>> HOW DO WE DEFINE FAITH?

IT BETTER DAYS ARE AHEAD.

HAWAI'I WITH SUN OF THE MOST RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE STATES NOTICE COUNTRY.

WHAT DOES FAITH IN HAWAI'I LOCK LIKE?

KAKOU, HAWAI'I'S TOWN HALL STARTS NOW.

>> Yunji: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO KAKOU: HAWAII'S 'TOWN HALL, LIVE FROM THE HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG MULTI-MEDIA STUDIO.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

FAITH IS SOMETHING MANY OF US FEEL -- EVEN IF WE MIGHT DEFINE IT DIFFERENTLY.

FOR SOME, IT'S ROOTED IN RELIGION: CHURCH, SCRIPTURE, OR PRAYER.

FOR OTHERS, IT'S MORE PERSONAL -- A QUIET STRENGTH, A DEEP SENSE OF TRUST, OR THE BELIEF THAT SOMETHING BETTER LIES AHEAD.

HAWAI'I IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE STATES IN THE COUNTRY -- AND ALSO ONE OF THE LEAST RELIGIOUS.

ACCORDING TO THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, MORE THAN 1 IN 3 ADULTS IN HAWAI'I IDENTIFY AS RELIGIOUSLY UNAFFILIATED.

AND YET, THE MAJORITY STILL SAY THEY BELIEVE -- IN SOMETHING.

OUR SPIRITUAL ENGAGEMENT AND BELIEFS SEEMS TO BE CHANGING.

PEW RESEARCH ALSO FOUND THAT IN 2014, 52% OF HAWAII ADULTS SAID THEY PRAYED DAILY.

10 YEARS LATER, THAT DROPPED TO 34% IN 2014, 62% OF ADULTS SAID THEY BELIEVED IN GOD OR A UNIVERSAL SPIRIT.

A DECADE LATER, 48% HELD THAT BELIEF.

DO YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN GOD OR BE PART OF AN ORGANIZED RELIGION TO HAVE FAITH?

WE SPOKE TO A VARIETY OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HONOLULU, AND ASKED HOW THEY DEFINE FAITH.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> TO ME FAITH IS JUST LIVING THROUGH LIFE THE WAY CHRIST WOULD WANT YOU TO.

>> IT'S A SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR.

EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE IT.

LIKE THE WINDS, IT'S THERE.

>> I'M AN ATHEIST.

I DON'T PRACTICE FAITH.

TO ME, FAITH IS WHAT YOU HEAR WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HAVING A LEAP OF FAITH.

WHEN YOU BELIEVE SOMETHING, WHEN THERE ISN'T SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.

SO I DON'T USE FAITH.

>> I FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU SIGH PEOPLE HELPING EACH OTHER AND LIKE SOMETIMES THROUGH -- SILENCE, TOO, FAITH IS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THAT.

>> FAITH SHOWS UP IN CHURCHES AND TEMPLES, YES -- BUT ALSO IN HULA HALAU, CLASSROOMS, THE OCEAN, AND MOMENTS OF STILLNESS.

STILL, FAITH IS SOMETHING WE CAN BE RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS -- ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SPACES OR MIXED COMPANY.

SO TONIGHT, WE'RE OPENING UP SPACE TO ASK: WHAT IS FAITH?

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

AND DOES IT MATTER?

KAKOU MEANS ALL OF US -- AND TONIGHT, ALL VOICES ARE WELCOME AS WE EXPLORE WHAT FAITH MEANS IN OUR LIVES.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU IN OUR DISCUSSION.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE'RE ALSO STREAMING LIVE AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND OUR YOUTUBE PAGE.

IN OUR TOWN HALL, WE HAVE FAITH LEADERS, EDUCATORS, SCHOLARS, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES -- EACH BRINGING A DIFFERENT LENS TO WHAT FAITH MEANS TODAY.

SOME REPRESENT LONG-STANDING RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

OTHERS COME FROM INTERFAITH OR SECULAR SPACES.

SO LET'S BEGIN• I WANT TO START WITH DOCTOR TAMARI ALBERTINI, A PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY AT U.H.

MANOA.

AS A PHILOSOPHER, HOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF FAITH?

>> WELL, IT'S OBVIOUSLY VERY COMPLEX, AND I WILL REVEAL A TRICK WE USE WHEN WE DEAL WITH A COMPLEX CONCEPT.

I THOUGHT I MIGHT CORRELATE FAITH AND TRUTH AND SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF IT.

LET'S SAY I HAVE FAITH IN MY SON.

I HAVE FAITH IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

I HAVE FAITH IN MY GOVERNMENT.

AND NOW IF YOU THINK OF TRUST, RIGHT, IT'S VERY CLEAR.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU THINK OF THESE PEOPLE, MY SON OR INSTITUTIONS AS INFALLIBLE.

IT JUST MEANS I TRUST THERE IS A GOOD POTENTIAL THERE.

THEY MAKE MISTAKES, BUT THERE IS STILL ENOUGH LEFT SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE A VERY GOOD SITUATION.

SO I FIND THAT THIS IS QUITE HELPFUL BECAUSE IT TAKES THE VAGUENESS OUT OF FAITH.

BECAUSE YOU TRUST SOMEBODY'S ABILITY, SOMEBODY'S POTENTIAL.

THERE IS A COME BACK.

THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENS TO RELIGIONS.

IF WE MEASURE IT THROUGH THEIR HISTORIC RECORDS, IT MAY NOT LOOK VERY GOOD.

IF WE THINK OF THEM ACCORDING TO THE BEST PERFORMANCE, TAKE SOMETHING LIKE LOVE OR COMPASSION OR MERCY, THEN YOU KNOW YOU CAN TRUST THOSE RELIGIONS AND YOU CAN HAVE FAITH IN THEM.

>> Yunji: THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL ANSWER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MOP GARY SECOR IS THE VICAR OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF HONOLULU.

SEVERAL TOLD US THEY FIND GREAT COMFORT IN THEIR FAITH.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> IT'S MORE OF A FEELING, I WOULD SAY, WHEN I'M AT CHURCH OR I'M IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

I DEFINITELY FEEL JUST LIKE A SENSE OF PEACE, AND GIVING ALL S THAT I DON'T HAVE TO KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS TO.

>> I FIND COMFORT IN, LIKE, BEING ALONE BECAUSE I'M NEVER REALLY ALONE IF I'M WITH GOD.

>> HOW DO YOU HELP SOMEONE FIND THAT PEACE THROUGH FAITH.

ESPECIALLY WHEN CERTAINLY IS OUT OF REACH?

>> WELL, OF COURSE FAITH IS BELIEF IN SOMETHING YOU CAN'T SEE.

I THINK IN MUCH OF OUR SOCIETY TODAY, THE ISSUE IS SEEING IS BELIEVING.

I WON'T BELIEVE IT UNLESS I SEE IT, BUT ACTUALLY FAITH TURNS OUT UPSIDE DOWN.

BELIEVING IS SEEING.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN YOU BELIEVE, THEN YOU BEGIN TO SEE THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

WHEN YOU HAVE A BELIEF SYSTEM, YOU SEE THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND EXPERIENCE THINGS, LIKE THESE FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Yunji: BELIEVING AND SEEING.

I LOVE THAT.

LEAD FAITH ACTION FOR COMMUNITY EQUITY.

HOW DO YOU SEE FAITH SHOW UP?

>> FOR ME FAITH BEGINS WITH PERHAPS NOT NECESSARILY DEFINING IT BUT WHAT DEFINING WHAT IT'S NOT.

TO ME FAITH IS NOT PASSIVE.

FEINT IS SOMETHING ACTIVE.

IT'S A LOT OF WHAT FAITH ACTION REALLY EMBODIES ITS MISSION.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS COMPELLED BY FAITH.

WE ACT JUSTLY AND SPEAK BOLDLY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN HAWAI'I.

THERE'S THIS ACTIVE RESPONSE TO FAITH I THINK IS SO CRITICAL TO UNDERSTANDING FAITH TODAY.

>> Yunji: THANK YOU.

REVEREND ERIC MATSUMOTO IS THE HEAD MINISTER AT AIEA HONGWANJI MISSION.

OFTEN SPEAKS OF A QUIETER FAITH ROOTED IN MINDFULNESS AND COMPASSION.

HOW DO YOU SEE FAITH PLAY OUT IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> I SEE IT HAPPENING WHEN I MEET A LOT OF OUR SO-CALLED MEMBERS, CONGREGATIONS AND HOW THEY GEAR INTERACT WITH OTHERS.

WE HOPE WE TRY TO HARMONIZE AND INTERAC TV WITH ONE ANOTHER IN A WAY THAT YOU RESPECT, I GUESS, THE INDIVIDUAL THAT YOU'RE INTERACTING WITH AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.

THEY MAY NOT BE ON THE SAME PAGE, BUT WE MUTUALLY DESERVE THAT RESPECT AND KINDANCE.

>>ANCE AHEAD OF THIS PROGRAM WE SPOKE WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THIS STOOD OUT.

ON THE OARED -- OTHER SIDE, I'D LOVE A FEW OF YOU TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> SECULAR HUMANNENNIZE IS A PLACE FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME.

NOT BASED ON FAITH, PER SE.

IT'S BASED ON THE IDEA THAT WE'RE HUMAN.

WE'RE ALL HUMANS AND IF WE GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR HUMANITY, WE HAVE A BASIS OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT MORALITY IS AND HOW TO LEAD A MEANINGFUL LIFE.

>> Yunji: THE ABSENCE OF TRADITIONAL FAITH IN THE WAY WE'RE DEFYING IT HERE DOES NOT MEAN AN ABSENCE OF A MORAL COMPASSION.

>> ABSOLUTELY -- COMPASS.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

PEOPLE WHO DON'T PRACTICE A FAITH ARE MAYBE THE BEST EXAMPLES OF MORALITY BECAUSE THEIR MORALITY IS NOT GROUNDED ON THE IDEA THAT SOME AUTHORITY FIGURE IS GOING TO PUNISH THEM IF THEY DON'T DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> Yunji: SCOTT KIDD IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HAWAI'I SECULAR SOCIETY.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.

CAN THAT SELF-TRUST AND INNER CONVICTION SERVE A SIMILAR ROLE AS A TRADITIONAL RELIGION OR FAITH?

>> IT CAN FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS.

SECULAR COMMUNITY IS VERY DIVERSE.

WE DON'T HAVE A FAITH-BASED RELIGION THAT DRIVES US SO WE DO FIND MEANING AND PURPOSE IN MORALITY IN OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE.

YOU BROUGHT UP THE SECULAR HUMANISM.

QUITE OFTEN, WHAT IS HUMANISM, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE WITHIN THIS WORLD, TO PRESENT HUMANITY AND COMPASSION AND EMPATHY FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO DON'T ALWAYS SHARE THE SAME VIEWS OR POSITIONS IN LIFE.

AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE WORLD CAME TO BE AND WHAT COULD BE AFTERWARDS.

SO THE ONE THING THAT HE REPRESENTS IS THAT PERSON, THAT PERSONAL TOUCH.

THAT INDIVIDUALISTIC ASPECT OF WHAT WE LOOK FOR WITHIN THAT SECULAR COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T GROUND THAT ON A FAITH IDEOLOGY BUT ON AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON, EXPERIENCE AND WE KEEP TA SEPARATION BETWEEN THE TWO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> Yunji: THANK YOU.

RABBI DANIEL LEV SERVING THE HONOLULU COMMUNITY.

RABBI, HOW DO YOU VIEW THE RELATIONSHIP THAT YOU HEARD, THIS IDEA BETWEEN FAITH AND MORALITY?

>> FAITH AND MORALITY.

IT'S FUNNY.

I'VE BEINGI'VE BEEN WORKING ON S QUESTION OF HOW DO WE DEFINE FAITH.

MOREMORALITY IS IN THERE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DEFINE.

FROM THE WORLD OF FAITH, WE CAN'T DEFINE IT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE IN THE WORLD OF FAITH, WELCOME YOU'RE IN THAT STATE, EVERYTHING'S -- CONNECTED.

DEFINING IS FROM THE WORLD OF INTELLIGENT, WHICH LOOKS AT DIFFERENCES AND SEPARATIONS AND THINGS DUALISTICALLY.

THIS IS THIS, WHAT IS THAT.

AND THAT'S FINE.

THAT'S HOW YOU FIX IN THAT WORLD.

>> BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN THE LEVEL OF FAITH, IT'S ON THE LEVEL OF JUST BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF DIVINE PRESENCE.

BUT IT'S NOT, I HAVE FAITH LIKE A COMMODITY.

IT'S FAITH IS ACTUALLY A DOING.

SO FAITHING.

SO WHEN FAITHING, WEATHER IT'S THROUGH PRAYER OR HELPING SOMEONE, I'M OPENING MYSELF TO THE CONNECTIVENESS AND ONENESS OF EVERYBODY.

A STORY OF THIS JEWISH MASTER WAS ASKED WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

ALL I SEE IS GOD.

WHEN YOU'RE ON THAT LEVEL OF FAITH, THAT ACTUALLY ALLOWS YOU TO SEE THAT EVERYONE IS WITHIN GOD.

>> Yunji: IT UNDER SOS VERY SLAYER IN ANOTHER WAY -- SIMILAN ANOTHER WAY TO WHAT PROFESSOR ALBERTINI WAS SAYING, FAITH IS TRUST.

THAT IS ONE WAY TO DEFIERCH IT.

NOW TO HAKIM HA LEAD THE MUSLIM SOAKS OF HAWAI'I.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HOLD-TO-YOUR FAITH WHEN YOU'RE A RELIGIOUS MINORITY LIKE THAT?

>> FAITH IS A LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD YALE ALMI.

BUT FAITH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO.

THERE'S A SAYING THAT SAYS [SPEAKING NATIVE TONGUE] ENGRAFFED IN YOUR HEART.

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE HAS FAITH.

THAT SPARK, THAT EVERYONE HAS IT ON EARTH.

AND THEN IT'S THAT SPARK THAT IS FUEL.

THAT FUEL COMES WITH DEEDS, WITH SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION.

AND IN ARABIC, FAITH IS IMAN AND ROOT WORD MEANS PEACE.

FAITH TO HAVE US IS TO FIND THAT INNER PEACE TO DISPLAY IT TO HUMANITY AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAITH, NOT EVERYONE IS AT THE SAME LEVEL OF FAITH.

>> Yunji: THANK YOU.

SO MUCH WISDOM IN THAT ROOM.

LET'S GO TO AARON SHUMWAY.

WE SAW IN THAT FIRST GRAPHIC, BELIEF IN GOD AMONG PEOPLE IN HAWAI'I IN THE TRADITIONAL SENSE OF FAITH HAS DROPPED OFF PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.

DOES THIS GENERATION ASK DIFFERENT QUESTIONS OR VIEW FAITH DIFFERENTLY THAN THE ONE BEFORE?

>> THAT'S A AGREE QUESTION IN THE SAME PEW RESEARCH STUDY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT 18 AND 24-YEAR-OLDS WHO IDENTIFY AS RELIGIOUS NONES, IN THAT SAME TIME PERIOD, IT'S EACH MORE DRAS TICK THAN HAWAI'I ADULTS.

ALMOST 44% NATIONWIDE DON'T IDENTIFY.

THEY SAY THEY'RE VERY SPIRITUAL.

THERE'S THIS TRANSITION AMONG A LOT OF THEM FROM ORGANIZED RELIGION TO IT'S JUST ME AND GOD.

WE FEEL THAT'S CONCERNING BECAUSE THERE'S BENEFIT TO BE GAINED FROM EXERCISING YOUR FAITH WITH FELT LOWE FELLOW BELO STRENGTHEN YOURSELF, STRENGTHEN OTHERS AND TO DO GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE LARGER SCALE.

>> Yunji: WHAT DO YOU ABBEAUT ABBEAUT -- ATTRIBUTE THAT CHANGE?

SOUNDS LIKES A TRANSFER.

>> I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT'S CAUSING IT, WHETHER IT'S THE RELINES RELIANCE MORE ONTOLOGY.

SEEING IS BELIEVING AND EVERYTHING IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES AND IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXERCISE FAITH.

THAT'S SOMETHING I WRESTLE EVERY DAY.

>> Yunji: HERE'S A LITTLE MORE OF WHAT WE HEARD IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> OH, IT'S SHAPED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER.

SO MUCH.

LIKE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL THE WAY TO NOW, BECAUSE I WAS IN A REALLY DARK TIME IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND JUST HAVING FAITH IN MYSELF, FOR EXAMPLE, PUSHED ME AND FAITH TO DO BETTER.

IT REALLY SHAPED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER AS I GREW UP.

>> FAITH, THIS PHENOMENON TO KEEP GOING AND NOT GIVE UP.

THAT'S FAITH TO ME.

>> I FEEL LIKE HUMANITY IS FALLING OVER, I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS.

ESPECIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE WORD AND STUFF AROUND THE GLOBE.

EVERYTHING'S LOOKING CHAOTIC.

I FEEL LIKE OUR FAITH IS FALLING.

>> Yunji: PASTOR TY IS A PASTOR AT NEW HOPE OAHU.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL FROM SOMEONE WHO FEELS THAT DISTANCE FROM THEIR FAITH?

>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THIS CONVERSATION AND FOR THE HONOR FOR US SITTING HERE TOGETHER.

I FIND IT A NEAT PRIVILEGE TO SIT WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF DUFORT DIFFERENT FAITHS.

I GOT TO SPEND SOMETIME WITH FOLKS.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU.

WHEN YOU ASK ABOUT FOLKS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR FAITH, I THINK ABOUT WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, I RAN AWAY FROM HOME.

MAYBE ABOUT EIGHT YEARS OLD, AND I DECIDED I'M GOING TO LIVE AWAY FROM MY FATHER'S RULES AND JUST BE INDEPENDENT.

BUT I GOT HUNGRY AND GOT HOME.

WHEN I GOT HOME, DAD'S TYPICALLY KNOW OF THAT INSURRECTION, THAT REBELLION.

I REMEMBER SITTING AT THE DINING ROOM TABLE READY TO EAT, AND I WAS GLAD THAT MY DAD NEVER REPLACED ME.

THERE WAS ALWAYS ROOM AT THE TABLE FOR ME.

I'M STILL HIS SON EVEN IF I WOULDN'T HAVE CALLED HIM MY DAD AT THE TIME.

HE STILL LOVED ME TO HAVE ME AS MY SON.

WHEN WE STRUGGLE WITH OUR FAITH, IT'S OKAY.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THERE'S A FATHER WHO WELCOMES US HOME EVEN IF WE STRUGGLE.

>> Yunji: THANK YOU.

NEW HOPE OAHU IS A NATIVE HAWAIIAN SCHOLAR.

YOU LEAD A GROUPS THAT CHANTS TOGETHER EVERY MORNING.

GROUNDED IN RADICAL ALOHA.

WHAT DOES FAITH LOOK LIKE THROUGH THAT LENSES?

>> IT'S ABOUT RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND LEARNING TO ACCEPT PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE AND WHATEVER RELIGION THEY COME FROM.

WE GATHER TOGETHER IN THE MORNING, AND IT SORTED STARTED DURING COVID WHEN PEOPLE WERE ISOLATED AND UNABLE TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH PEOPLE.

THE CLOSEST WAY I THOUGHT WE COULD MEET FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND DIFFERENT RELIGIONS IS TO CHANT.

SOME 67SOME OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN Z ARE ALL ABOUT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, LEARNING HOW TO BREATHE, BE CENTERED AND ACCEPTING PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY'RE AT IS HOW ALOHA IS EXPRESSED.

SO IDEA OF RADICAL ALOHA AND ACCEPTING PEOPLE THE WE DO THAT EVERY MORNING.

WE DO FIVE CHANTS A DAY AND THINK ABOUT EACH OTHER'S FAMILIES AND EACH OTHER'S COMMUNITIES.

AND IT REALLY IS RELATIONSHIP-BASED.

IT REALLY IS ABOUT ALOHA, WHICH IS ABOUT COMPASSION AND SHARING WITH ONE ANOTHER AND HOPING FOR THE BEST IN THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL.

AND ELEVATING THEM IN MAYBE THEIR GRIEF AND HELPING THEM THROUGH THAT.

IN SORT OF A NONJUDGMENTAL WAY.

>> Yunji: THANK YOU.

COREY CAMPBELL IS THE CEO CEO OF AKAMAI TRAINING & CONSULTING.

HE WORKS CLOSELY WITH INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS ON LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL GROWTH.

COREY, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T FIND FAITH IN TRADITIONAL SPACES, HOW DO YOU SEE FAITH IN ONE'S SELF AND OTHERS DOUGH UP IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS?

>> IMPOSTER SYNDROME POPPING UP.

I'LL NOT WHOLE MYSELF.

IN A LOT OF WORK I DO, IT'S ABOUT FINDING WHOLENESS IN ONE'S SELF.

>> UNDERSTANDING THERE'S LIGHT, GOODNESS AND ESSENCE IN EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

CHALLENGE IS THE ADVOCATION OFTEN COMES THROUGH OUR PARENTS.

AS CHILDREN WHAT DID WE LEARN?

SOMETIMES PEOPLE'S REACH FOR WHO THEY ARE GOES EXTERNAL, WHICH CAN BE SATISFYING AND GRATIFYING AND SOME GO, WHO AM I?

MAYBE THEY THOUGHT THIS IS WHO I NEED TO BE IN THIS WORLD AND COMING INTO AUTHENTICITY WITH WHO THEY ARE IN THE WORD.

>> Yunji: AARON TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE MAYBE MOVING AWAY FROM ORGANIZED SPACES TO SPIRITUAL SPACES.

SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN THAT REALM.

>> I LOVE THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.

WHAT IS FAITH?

AS YOU KNOW, I INITIALLY THOUGHT WHY AM I HERE?

TO START TO UNDERSTAND THAT FAITH, AS YOU SAID, MONSIGNOR, IS THE ABILITY TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING YOU CAN'T SEE.

MY HOPE IN MANY WAY IS PEOPLE CAN MERGE THOSE IF THEY WANT TO.

SOMETIMES THAT EFFORT GOES EXTERNAL.

WHEN PEOPLE REALLY START TO GO, I CAN HAVE THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, I CAN HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH MYSELF AND COMMUNITY.

I CAN FINDS A SENSE OF BELONGING AND WHO I REALLY AM AND HOW I WANT TO BE IN THIS WORLD.

EXPERIENCING THEIR OWN LIGHT.

>> Yunji: YEAH.

GO AHEAD.

>> I THOUGHT YOU WERE RAISING YOUR HAND.

I.

>> Yunji: I'M CURIOUS TO HEAR WHEN CHALLENGES COME, HOW YOUR FAITH HELPS YOU THROUGH THAT?

WE'RE AT A TIME, WHETHER IT'S POLITICALLY, PHYSICIAN FINANCIAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU FIND GREAT COMFORT IN FAITH.

HAKIM, WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT GIVES YOU, THAT MAYBE YOU WOULDN'T HAVE IF NOT FOR YOUR FAITH?

>> I THINK IN TIME, WITH WAR, DESTRUCTION AND GENOCIDE AND HUNGER AND ALL OF THAT, YOU DO FEEL SOMETIMES HELPLESS.

AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD ON TO SOMETHING GREATER, FOR ME THAT'S WHERE FAITH COMING IN.

I REMEMBER VERSES IN THE KORAN.

WITH HARDSHIP COMES EASE.

EVEN IN WAR-TORN COUNTRIESERS YOU SEE OTHER PEOPLE LOSING THEIR LOVED ONES IN NUMBERS AND SAYING TO GOD, WE SHALL RETURN.

THAT BRINGS SOME COMFORT.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE FAITH COMES IN.

ARE PEOPLE NOT BELIEVELING IN FAITH OR THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN THOSE WHO PROCESS TO BE FAITHFUL AND COMMITTED HAP HAIN YUS ACTSF DESTRUCTION.

YOUNG PEOPLE, WHEN THEY SAY THAT, THEY ASSOCIATE THEMSELVES WITH RELIGION.

SHIES THE PEOPLE.

IF THAT IS FAITH, I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF IT.

I WONDER IF THAT IS THE ISSUE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVERYONE THAT HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES WHAT FAITH SHOULD BE.

THAT INNER PEACE.

I WANT TO DO GOOD.

THAT'S WHAT FAITH TEACHES.

>> YUNJI, PERSONALLY, I HAD A MOMENT WHERE I HAD A BREAKUP, A RELATIONSHIP BREAK UP.

AND I WAS TOTALLY DEVASTATED.

STILL KIND OF YOUNG IN MY FAITH, BUT I HOPED HOPE -- OPENED UP AD I NEED YOU TO SHARE THIS PAIN WITH ME.

AND THAT HELPED ME GET THROUGH THE DIFFICULTY.

JUST KNOWING THAT THERE'S SOMETHING LARGER THAN THE LITTLE EGO ME.

IN HE HEBREW, NARROW MINDEDNESSD GOD IS OPEN MINDEDNESS.

I FELT THIS BASICALLY FEELING THAT I WAS NOT ALONE, AND SOME OF THAT CAPTAIN OFF OF ME.

THE WEIGHT CAME OFF OF ME FROM THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> Yunji: WHAT I'M HEARING THROUGHOUT IS THIS MOTION OF COMMUNITY, AND AARON, THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE SAYING.

VALUE OF FAITH TOGETHER.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE?

>> SURE.

THERE'S PART OF THAT TOGETHERNESS COMES FROM NOT JUST OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER BUT WITH THE DIVINE, DEITY.

THE CORE, THEOLOGY OF CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST PARTS WITH OUR PARENTS.

NOT JUST CREATION, NOT JUST LOVED BUT LITERAL SPARK OF THE DIVINE.

THAT'S WHY IN CHURCH WE CALL EACH OTHER BROTHER AND SISTER.

LITERALLY FEEL LIKE WE ARE.

IF WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE WAY WE TREAT NOT JUST EACH OTHER IN THE CONGREGATION BUT EVERYBODY HERE.

YOU ARE EMBEAUD WITH HUMAN DIGNITY.

WORTHY OF RESPECT, KINDNESS, LOVE.

AND SO IN THAT COMMUNITY, BOTH IN OUR DIFFERENT FAITH COMMUNITIES AND ALSO WITH EACH OTHER, IT'S A KAKOU THING.

>> Yunji: THERE'S THE QUESTION FROM THE AUDIENCE.

ISN'T FAITH THE OPPOSITE OF CURIOSITY, CRITICAL THINKING?

MONSIGNOR?

WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER?

>> I LIKE THAT INVITATION TO RESPOND BECAUSE I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT AFTER JESUS TALKED ABOUT THE TRUTH, PILOT SAID, TRUTH, WHAT IS THAT?

AND I THINK A KEY THING THOUGHTED IS -- TODAY IS PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN THAT IS TRUE U AND I THINK THE GREAT GIFT THAT IN ITS GOOD MOMENTS 7 THE CHURCH CAN PROVIDE, TRUTH IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CREATE.

IT'S SOMETHING YOU DISCOVER.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF I HAVE THE BURDEN OF HAVING TO CREATE MY OPEN TRUTH ALL THE TIME AND I THINK THE TRUTH IS BASED ON POPULAR OPINION ONLY OR ON POLLS OR WHO'S UP AND DOWN POLITICALLY OR WHATEVER, IT'S A LOST CAUSE.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE'S SOMETHING BEYOND OURSELVES, THAT WE CAN DISCOVER, THAT ALLOWS US TO COME 209 -- COME TOLD TRUTH,S GREAT CONSOLATION IN THAT.

THERE'S GREAT ITCH LESS IN THAT TOO.

TRUTH BECOME NOT SOMETHING THAT IS JUST SUBJECT TO THE WHIMS OF POLITICAL EX PEAD EXPEDIENCY BUT SOMETHING BEYOND OURSELVES THAT WE DISCOVER AND BELIEVE IN.

>> Yunji: REVEREND BAR ISN'T FAITH THE THE OPPOSITE OF CURIOY AND CRITICAL THINKING?

>> THERE IS SOMETHING THERE.

THERE IS SOMETHING UNIVERSAL ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN SHARING.

THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS COMMUNAL SENSE OF BELONGING, COMING TOGETHER THAT SEEMS TO BE UNIFYING AND IT REMINDS ME OF THE SENSE OF GOING BEYOND SELF.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE SELF-, RIGHT.

THIS PERSONAL SALVATION, ADVANCEMENT, AND YET WHAT FAITH ISN'T SINCE LARRY.

IT SHUZ SHOULD POSE YOU TO GO BD YOURSELF.

WE NEED TO STEM STEP OUT.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST OUR PRESERVATION.

IT'S WORLD PRESERVATION.

WE HAVE THIS DIVINE THAT CANNOT BE NATIONALIZED, AMERICANIZED.

WILL NOT BOW DOWN OR SOMEHOW GIVE ITSELF TO SOME NATION ON RELIGION OR POLITICAL PARTY BUT A DIVINE ONE THAT SAYS I'M FOR EVERYONE.

YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR ENEMIES.

THIS REMINDER THAT THIS GOT WANTS MORE OF US TO BE TOGETHER.

YET IT'S SORT OF LIKE THE DIVINE IS CALLING US AND WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP AND WE'RE DOING IT WAY TOO SLOW.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO A MUSLIM PHILOSOPHER.

HE'S A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THAT FAITH IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF SCEPTICISM AND CRITICAL THINKING.

HE WENT THROUGH A HORRIBLE CRISIS.

HE UNDERSTAND HE WAS PROBABLY THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON IN THE 87 EM PIRE, HE WAP WASN'T RY SURE.

HE COULD REPEAT THINGS BUT THAT'S NOT KNOWLEDGE.

HE COULD SAY WHAT PLATO SAID BUT DID HE VIII REALLY MOW?

HE REBUILT HIMSELF AND CRITICAL THINKING WAS PART OF THAT.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY AT ALL THAT FAITH IS THE OPPOSITE OF CRITICAL THINKING AND SCEPTICISM.

>> Yunji: SCOTT, GOING BACK TO WHAT WE HEARD FROM THAT GENTLEMAN WE TALKED TO IN THE COMMUNITY, THIS IDEA OF DO YOU NEED FAITH TO BE A MORAL PERSON?

BELONGING TO A ORGANIZED -- >> WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS NECESSARY.

WE DO LOOK AT EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY.

WE LOOK AT EXAMPLES THROUGHOUT HISTORY WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORALITY IN COMMUNITY AND WITHIN THE HUMANITY OF INDIVIDUALS OR PEOPLE AS A WHOLE.

FAITH OR A FAITH-BASED SYSTEM GIVES A DIFFERENT SET OF RULES OR GUIDANCE THAT WILL DRIVE YOUR MORALITY.

A SELF-DISCOVERY ASPECT OR COMMUNITY BASED TO TOUCH ON TO THE SCHEMISM VERSUS FAITH AS PENALTY, FOR -- AS PENALTY.

THERE'S A DIVIDE.

SCEPTICISM OR CRITICAL THINKING IS WHERE THEY LOOK FOR EVIDENCE, THEY LOOK FOR THINGS THAT WILL REINFORCE WHAT THEY CURRENTLY BELIEVE.

FAITH IS THE LOOK OF THAT REINFORCEMENTING LACK OF EVIDENCE.

LOOK OF DISCOVERY FOR WHATEVER IT IS YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR FAITH INTO.

THE TWO CAN BE SEPARATE BUT THEY CAN MERGE TOGETHER THROUGH THE DISCOVERY PROCESS.

SO WHEREAS ONE PERSON WOULD SAY TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH, AS YOU GET TO KNOW THAT PROCESS, IT BRIDGES THAT GAP.

YOU'RE DEVELOPING THAT TRUST.

>> Yunji: COREY, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU PIGGY PAC ON THAT.

WE CAN FIND FAITH IN OTHER THINGS.

>> WHAT I'M PROCESSING IS MUCH OF THIS IS A SENSE OF BELONGING.

MAYBE ME THINK I LOST MY BROTHER.

MY PARENTS ARE VERY RELIGIOUS.

I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THEIR CHURCH.

THAT GROUP RALLIED AROUND THEM, LOVED THEM, TOOK THEM THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE.

I REMEMBER THINKING, WHERE WOULD I GO IN THIS MOMENT OF LOSS AND NEED, AND I RELIED ON MY FRIEND.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU HAVE FAITH BECAUSE YOU CAN GO TO CHURCH AND BE WRAP IN AND LOVED IN THIS CONGREGATION.

WHERE DOES SOMEONE WITHOUT FAITH GO?

YOU HAVE TO FIND IT.

THERE IS NO ANSWER.

FOR YOU, WHAT DO YOU NEED?

LIFE IS HARD AND YOU NEED A COMMUNITY AROUND YOU.

>> Yunji: RIGHT.

THAT GOES BACK TO YOU, PASTOR, TO THIS IDEA THAT YOUR FATHER HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE 6 THERE'S A SEAT IN YOUR CHURCH, WHETHER YOU'VE DRIFTED AWAY OR NOT.

BUILDING ON WHAT COREY WAS SAYING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT ARMS AROUND YOU AND WHAT THAT DOES FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THEY HAVE THAT TO FALL BACK ON.

>> THERE'S A SCRIPTURE WHERE JESUS IS TALKING TO HIS DISCIPLES AND PETER.

LORD, WE LEFT EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW YOU.

AND WHEN JESUS SPEAKS TO HIM, HE SAYS TO PETER SINCE YOU'VE LEFT EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW, YOU'LL HAVE -- BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND YOU HAVE THAT ON THIS SIDE OF ETERNITY, NOT ON THE OTHER SIDE.

WE'LL THINK OF OUR FAITH AS JUST POURING INTO THE OTHER SIDE OF ETERNITY.

WHEN WE FOLLOW HIM TOGETHER AS A FAMILY, WE GET FAMILY HERE ON THIS SIDE OF ETERNITY.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT STORY.

IT'S ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE CHURCH CAN PUM PULL TOGETHER AND BRING LIFE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

I FOWMTIOND FOUND THAT PERSONALY LIFE.

ONE OF THE GREAT PROMISES JESUS MAKES, WE AS A CHURCH GET TO KEEP FOR HIM.

I THINK I'M -- I'LL END WITH TH.

>> Yunji: WHAT COREY WAS SHARING THIS IDEA IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TRADITIONAL CHURCH OR TEMPLE, WHERE YOU FIND THAT COMMUNITY.

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE THAT WITH THE FIVE CHANTS.

HERE IN HAWAI'I IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE OUR CULTURE IS SO ROOTED, OUR VALUES ARE ROOTED IN THIS CONCEPT OF ALOHA.

WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

WE GREET EACH OTHER WITH HUGS AND LEI AND GIVE EACH OTHER THE BEST OF OUR INTENTION AS WE MEET.

ALOHA AND HOW THOSE TWO INTERTWINE.

>> WHILE COREY WAS TALKING, I THOUGHT OF HULA HALAU.

IT'S LIKE A CHURCH.

YOU GO TO THE DOOR, ASK FOR PERMISSION TO GO IN.

WELCOMED IN AND DANCE HULA.

YOU'RE WITH OTHERS.

LIKE FELLOWSHIP.

I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

AND I ALSO THOUGHT ABOUT GROWING UP IN HAWAI'I, AND BACK IN THOSE DAYS, IT WAS A PLACE THAT WAS VERY MIXED INTO THE SUGAR PLANTATION ERA, SO EVERYONE WON'T TO EVERYBODY ELSE'S CHURCH AND TEMPLE.

THAT'S JUST WHAT IT WAS BACK THEN.

I GREW UP IN A CATHOLIC HOME.

HALF OF US WERE MORMON.

WE WOULD GO IN THE MORMON HOUSE BUT WE ALSO HAD SHINTO SHINES.

AND WE WOULD BE INVITED BY THE HAWAIIANS TO CREATE THE IMU.

EVERYBODY WAS WELCOMED.

THAT CROSS POLLINATION, IF YOU WILL, OF INTERACTING WITH EVERYONE.

INSTILLED THE PRACTICE OF ALOHA.

IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND SO MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES THAT IT SORT OF IT VIII THE REALLY THE N OF HAWAI'I.

SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S REALLY THE RELIGION OF HAWAI'I, IS THAT WE HAVE THIS COMPASSION, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ALOHA MEANS.

ALSO MEANS TO ACKNOWLEDGE OTHERS AND RECOGNIZE SOMEONE FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE.

IF YOU YOU DISAGREE, IT'S OKAY.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT GIVES MANA ECALLINGLY TO -- EQUALLY.

ALLOWING OTHERS TO HAVE THEIR PLACE AND SPACE.

>> Yunji: BEAUTIFUL.

ERIC, HE SAYS ONE THING I DON'T CARE FOR ABOUT ORGANIZE THE RELIGIONS WHEN THEY TRY TO RECRUIT ME.

BUDBUDDHISM PRETTY MUCH DOES NOT RECRUIT.

>> I THINK WE'RE PRETTY MILLED.

MILLED -- MILD.

[LAUGHTER] SQUINTGENTLE PERSUASION.

WE'RE HERE FOR NINES ANYONE WHOS TO PUR PURSUE WISDOM AND COMPAS.

WE WON'T GO OUT AND FORCE ANYONE.

IT'S NOT FORCING SOMEONE TO COME TO THE TERM.

TERM -- I ALWAYS SAY WE DON'T WANT TO FORCE ANYONE TO BECOME BUDDHIST.

IF YOU HAVE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS.

THAT RIGHT NOW YOU'RE PART OF THE TRADITION, WE'D LIKE TO GUIDE, OFFER GUIDANCE AND HAVE THEM MAKE THE CHOICE.

BUT FIRST, HAVE THEM INVESTIGATE THAT CRITICAL THINKING.

IN THE BUDDHIST TRADITION, TOO, WE DON'T WANT TO BE SCEPTIC BUT THERE'S A LIFE IN THE HISTORIC BUDDHA WHERE THERE WAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE SCEPTIC.

AND WHAT THE BUDDHA SHARED WITH THEM WAS TO C CRITICAL THINKING.

PLEASE LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS ARE SHARING, AND THEN IN THAT MOMENT, TRY TO THINK VERY DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT IS BEING SAID.

NOT TO TAKE ONLY THINGS ON HERESAY OR FAITH, TO SO SPEAK.

DEEPLY REFLECT AND SO FORTH.

THAT IDEA OF CRITICAL THINKING, THERE IS A PLACE FOR IT IN BUDDHISM BUT HOPEFULLY WE MOVE ON TO NEXT LEVEL WHERE WE REACH THE REALM OF WISDOM AND COMPASSION.

>> Yunji: SIMILARLY, THERE ARE LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO CASUALLY INTERACT WITH BUDDHIST SPACES.

BON DANCE, AND PEOPLE COME TO YOUR TEMPLE FOR NEW YEAR'S FOR BLESSING.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THAT I WOULD SAY TO TOUCH FAITH AS OPPOSED TO BE MORE DEEPLY OF A CONGREGATION OR TEMPLE?

>> OFTEN RAISED QUESTION, IS BUDDHISM A RELIGION, IS IT A PHILOSOPHY OR WAY OF LIFE, ET CETERA.

I WOULD SAY YES.

[LAUGHTER] ITIT ENCOMPASSES ALL OF THAT.

FOR OTHERS IT MIGHT BE CULTURAL, LIKE PRACTICE LIKE THE BON DANCE.

FOR OTHERS THE A WAY OF LIFE.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE TEM PEM TO LISTEN TO THE DARMA.

IT COULD BE A WAY OF LIFE.

LEARNING SOMETHING FROM HOME FROM GRANT 2K3WR57B GRANDMA.

>> Yunji: MONSIGNOR, THERE'S A QUESTION.

DOES QUESTIONING YOUR BELIEFS WEAKEN THEM OR STRENGTHEN THEM?

>> THERE'S A LATTEN PHASE.

FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING.

NOT MEANT TO BE JUST BLIND FAITH.

MEANT TO BE CHALLENGED AND EXPLORED AND DEEPENED THROUGH DISCUSS.

IN OUR BEST TRADITIONS AS CHRISTIANS AND CATHOLICS, THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

THERE ARE MANY GREAT SCIENTISTS, MENTION AND WOMEN OF FAITH.

EVEN IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TODAY WE HAVE QUITE A BIG INVESTMENT IN THE VATICAN, FOR EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE A PLAN PLAN PLANETARIUM.

ONE OF THE LEADERS, I HEARD RECENTLY.

I HEARD SOMEBODY SAID THE LEADER OF THE PLANETARIUM WAS ANSWERING THE QUESTION, COULD ALIENS BE BAPTIZED?

THERE THERE WERE.

THEY SAID, OF COURSE THEY WOULD BE.

THOSE QUESTIONS COME UP.

ARE THOSE WORDS COMPALTABLE WITH OUR FAITH?

I THINK SO BECAUSE GOD IS SOMEONE.

>> Yunji: LET'S GO BACK TO THAT SECOND TRAFFIC, 102.

IDEA OF DAILY PRAYER.

IN 2014, 52% ADULTS IN HAWAI'I SAID THEY PRAYED ONLY A REGULAR BASIS.

2024, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO 34%.

WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN, DEFAULT TO PRESSURE.

PROFESSOR, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> I'M NOT REPRESENTING ANY OF WORLD RELIGIONS HERE.

IN MY PRIVATE LIFE I'M CATHOLIC OF.

I DON'T THINK THE PERCENTAGES ARE TELLING.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT PEOPLE MEAN BY PRAYER.

RITUALIZED PRAYERS.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT PEOPLE WHO DON'T -- WOULD DO DO THE ISLAMIC PRAYER BY THE BOOKS.

THEY DON'T PRAY.

THEY MAYBE THEY'RE USING THEIR OBSERVE OBSERVE VASE AND WORDS.

IT'S UNIVERSAL FOUR HUMAN BEINGS.

WE WILL OFTEN PRAY.

IT COULD BRE BE IN NATURE.

COULD BE WATCHING A SCENERY.

COULD BE A SENSE OF RAW AND REVERENTIAL.

I HOPE MONSIGNOR GARY WOULD AGREE THAT CAN BE A PRAYER.

>> OF COURSE.

>> Yunji: COR COREY.

>> AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO PRAY GROWING UP AND DOESN'T ANYMORE, I WANT TO OFFER A SPACE TO -- SITUATION TO THE PANEL.

I WAS VISITING IN VIRGINIA.

THIS WOMAN WAS TELL ME A STORY ABOUT HOW HER SON PASSED AWAY IN A CASH WRECK.

SHE WAS SCARED HE-FOUND GOD BEFORE HE DIED.

SHE WAS SO THANKFUL HE FOUND GOD.

THAT WAS THE MALE.

IN MY MIND SHE WAS LIKE, I'M GLAD GOD HELPED HIM.

IF GOD COULD, WHY COULDN'T GOD HELP HIM NOT HIT THE TREE?

THAT'S WHY THE QUESTIONS ARE TRICKY TO ANSWER.

IT'S SEEKING FOR ME PERSONALLY, I TURN TO THE UNIVERSE.

IF WE CAN'T DESCRIBE WHY BAD THINGS HAPPENS.

I'LL CURIOUS WHATTED WHAT THE PM 24EU7BS?

>> IF SO MANY BAD THINGS HAPPEN AND BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, WE'RE SO MUCH MORE AWARE OF THE NEGATIVITY.

TO COREY'S POINT, REALLY BAD THINGS HAPPEN.

WHY CAN'T GOD STOP THEM?

I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO ANSWER THAT.

>> UNIVERSAL QUESTION.

>> Yunji: HOW WE WRESTLE WITH THAT AND HOLD FAITH IN THAT CONTEXT?

>> HERE'S WHERE FAITH GETS REALLIES REALLY PERSONAL.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRY TO HELP OUR STUDENTS DO IS TAKE A STEP BACK AND ANALYZE THEIR FEELINGS WITH ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE.

TO THINK BIGGER PICTURE, GOD'S PLAN FOR US TYPE OF THING.

AND LOOK AT THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT'S BASED ON.

WHY DOES GOD LET BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

WHY DIDN'T HE PREVENT THE CAR ACCIDENT?

THAT'S BASED ON ASSUMPTION THAT SUFFERING IS BAD.

THAT GOD SHOULD STOP.

IF GOD COULD, HE SHOULD STOP ALL SUFFERING.

WHEN WE HELP OUR STUDENTS AND LOOK FOR A BIGGER PICTURE, SAY, OKAY, IN THE MOMENTS THAT I'VE SUFFERED, THEY'VE BEEN GROWING MOMENTS.

THEY'VE ALLOWED MY FAITH TO BE TESTED THE WAY A MUSCLE IS.

TO SEE THAT IN THIS FALLEN WORLD, AS YOU SOMETIMES HEAR IN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY, THINGS LIKE THIS WILL HAPPEN.

AND THERE ARE -- EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T SAY GOD COULD HAVE STOP IT.

IF I TOOK THAT APPROACH AS A PARENT, THEY WOULDN'T RIDE BIKES, GO TO SCHOLAR SKOL SCHOOO ANYTHING.

I MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED, BUT THERE'S SOMEBODY WHO DOES.

JESUS CHRIST DID SUFFER FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS.

NOT JUST SINS BUT PAINS, SORROW, TEMPTATIONS.

GOING BACK TO TRUST.

I'LL TRUST HIM IN THIS MOMENT EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T MAYBE SENSE.

>> Yunji: RABBI?

>> WHAT A QUESTION.

I USED TO WORK AT THIS HEBREW SCHOOL.

THEY HAD A BIG PARKING LOT AND HAD A BIG CROSS.

THE CHAIN HAD FALLEN AND A CAR RAN OVER A CHILD.

AND THE RABBI WAS TRYING TO COMFORT THE PAR PARS.

PAR PAR PARENTS.

HE SAID THIS, IT'S TOUCHED ME.

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR NAMES FOR GOD.

ELOHIM AND HASHEM.

ELOHIM REPRESENTS THAT ASPECT OF GOD THAT IS -- OH!

THINGS HAPPEN LIKE THAT.

AND HASHEM IS THIS COMPASSIONATE ASPECT.

HE SAYS I CAN'T EXPLAIN WHERE YOU CHILD DIED.

THAT IS ONE ASPECT OF WHAT HAPPENING IN THE UNIVERSE.

MAYBE IT'S THAT ELOHIM.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THE COMPASSION IN UR COMMUNICATE AND YOURSELF.

>> IF YOU FEEL CONNECTED SPISHTDUAL -- SPIRITUALLY TO A BEING.

THAT'S A HARD THING TO HAPPEN FOR ANYBODY.

LIKE I SAID EARLIER BEFORE WHEN I HAD MY BREAKING JUMP, IT HELPED ME GET THROUGH.

LIFE WILL SERVE THESE THINGS, AND THAT'S PART OF LIFE.

>> Yunji: HAKIM, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> YEAH.

WHEN IT COMES TO CASES LIKE THAT, THE KORAN REFERS TO DEATH AS CALAMITY OF DEATH.

IT'S HEAVY.

ALSO FOR THE MOOSE MUSLIMS, PEOO DIE THROUGH DRAWNING -- DROWNIN, ACCIDENT, THEY ARE GUARANTEES PARADISE.

TO GOD WE BELONG AND ON TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN.

FOR THIS CHILD, IS IT GOOD FOR HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE THAT HE DIED IN AN ACCIDENT, OR WOULD HE LIVE AND DO BAD DEEDS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

IT'S NEVER EASY TO LOSE A CHILD THAT'S YOUR HEART.

WE SEE IT EVERY DAY.

IT'S HEARTBREAKING, THEY'RE NOT EVEN OUR CHILDREN WHEN YOU SEE THAT.

DYING OF FAMINE OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

SOME WE HAVE TO SEPARATE ACTS OF PEOPLE FROM ACTS OF GOD.

WE SHOULD NOT BE JUDGING RELIGIONS BASED ON WHAT PEOPLE DO.

GOD OR FAITH IS THE MOST MERCIFUL.

IF AN ACT IS CREATED OF GOD, IT MUST BE COMPASSION.

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT SEPARATION OF REALLY ASSOCIATING BAD THINGS ALWAYS WITH GOD, SOMETHING WE DO.

WE HAVE FREE CHOICE.

SOMETIMES WE CHOOSE THE WRONG PATH.

SOMETIMES WE CREATE AN ACT OF EVIL.

WE HAVE TO 13R5EU9 SEPARATE THA.

TO GOD WE SHALL RETURN.

I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT STORY.

>> Yunji: REVEREND, DO YOU MAKE THAT SAME DISTINCTION BETWEEN GOD AND THE ACTS OF MAN?

>> YEAH, THAT'S FASCINATING TO PUT IT THAT WAY.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE REALITY OF LIFE.

SOME THINGS WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS FOR, AND THAT'S OKAY.

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO SIT IN THAT SPACE BUT THAT'S SORT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

I CAN'T SPEAK ABOUT WHO WENT TO HEAVEN AND WHO GOT SAVED.

THAT STUFF IS BEYOND ME.

WHAT I COULD DO IS BE PRESENT FOR THE MOTHER LIKE YOU WERE.

I THINK YOU WERE SHEPHERDING, BEING A CHAPLAIN TO THIS INDIVIDUAL.

LISTENING TO THE STORY.

THAT'S THE DEEP SPIRITUAL THING I WOULD SAY IS MORE MEANINGFULIL THAN HER SOUTHERN GOING -- SON .

IT'S OKAY TO BE AMBIGUOUS.

THE MOMENT WE THINK WE KNOW IS I THINK THE BIGGEST TURNOFF TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

GOD LOVES YOU.

GOD IS WITH YOU AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

I'M GOING TO WALK WITH YOU IN THIS JOURNEY.

THAT'S ALL I CAN DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AS A PASTOR, AS A FATE LEADER.

>> Yunji: COREY, IN MA IN THAT MOMENT, KNOWING YOU YOU SHOW UP WITH COMPASSION.

MAYBE YOU DON'T SAY GOD LOVINGS YOU BUT I LOVE YOU.

>> TOTALLY.

I FEEL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEEP FAITH, RELIGIOUS FAITH THEY'RE LUCKY.

I'VE BEEN IN THAT SPACE AND I CHANGED.

IT'S DIFFICULT.

SOMEONE IS UP THERE PROTECTING ME.

IN THAT MOMENT, WITH MY PARENTS, I NEVER BRING UP CONTEMPORARY OPINION.

I'M GLAD THEY HAVE THAT FAITH.

I WISH I HAD THAT FAITH.

WE TALKED ABOUT CONCRETE VERSUS SCEPTICISM AND FAITHS.

I'M STRUGGLING.

THIS DUMB DOESN'T LINE UP.

THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT FAITH.

>> Yunji: SCOTT, I WANT TO BRING YOU IN.

>>ER.

>> TO HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, A TRAGEDY WHERE A DEATH IS ALWAYS LIKE -- YOU QUESTION WHY.

IT DRIVES PEOPLE TO QUESTION FAITH AND THEIR BELIEFS.

MOST PEOPLE WHO LEFT FAYE FAITHD JANED THE SECULAR COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT WAS CAN BE SO HORRIFIC AND MOVING THAT IT FORCES THEM TO QUESTION WHETHER THERE WAS A GOD THAT WOULD ALLOW SUCH SUFFERING.

FORCES THEM TO COME TO THIS CONCLUSION OF I CAN NO LONGER PUT MY FAITH IN WHAT WOULD BE A HIGHER POWER THAT WOULD ALLOW SUCH THINGS TO OCCUR.

IF THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO PREVENT THAT.

IF WE COULD CREATE THE PERFECT UTOPIA.

HELP US GROW AS PEOPLE.

DOES THAT ADVERSITY HAVE TO BE SO HORRIFIC AND GUT WRENCHING AND DEVASTATING TO WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY AND NATURE AND ALL.

WE LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE OF THE WORLD, AND THERE'S A LOT OF SUFFERING IN THE WORD.

WORLD.

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE SUFFERING, WE'D ALL BE VEGANS, EATING PLANTS AND HANGING OUT HAVING A GREAT TIME.

LION DOESN'T THINK ABOUT THE ANTELOPE.

I NEED TO EAT.

WE LOOK AT THAT AS PART OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

THE SUFFERING WE EXPERIENCE AS HUMANS AND LIVING CREATURES EXPERIENCE IS JUST PART OF THAT RANGE OF EMOTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

WE'RE NOT ALL ROBOTIC.

WE HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF EMOTIONS DRIVEN BY OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

IT DOES MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHY DOES THIS HORRIBLE ACCIDENT, THIS HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE HAVE TO HAPPEN AND WHAT AM I GOING TO GET OUT OF IT?

>> ISN'T THAT BLAMING GOD FOR ACTS OF HUMANS?

>> IT WOULD COME DOWN TO THE REALM OF GOD IS POWERFUL AND EVERYTHING IS IN THIS WORLD IS CREATED BY GOD, EVERYTHING IS A BYPRODUCT.

>> Yunji: IT'S GOD'S FAULT.

>> NOT NECESSARILY FAULT.

SYSTEM THAT WAS CREATED.

WORLD THAT IS CREATED IS BASED ON GOD'S PERSPECTIVE, AND SINCE WE CAN'T KNOW THE MIND OF GOD, YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT IS.

AND WE IN THE SECULAR WORLD WOULD SAY, THIS DOESN'T SIT WELL WITH US.

>> Yunji: A NUMBER OF YOU WANT TO TALK.

DR.

NEW HOPEDOCTOR.

>> I WANT TO OFFER THE IDEA OF HOLAIONA.

IN YOUR STORY, COREY, I HEARD THE MOTHER FOUND AND REINFORCED HER OWN FAITH WHEN SEE SAW THE BIERNL THAT CAME -- BIBLE THAT E OUT OF THE CAR.

IT WAS ABOUT HER SENSE OF RELEASE AND RELIEF THAT HERSON DID EVENTUALLY FIND A SENSE OF RELIGION.

THAT'S REALLY THE BASIS OF THE STORY.

IS THIS MOTHER WHO, ALTHOUGH IT'S A TRAGIC LOSS, SHE DID FIND HE DID FIND GOD.

THERE'S SOME RELEASE AND FAITH FOR HER TO CONTINUE ON.

WE LOOK TOWARDS HOAILONA IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TO FIND THINGS THAT CONNECT US TO WHATEVER THAT IS THAT'S BIGGER THAN US.

I KIND OF HEARD THAT IN YOUR STORY.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

>> Yunji: PROFESSOR, I WAS WONDERING WHETHER WE SHOULD ADD HOPE TO OUR CONVERSATION.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PAIN AND DESPAIR.

*EVERY RELIGION HAS DEEP CONNECTION TO 235*EU89 FAITH AN.

IN CHRISTIANITY, HOPE, 235*EU89 235*EU89 -- FAITH AND CHARITY.

I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN A PHILOSOPHER'S PERSPECTIVE.

IT'S FROM EMANUEL, 18TH, 19TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHER.

HE FELT IT WAS HIS MISSION TO MAKE HUMAN BEINGS THINK OF THEMSELVES PRIMING MARELY AS BEING RATIONAL.

HE BRINGS HOPE INTO THAT.

AMONG THE FAMOUS QUESTIONS IS WHAT DO I KNOW?

WHAT DO I OUGHT TO DO AND WHAT MAY I HOPE.

TO KEEP IT BRIEF, HE ENDS YOU SAYING THAT IT IS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO NUR TOUGH HOPE.

IF YOU DON'T, YOU STAND IN THE WAY OF MORAL ORDER.

WE NEED TO KEEP THAT HOPE GOING.

IT BECOMES SOMETHING VERY 87 ONY POWERING.

IT PRESERVING HUMAN DIGNITY.

IMAGINE LOOKING AT SOMEONE IN DESPAIR AND TALKING AND SAYING, YOU'RE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING.

IN THE WAY OF MORAL ORDER, I DON'T THINK ANYONE WITH A HEART COULD DO THAT.

BUT POSITIVELY SEEN, I LIKE THE CONVICTION.

THAT WE ARE TO NURTURE HOPE DESPITE THE ODDS.

>> Yunji: I DO LOVE THAT.

THERE'S A QUESTION HERE, I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO TAKE THAT AND RESPOND.

CAN YOU TRULY HAVE FAITH IF YOU'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PROO??

FROM JUNO.

>> ULTIMATELY, NOT SCIENTIFIC, NO.

FAITLEFAITH IS ABOUT SOMETHING U CAN'T SEE.

WE NEED TO BE SEEKING EVIDENCE.

IT CAN NOT BE PROVEEN.

WE WERE TALK ABOUT DEATH.

HERE'S THE THINGS.

WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING THE RACE OF LIFE, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT YOU KNOW WHERE THE FINISHLINE IS?

IN MY YOUNGEN DAYS, I USED TO DO RUNNING.

YOU RUN 10K OR A MARATHON, YOU RUN IT TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

IF YOU'RE YOU'RE RUNNING THE RAF LIFE, YOU NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE FINISH LINE IS.

IF YOU THINK IT'S THE -- IF YOU THINK IT'S BEYOND THIS LIFE, YOU LIVE LIFE A DIFFERENT WAY.

IN THE EARLY CHURCH, THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THIS HE REFUSED TO COMPROMISE THEIR BELIEF OF CHRIST.

I WAS AT THE COLISEUM LAST WEEK.

THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS DIED AS WELL AS OTHERS.

THIS CAUSED 9 CHURCH TO GROW.

ROMANS THOUGHT THEY WOULD EXTINGUISH CHRISTIANTY.

IT HAD THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.

THEY BELIEVED THE FINISH LINE WAS NOT IN THIS WORLD.

>> I LOVE ERIC FOR YOU TO RESPOND.

IN BUDDHISM YOU BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION, AND KARMA.

YOU UNDERSTAND.

IF THE FINISH LINE IS REINCARNATION AND ULTIMATELY NOT HOW DOES THAT CHANGE HOW WE BELIEVE, DO YOU THINK?

ULTIMATELY ENLIGHTMENT.

>> THERE ARE SOME TRADITIONS THAT DO BELIEVE SPEAK OF REINCARNATION.

IN MINE WE DON'T SPEAK TO MUCH TO REINCARNATION.

MORE LIKE TRANSPORTATION TAKING PLACE.

I'M ENLIGHTENED ENOUGH TO BECOME ENLIGHTENED.

IN MY HONGWANJI TRADITION DON'T USE THE WORLD REINCARNATION TOO MUCH.

THE IDEA OF HOPE, FOR ME PERSONALLY, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING ALMOST ESSENTIAL FOR PEOPLE.

THAT WE DO HAVE HOPE, AND I'LL SHARE TODAY FROM THE HONGWANJI PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT I'LL NOT POAFNG.

-- PERFECT.

VERY LIMITED.

OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN, THE EMPHASIS IS THERE IS THIS COMPASSION WE REFER TO AS AMIDA BUDDHA.

THE PRIMARY OBJECT OF SO-CALLED SALVATION.

ON GEN OF COMPASSION IS THE PERSON FAULTY AND I CAN'T, YOU KNOW, BE AT A LEVEL WHERE MY MORALITY OR MY GOODNESS WILL ENABLE ME TO ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMENT.

REACHING OUT TO ONE AND ALL.

ALL INCLUSIVE.

AND ALL INCLUSIVE WISDOM DOESN'T EXCLUDE THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT -- THERE ARE LIMITED AND SO FORTH.

IN PARTICULAR, PROVIDES THAT HOPE OR OPTIMISM.

WE'RE ALL HEADED IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION DUE TO THE WORKINGS OF GREAT COMPASSION.

>> Yunji: LOVELY COMMENTING.

NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE FAITH IN, THE IMPORTANT THING IS WE HAVE FAITH.

LIFE WITHOUT FAITH IS EMPTY.

THAT'S A PRETTY NICE COMMENT, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SORT OF WE'RE DISCUSSING HOW WE DEFINE IT.

AARON, I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THAT ON.

LIFE WITHOUT FAITH IS EMPTY.

DO YOU THINK LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU HAVE FAITHS?

>> IT HAS BEEN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

FOR MANY PEOPLE OF MANY RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS.

I REALLY RES NATE WITH SOMETHING MOSES SAID, HAKIM SAID IT.

FIRST PROPHET OF CHURCH OF JEEZ CHRIST, FAITH IS OF ACTION AND POWER.

IT INSPIRES YOU TO, IF YOU HAVE FAITH IN GOD, YOU'LL WANT TO LOVE YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BUILDINGS.

MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN AND STAND WITH THOSE WHO COMFORT.

THAT DEFINITION OF FAITH BECOMES PART OF WHO WE ARE OR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE.

UPWARD FOCUSED AND OUTWARD FOCUSED.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT JESUS SAID.

IT'S HARD TO FOCUS ON MY PROBLEMS WHEN I'M TRYING TO SEE WHO I CAN SERVE.

I NEEDS TO DO IT MORE.

I'M BLESSED WITH PEOPLE WHO SERVE THE ME.

MY DAD TELLS A STORY OF BEING AT AN AIRPORT, AND A PASTOR FROM ANOTHER JUN RELIGION.

ONE MEMBER OF FAMILY WAS STRUGGLING.

CAN I PRAY FOR HER?

PLEASE.

HE WAS HAPPY.

FELT VERY EMPOWERED BY THE PRAYER OF ANOTHER PERSON ON HIS BEHALF.

>> Yunji: PASTOR, FAITH OF AN ACTION AS OPPOSED TO PASSIVE EXPERIENCE.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE EQUATE FAITH WITH BEING INTELLECTUAL AGREEMENT.

NOT LIKE IF I THINK THIS CHAIR WILL HOLDS ME UP, I MIGHT THINK IT WILL HOLD ME UP, BUT UNTIL I ACTUALLY SIT IN IT, IF REQUIRES FATE TO PUT MY TRUST IN IT.

TAMARI MENTIONED FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE FOR THE CHRISTIAN BELIEF.

AND ALSO WITH GARY MENTIONING KNOWING THE FINISH LINE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEE FAITH WILL ONE DAY BECOME THE SEAM.

HOPE WILL ONE DAY BE DONE.

LOVE WILL CONTINUE ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

KNOWING THE FINISH LINES, FOR THAT MOM WHO LOST A SON, IF SHE'S PUTTING HER FAITH IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND HER SON DID, THEY'RE GOING TO BE TOGETHER IN ETERNITY.

AND THAT PAIN THEY EXPERIENCED WHEN SHE WAS SEPARATED FROM HIM IN THAT MOMENT, IT LSH IT WILL A DISTANT MEMORY AT SOME POINT.

AS KIDS MAYBE WE RODE OUR BICYCLE AND FELL DOWN AND SKINNED OUR KNEES AND IT HURT LIKE CRAZY.

WORSE PAIN.

BUT 30, 40 YEARS LATER, IT'S BARELY A MEMORY.

SO IF WE'RE PUTTING OUR FAITH IN THE LORD AND IF WE'RE RIGHT, THAT WE ENTER INTO ETERNITY AND WE'RE TOGETHER FOREVER AND LOVE REMAINS, THEN THAT THE WORST PAIN WE ESPECIALLY ENDURE NOW WA DISTANT MEMORY.

>> Yunji: A CALLER SAYS IF EVERY RELIGION TEACHES LOVE, WHY DO PEOPLE IN FAITH STILL STRUGGLE TO UNITE?

>> WOW.

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU COULDN'T GIVE IT TO THE PRIEST?

[LAUGHTER] >> I THINK WE ARE TONIGHT.

RIGHT HERE.

YOU KNOW.

I'M NOT SAYING WE BELIEVE THE EXACT SAME THING, AND I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS BEFORE WE GOT INTO THE A. WE FEEL CONNECTED.

IF YOU'RE VIII REALLY TAKING THT POSITION OF FAITH AS OPENING TO EVERYONE, WHETHER THEY'RE YOUR PARTICULAR RELIGION OR NOTERS THEN THAT OPENS UP THAT CONNECTION TO EVERYBODY ON SOME LEVEL.

EACH OF US IN OUR OWN WAY WILL OUTREACH, AND WHOEVER GAVE THIS QUESTION, THEY CAN BEGIN TOO.

THEY CAN CONNECT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT AND GET TO KNOW THEM 78 BECAUSE WE'RE ALL PEOPLE.

THE JEWISH THING, ONE ASPECT IS WE'RE DOING OUR WORK HERE IN THIS WORLD.

IN THIS WORLD, THIS IS WHY FAITH IS CREATE THE.

AND SO PART OF THAT IS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT.

>> Yunji: HAKIM, WHAT ARE YOU THOUGHTS?

IF EVERY RELIGION TEACHES LOVE AND COMPASSION, WHY DO PEOPLE WITH FAIL STRUGGLE TO UNITE?

>> GO TO THE JEWISH GUY AND MUSLIM GUY?

[LAUGHTER] >> WHEN RABBI WAS TALKING, IT REMIMEDS ME, WE HAVE MADE YOU INTO NATIONS AND TRIBES.

WE DON'T KNOW ONE ANOTHER.

UNTIL WE DO THAT, IT'S GOING TO BE A DISCONNECT.

THAT'S ONE.

NUMBER TWO, I DON'T THINK THE ISSUE THAT GIN RELIGIONS ARE NOT UNITED.

I BELIEVE IT'S THE POLITICIANS AND USING FAITH FOR POLITICAL AGENDA TENDS TO DIVIDE US.

IT'S SAD TO TO SEE IT, BUT A LOF PEOPLE ARE USING FAITH IN A WAY TO DIVIDE US.

THIS VERSUS THAT AND THAT ONE VERSUS THIS.

FAITH AND PRINCIPLE, LOVE EVERYONE, IT WAS EVERYONE.

BE FIND, GENTLE AND HONORABLE.

REMEMBER THATTH THAT GOD IS WATG YOU.

ALL OF THAT, THAT TO ME IS WHAT UNITES US.

LOVE AND COMPASSION.

>> I DO BELIEVE THE POLITICAL ASPECT WORLDWIDE, IT'S DIVIDED US IN A WAY THAT IT'S TERRIBLE.

GIVES A BAD LESSON TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOUNG PEOPLE, YOU SHOULD QUESTION AND ASK AND SEEK KNOWLEDGE AND ALL OF THAT.

SO MY BROTHER THERE AND I, DEFINITELY ARE UNITE THE.

WE LIVED GENERATIONS, HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN HARM ANY BUT THE POLITICAL ASPECT, IN MY VIEW, TENDS TO DIVIDE US, AND THAT'S THE SAD PART.

>> Yunji: TO CHECK THE BOX, I HAVE TO GO TO MONSIGNOR.

[LAUGHTER] >> AT THE LAST SUPPER WHEN JESUS WAS PRAYING, IT'S INTERESTING.

HE PRAYED, FATHER I PRAYED THAT THE WORLD -- HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

EVEN CHRISTIANITY WOULD BE DIVIDED BECAUSE THERE IS AN EVIL, CERTAINLY EVIL IS THE RESULT OF PEOPLE'S BAD BEHAVIOR.

THERE IS AN EVIL ENTITY, IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I ALONG WITH OTHER PRIESTS, I HATES TO TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE CONSTANT ME- CONTACT ME FOR HELP.

WE GO TO PSYCHOLOGIST AND SCRYINGSES, THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT IS INDEPENDENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.

EVEN THOUGH YOU SAY TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND PSYCHOLOGY.

I BELIEVE DEVIL IS ABOUT DIVISION.

TAKE THE WORD DIABOLICAL.

IT'S ALL ABOUT DIVISION.

YOU GET PEOPLE DIVIDED.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO EVIL, YOU'VE WON OVER HALF THE BATTLE.

WITHIN THEMSELVES DIVIDED.

WE HAD THIS BIG PROBLEM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

PRIESTS THEY HAD THEIR CHURCH FACE AND OTHER FACE WHERE THEY WERE ABUSING CHILDREN.

HOW CAN THAT BE?

HORRIBLE.

BECAUSE EVIL IS EXERCISING ITS INFLUENCE.

IT'S THEIR CHOICE TOO.

THEY'RE TOTALLY LIVING DIVIDED LIVES.

WHENEVER YOU LIVE A DIVIDED LIFE, YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.

WHENEVER YOU'RE ACTING OUT THINGS.

THAT'S THE ISSUE.

IT'S WHY WE AREN'T ONE YET BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE'S SOMETHING WORKING APART FROM US.

I HATE TO SAY IT.

OUR TRADITION BEARS IT OUT.

WE CAN'T IGNORE IT.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT COMPLETELY, BUT I KNOW IT EXISTS.

I'VE SEEN EVIDENCE OF IT.

>> Yunji: BACK TO WHY WE'RE HERE TONIGHT.

COREY, AND SCOTT, THERE'S A QUESTION.

CAN FAITH EXIST WITHOUT BELIEF IN A HIGHER POWER?

I WONDER HOW YOU TACKLE THAT?

>> WELL, YES AND WHAT'S RESONATING IS PSYCHOLOGISTS NOW WE LIVE IN NEG TV TEVTY BIAS.

CONFIRMATION BIAS.

I WILL SEEK INFORMATION THAT I KNOW TO BE TRUE AND FILTER WHAT DOESN'T.

IT'S A DIVISION OF HOW YOU WANT TOLY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.

>> IF YOU WANT TO LIFE YOUR LIFE WITH FAITH, YOU GET TO.

YOU BELIEVE IN FAITH.

IF YOU CHOOSE, I DON'T WANTS TO BELIEVE IN THIS, YOU WILL FIND UNFORTUNATE THAT YOURSELF IN CONFIRMING.

WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS?

IS IT THE 458 HALAU, IN CHURCH?

YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BELIEVE IF YOU CHOOSE.

>> I BELIEVE IN YOU, COREY.

LAV.

[LAUGHTER] >> I DO TOO.

>> Yunji: IN HAWAI'I WE HAVE THIS SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE AND THE NATURAL WORLD.

>> THAT CAN BE YOUR CONFIRMATION.

SOMETIMES IN MY WORK IT'S NOT LABELED GOD.

IT'S LABELS NATURE.

A BELIEVE SYSTEM THAT CAN EXIST.

UNRELATED TO RELIGION OR NOT.

>> Yunji: SCOTT, CAN FAITH EXIST WITHOUT BELIEF IN HIGHER POWER?

>> I THINK IT IS.

CAN.

THIS IS IS SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED WITH SOME OF OUR NONFAITH-BASED, NORTHERN NONREL.

CAN FAITH EXIST WITHOUT HIGHER POWER?

FAITH IN PEOPLE.

FAITH CAN EXIST IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ALIGNED TO DEITY, SOME HIGHER POWER ASPECT.

I HAVE FAITH THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM IS A GOOD PERSON AND THEY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER AND HUMANITY.

I HAVE FAITH EVERYBODY HERE WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING.

WE ARE HUMANS.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT BELIEF IN A HIGHER POWER BUT STILL HAVE FAITH IN HUMANITY, YOU CAN STILL DO GOOD THINGS, COMING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

ONE THING THAT GETS TALKS ABOUT IS THE FINISH LINE.

FOR SECULAR PEOPLE, WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING BEYOND THE FINISH LINE.

WE DO BELIEVE IN THE PRINCIPLE LIVE A GOOD LIFE, DO GOOD DEBTEDS AS A PRINCIPLE TO HUMANITY.

ALSO PARALLEL TO A HIGHER POWER AND BELIEF THAT SOMETHING IS WAITING FOR YOU BEYOND THAT.

WE'RE STILL COMING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND DOING THE RIGHT THINGS FOR EACH OTHER.

WE CAN TAKE THE DIVISIONS AND HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ENOUGH THOSE OUT OF OUR DIFFERENCES MAKE US UNIQUE BUT SHOULDN'T DRIVE US APART.

GREET MEETING HAKIM AND RABBI.

ALL THESE THINGS THAT BROUGHT UT TOGETHER.

I WOULD NOT HAVE MET ALL OF YOU HAD CHUCK NOT REACHED OUT.

>> Yunji: ONE THING THAT COREY SAID THAT RESONATED, PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF ORGANIZED JUN RELIGN ARE BLESSED BECAUSE THEY HAVE THAT COMMUNITY.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IS PERFORMER AND HAS SIX CHILDREN.

I ASK MY HUSBAND, HOW DID SHE DO THAT?

SHE HA THE CHURCH.

WE'RE ALL SEEKING COMMUNITY IN A WAY.

MAYBE THAT IS SORT OF HOW WE'RE DEFINING FAITH TONIGHT.

>> FIRST COMMANDMENT IS LOVE GOD AND SECOND IS LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.

WHEN WE TRY TO LIVE THAT WE HAVE SIX CHILDREN, MY WIFE AND I. HOW DID YOU DO IT?

[LAUGHTER] AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SO BEAUTIFUL.

GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY, SOMETIMES YOU HEAR PEOPLE, I DON'T GET TOO MUCH OUT OF IT OR I WAS OFFENDS OR DIDN'T DO MUCH FOR ME.

THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU GO TO HONGWANJI OR MASS OR WHATEVER AND SAY, WHO NEEDS HELP?

WHO'S SITTING ALOIN?

WHO CAN I INVITE TO DINNER?

HOW SMELLS LIKE TOBACCO SMOKE?

I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU WORSHIP.

THINKING OF OATH.

>> Yunji: DOCTOR, CAN WE REPLICATE THAT COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN OTHER SPACES IF WE DON'T HAVE A TRADITIONAL SPACE TO BE IN IN?

>> I THINK I WOULD CALL MYSELF A KNEE ROW NEOTRADITIONALLIST.

TRYING TO MAKES IT APPLY TO US IN THIS MODERN ERA.

NOT SO MUCH VALIDATED BUT HAVE VALUE.

MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHTS, I HAVE A LOT OF THOUGHTS.

AS I'M LISTENING THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

OUR HAWAIIAN WORD FOR GOD IS AKUA, AND THE WAY WE TRAPS TRANE AKUA, SOMETIMES PEOPLE IMMEDIATE SAY GOD.

IT ALSO MEANS THE NATURAL PHENOMENA.

RAIN, STAR, SUN, ANYTHING THAT GIVES LIVE IS CONSIDERED AKUA.

IF WE'RE LIVING IN -- WE CAN FORMULATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE NATURAL PHENOMENA AND FIND FAITH IN THAT, KNOWING THAT THOSE THINGS WILL BE THERE AND MAYBE THE RITUAL AND CEREMONY IS CONTRIBUTING.

WITH THIS NATURAL PHENOMENA THAT MAKES ME FEEL, MAYBE THIS IS MY FAMILY MEMBER OR THIS IS MY AN ANCESTOR SO I DON'T FEEL ALONE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE DISCONNECT IS HAPPENING FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY CAN PLUG INTO AN ORGANIZED RELIGION.

IS THIS LONELINESS.

AND THEIR NEED FOR A TRIBE TO FIND A TRIBE OR FIND SOME FAVORITE OR FIND FELLOWSHIP WITH PEOPLE.

IT'S REALLY ES TO BE ICE ISOLAT.

>> Yunji: REVEREND?

>> I THINK THINKING OF MARTIN LUTHER.

DR.

KING.

DR.

KING HAS THIS STATEMENT THAT SORT RESONATING WITH ME TOAD.

SAYS THAT FAITH IS TAKING THE FIRST STEP, EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T SEE THE WHOLE STAIRCASE.

TO ME IT'S SORT OF THIS -- DR.

KING WAS ASSASSINATEDDED, BUT HE LIVED WITH THIS MORAL KIND OF LIKE FORCE.

HE LOOKED AT FAITH AS THIS MORAL FORCE.

HE BELIEVED THAT JUSTICE WAS GOING TO PREVAIL.

LOVE WAS GOING TO WIN.

THINGS THAT HE -- HE WASN'T ABLE TO SEE IT.

IF WE LOOK CLOSE LOOK CLOSELY, E WORLD IS BEING HEAL.

>> COMING BACK TOGETHER.

WE SORT OF HAVE THESE FEEDS AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHAT WE WATCH AND CONSUME.

IF YOU MET PEOPLE AND HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM, FOR ME, SEE CHRIST IN EVERYONE.

MY COS MOL CHANGED OVER THE YEAR.

HOW DO I LIVE NOW HERE?

LIFE NOW BEFORE DEATH?

SO THAT.

>> YOU SOUND SO JEWISH.

[LAUGHTER] >> Yunji: PROFESSOR.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ADD WE ALL HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES AND MEMORY, RIGHT, OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND CHURCHES AND MOSQUES AND TEMPLES AND CIG GOCS.

ONE DANGER, MINE.

MY CHURCH, MY MOSQUE, MY SAY CRID SPACE, MY TRADITION.

I THINK THAT ACCOUNTS FOR SOME OF THE VIOLENCE AND CONFLICTS WE'RE LOOKING AT WORLDWIDE.

IRANIAN ABE UNDERSTANDING THIS Y SPACE.

I WILL KILL TO PROTECT IT.

ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

THE POINT IS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU REALLY THINK, IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SACRED SPACE, IT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU.

YOU WITH JUST THE STEWARD.

NOT THE ONE WHO WILL CONTROL IT.

AND GO THE HAWAIIAN WAY.

LIKE KALEI WAS SAYING, CATHOLICS GO TO SHINTO SIM TEMPLES AND ITS POROUS.

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT IDENTITY.

I BELONG TO IS LAM.

I BELONG TO LUTHERAN CHURCH.

BUT I BELONG TO.

I DO NOT OWN IT.

AND IT BECOME POROUS.

AND I THINK THAT HELPS.

WE CONTINUED TO BECOME POSSESSIVE, IT'S MINE.

NO.

VERY DANGEROUS.

>> Yunji: HAKIM, DO YOU THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES?

1% OF HAWAI'I ARE MUSLIMS.

ARE THERE ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR FAITH AND HAVE THESE CROSS CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS?

>> WE DON'T ACTIVELY SEEK TO CONVERT PEOPLE.

IS LAM IS THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN THE WORLD.

BUT WE DON'T SPECIFICALLY TRY TO CONVERT PEOPLE.

I THINK WORTH TO MEMBERS THAT MN THAT MOST OF THE WARS ARE POLITICAL WARS.

IT BRINGS ME COMFORT.

AND IN A QUESTION EARLY ABOUT FAITH, EVERYBODY HAS FAITH IN SOMETHING.

ULTIMATE FAITH IS WITH THE CREATOR.

LIKE IF YOU BUY SOFTWARE.

YOU HAVE FAITH IN YOUR PROGRAMMERS.

YOU HAVE FAITH WITH THAT WHO CREATED THE PROGRAM.

HAVING SAID THAT, KAUA'I HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE OF BEHAVE HAVEN FOR MIN.

ALL THE PEOPLE ARE MINORITIES.

ALL HAVE THE SENSE OF ALOHA AND LOVE AND COMPASSION.

WE WITNESSED THAT AN 9/11.

HAWAI'I WAS A SAFE HAVEN FOR US.

WE'RE BLESSED TO BE HERE.

>> Yunji: COREY.

>> WHAT I'M FEELING IN THIS ROOM IS LOVE.

BEST WAY TO DEFINE FAITH IS LOVE.

LOVE REQUIRES NONJUDGMENT.

I WALKED INTO THIS ROOM THINK, DO I BELONG?

LOVE RIDES ABOVE ALL FAITH.

WE'RE TRYING TO COMMUNICATE IS HOW DO WE LOVE EACH OTHER AND BRING LOVE IN THIS WORLD?

FAITH IS JUST LOVE.

>> Yunji: PASTOR, WHERE ARE YOU LANDING WITH THAT?

>> WELL, AS I'M LISTENING TO MY FRIENDS HERE, I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGING THINGS ABOUT WHY THERE'S NOT MORE UNITY IS BECAUSE WE DISAGREE.

WE CAN BE FRIENDS, WE CAN BE KIND BUT WE PASSIONATELY DISAGREE ABOUT OUR BELIEFS.

AND IF ONE OF OUR BELIEFS IS RIGHT, SOMEBODY IS WRONG.

THAT'S THE CHALLENGING PART.

CAN WE STILL LOVE EACH OTHER AND THINK SOMEONE ELSE IS WRONG?

SURE.

CAN WE BE KIND?

SURE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE BELIEFS AND FAITH THAT WE HOLD ON TO, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME DIFFERENCES AS WE GO.

YEAH.

I THINK THE IDEA WITH FAITH BEING EQUIVALENT TO LOVE, IT'S SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT.

>> Yunji: YEAH.

>> IN THAT OUR FAITH -- LIKE I SAID, IT CAN BE DIFFERENT.

LORD GIVES US THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSES WHAT WE BELIEVE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE A COMMON THREAD TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

YEAH, I THINK THERE IS STILL GOING TO BE SOME DIVISION BECAUSE WE BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY.

>> Yunji: AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LEAVE US.

>> Yunji: MAHALO TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS TONIGHT, AND TO YOU AT HOME FOR BEING PART OF THIS CONVERSATION.

FAITH CAN BE COMPLEX, PERSONAL, EVEN ELUSIVE -- BUT IT ALSO CONNECTS US.

AS WE EXPERIENCE THE IN THIS ROOM AND HOPEFULLY AT HOME.

WHETHER IT'S FOUND IN TRADITION, COMMUNITY, NATURE, OR WITHIN OURSELVES, FAITH HELPS GUIDE HOW WE LIVE, HOW WE LEAD, AND HOW WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

WE HOPE TONIGHT'S DIALOGUE OPENED SPACE FOR REFLECTION -- AND A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDING.

KAKOU WILL TAKE A BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS, BUT INSIGHTS WILL CONTINUE ON THURSDAY NIGHTS.

NEXT WEEK, WE'RE DIVING INTO A BIG MOMENT FOR HAWAI'I STUDENTS: SURFING IS NOW AN OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SAFETY, ACCESS, AND HONORING TRADITION?

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES, UNTIL NEXT TIME.

ALOHA AND GOOD NIGHT.