Society & Culture / Culture & Ideas / Religion & Faith

True vs. False Holiness: Religion's Shocking Battle with Change

Rowan Williams, Judith Wolfe, Vassilis Saroglou, Guy G. Stroumsa, Azza Karam

What truly defines "holiness" in a world constantly in flux? Dive deep into the European Academy of Religion's (EuARe) 2021 conference, "Religion and Change," where leading thinkers unmask the surprising truths about religion's struggle between timeless tradition and urgent adaptation.This video explores how religion navigates modern challenges—from pandemics to social evolution—revealing its inherent paradox. Is "holiness" a static ideal or a dynamic process? We uncover the critical difference between living tradition and rigid traditionalism, often at the heart of today's culture wars, as presented by **Rowan Williams**. Discover how technological 'progress' can outpace our spiritual capacity to 'dwell' and how end-time visions have secularized into modern political and tech ambitions, explored by **Judith Wolfe**.Psychologist **Vassilis Saroglou** reveals the deep cognitive and power-based reasons why religions resist fundamental change, often preferring 'adaptation' over transformation. We also examine the historical academic biases, discussed by **Guy G. Stroumsa**, that have shaped our understanding of religious categories, impacting how we perceive 'true' religious identity. Finally, **Azza Karam** highlights the vital role of multi-religious cooperation, emphasizing compassion and collective action as the true path to global resilience in an interconnected world.Prepare to challenge your perceptions of faith, progress, and what it truly means to be holy in the 21st century.