Westchester Reporter

Local Leaders of Faith Hosted Discussion on Religion and the Human Body

In a spirit of peace and mutual understanding, local religious scholars and leaders representing Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and Catholic faiths led a panel discussion titled "Religion and the Human Body" at Wayside Cottage in Scarsdale, NY. The Interfaith Community Event drew a diverse audience from various faiths and ethnicities who participated in thought-provoking group discussions about the relationship between the spiritual and the physical.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer stated: “Interfaith events like this are important because they exemplify the healthy state of mutual respect and understanding that is core to what our Westchester community is built around and what makes it so strong – and why it’s so important to support its continued growth. Westchester is committed to fostering open dialogues and mutual understanding between all faiths.”

The discussion, moderated by Marilyn Walker, Ph.D., a specialist in the history of Islam, focused on exploring connections between our physical and spiritual worlds. This approach allowed attendees to use their real-life experiences as a frame of reference to better discuss their spirituality.

Westchester Director of Policy & Programs for Faith-Based & Urban Communities Crystal Collins remarked: “It was an honor to be asked to deliver the opening prayer. Truly, it was wonderful to see how engaged the room was discussing the different ways our spirituality intersects with our being human – and because of the openness and respect in the room, it allowed for a better understanding of different perspectives.”

To learn more about Westchester’s Interfaith Community Organizations or upcoming events, contact Crystal Collins at 914-995-2926.

The event was organized by The Westchester Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the American Jewish Committee for Westchester and Fairfield.