Vincent Biondo III returned to teach at California State University, Fresno, this fall semester, after he served six months as a Fulbright scholar in Cardiff, Wales.
Biondo, 36, assistant professor of Western religious traditions in the department of philosophy at California State University, Fresno, worked out of the University of Cardiff, where he interviewed mainly Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders to better understand how interfaith cooperation plays a role in the prevention of urban violence.
In September, he gave a talk, “Yarmulkes, Hijabis & Red Dragons,” based on his findings. He believes it is important for religions to work together to benefit local communities.
The Bee caught up with Biondo to learn more about his experience.
Question: What motivated you to study models that can prevent urban violence?
Vincent Biondo III
Answer: There was urban violence in Los Angeles in 1992, following the Rodney King verdict. I was surprised to learn there was Christian/Muslim conflict in the post-industrial city of northern England, the areas surrounding Manchester and Bradford.
What are some of your conclusions?
In Cardiff, there were examples of successful interreligious cooperation. One was that religious leaders held regular meetings to discuss goals they held in common. They also worked to diffuse potential misunderstandings.
What is an example of how they handled a problem?
With the Danish cartoon controversy, there was rioting in Europe. The church in Wales and university newsletters were preparing to republish the offending images of Muhammad]. So the church leaders and university leaders all woke each other up in the middle of the night with personal phone calls and decided not to republish the images and hold instead informational discussions.
What are some practical ways that local religions can work together?
It is important for religious leaders to have open lines of communication. In addition, there are things that lay people can do to get involved. Increased education about your own religion and the religion of your neighbors can help communities to identify common goals. In Fresno, there are successful interfaith organizations that contribute to successful cooperation. The Ethics Center on campus holds informative lectures for the community, and the Interfaith Scholar Weekend brings leading professors here.
How important are religious studies programs in the United States?
Religious studies has become more important in the last 20 years because of the resurgence in religion. Religion plays a larger role in politics in the U.S. and the world. Sociologists in the 1950s thought the world was becoming more secular, especially during the Cold War. We’ve seen religion playing a more increased role in public life. It is important for understanding political issues as well as international relations.
How important are Islamic studies programs here?
Our knowledge of Islam is important because the world economy is more global. And because of immigration, the United States is more diverse.
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