it I'm impressed by how thorough and thoughtful it is and that this was first explored before the terrible events of 911. 

Once again, this will be a hybrid in-person and virtual study so you're welcome to join us wherever you may be. Here is the Trenton UC contact info: 

For the regular work and life and work of the congregation you can reach Rev. Isaac at imundy@trentonunited.ca or at 613 392 6001 ext. 22. 

Our Administrative Assistant, Catherine Lariviere can be reached Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at 613-392-6001 ext. 21 or at office@trentonunited.ca