The Centre for Cultural Renewal is the only institute of its kind in Canada. We exist to do something very important: to explain the importance of religions to culture and the importance of culture to religions. The place and importance of religion is no longer understood or appreciated in our society or in many western societies. At the Centre we know this to be a serious problem and we are here to do something about it. Our work involves people who "think outside the box." Our work is often seen as unique. Consequently, we offer the following as a guide to what we do and why we do it.

In the short time since it began, the Centre has accomplished a great deal. We have applied both our expertise and the experience of many leading thinkers to a variety of issues in Canadian society. Crossing the disciplines from politics, religion, education, the media, arts, philosophy and law, many people have laboured to make our unique project a reality.

Many well-intentioned projects from within religion fail to engage our culture. Either they do not appreciate that religions and culture are necessarily related, or they use a language that does not communicate to those beyond their own communities. Cultures involve different aspects: law, politics, medicine, education, religion, business, science, the arts, media – these and other sectors all engage the central questions of beliefs. Often those involved in contemporary analysis are not aware that they are engaging beliefs. They fail to raise in ways that can be discussed what vision of "the common good" is implied by this or that policy or decision. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

We aim to challenge both the retreat from culture and the retreat from religion. And we aim to do in ways that are articulate and effective. Just as it took a long time for us as a society to get into the situations we now find ourselves in, it will take time to implement solutions. There is no "quick-fix." Each step forward requires careful attention to principles appealed to and the  language we use. We need to create what we call "a language of engagement." The Centre has offered some analysis on some key language about modern culture over recent years: "tradition," "traditionalism," "renewal," "secular," "belief," "unbelief," "pluralism," "multi-culturalism," "equality," "self-esteem," "virtue," "freedom," "liberty" and "values."

A project that seeks to illustrate the connections between religion and culture cannot be merely reactive to cultural developments. It must have some initiative, build contacts, and develop a plan. The Centre has all of these. When we analyze a situation our goal is to describe it with a view to making constructive prescriptions. Our popular legal analysis Lex View is an example. No diagnosis is of any use without the ability to make prescriptive suggestions. It is only through deep reflection on culture and constructive work that there can be renewal.

There are common questions for all citizens, including those who would call themselves "religious believers." On such questions we have a common cause. For example, respect for the role of parents in the education of their children is a question that concerns all citizens. How can arguments that defend and promote this role of parents be made so that a pluralistic and multi-cultural society can understand them? Parents with religious beliefs want both their children and their religious communities to be treated fairly. In respect of curriculum and other issues such as funding, they want to have their voices heard. The arguments that underlie such concerns are not concerns of just one religious group alone and, therefore, must have a place in law and politics, and education. What is needed is a solid, respectful, inter-faith perspective that can show that what often passes for non-religious neutrality is often anything but neutral.

There are organizations with larger budgets and mailing lists than the Centre for Cultural Renewal. But as one highly placed observer recently commented, however, "The Centre for Cultural Renewal is an organization whose influence is much greater than its profile – for many groups, it is the other way round" (Dr. Paul Reed, (Carleton University), Senior Fellow, Centre on Governance (University of Ottawa), Senior Social Scientist, Statistics Canada). To see other comments click here.

The Centre for Cultural Renewal thinks outside those favorite boxes of "right" and "left." The reason we do so is because on the level of public policy, these pigeon-holes actually frustrate analysis and meaningful communication. Intelligently centrist, aimed at involving citizens across the political spectrum and building bridges between religious groups (our task is cultural engagement not evangelism), the Centre is a unique project whose time has come. We thank you for your support in the past and sincerely look forward to your continued and increasing support in the years ahead.

Iain T. Benson
Centre for Cultural Renewal