‘If we don’t have doubts about some things, we’re not thinking enough’
DRgladysganielis Reader in Sociology at Queen’s University, Belfast, an author and an international athlete. She is married to Brian O’neill and they have a son, Ron an (5). dr ga ni el helps to organise the 4 Corners Festival in Belfast, which takes place next month. Q
Can you tell us something about your background? A
I was born in maine in the us a and brought up in a village of 900 people. My father, Carl, was a builder and my mother, Jennie, worked in a blueberry processing factory. Sadly, she passed away in 2015. I have two older sisters, Becky and Carla. I am 43 and married to Brian O’neill, a web developer from Belfast. I attended Providence College in Rhode Island on an athletic scholarship, so I got a free university education in return for running cross-country and track. My running coaches and many teammates were Irish.
I came to Ireland in 1999 and did an MA and PHD in Politics at University College Dublin. I lectured for nine years at the irish school ofe cum enic sin belfast andi have been at Queen’s since 2015, where I am Reader in Sociology. I represented Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games in 2014, coming 12th in them ar at hon.i have also run for Ireland in two European Championships.
Q
How and when did you come to faith?
A
I was raised in an independent Baptist church. Coming to faith meant consciously “accepting Christ”, which I did at the age of seven in a Sunday school class. I now attend Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast.
QIS this faith only for Sundays?
A
There’s no point in having faith unless it plays a real part in your life. Christian faith should make you more kind, forgiving and motivated to make society fairer and more just. but i do not always live up to this ideal.
Q
Have you ever had a crisis of faith, or a gnawing doubt about your faith?
A
Religions have changed tremendously throughout history and continue to change. It’s wrong to assume that our particular religion has all the right answers: we should have questions about our faith. If we don’t have doubts about some things, we’re not thinking hard enough.
Q
Have you ever been angry with God and, if so, why?
A
The injustice and suffering in the world make me angry, but not with God. Blaming God can be a way of evading our responsibilities to change things for the better.
Q
Do you ever get criticised for your faith and are you able to live with that criticism?
A
I have got more criticism from people inside my own tradition. It doesn’t trouble me, because you can learn a lot through criticisms.
Q
Are you ever ashamed of your own Church, or denomination?
A
In 2018, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church barred same-sex couples from membership and banned baptism for their children. It was pastorally disastrous and potentially undermines the Presbyterian Church’s positive witness in other areas.
Q
Are you afraid to die, or can you look beyond death?
A
I have some anxiety about a physically painful death, or losing mental faculties, but that’s different from an existential fear of death.
Qare you afraid of hell?
A
No.i believe in a god of infinite mercy and forgiveness.
Q
Do you believe in a resurrection and, if so, what will it be like?
A
I’m not interested in speculation on what resurrection will be like. Jesus had more to say about how we should be spending our short time on Earth, so it’s better to concentrate on that.
Q
What do you think about people of other denominations and other faiths?
A
The Benedictine tradition emphasises welcoming everyone as if they are Christ. For me, that’s a helpful way to think about people of other denominations and faiths.
Q
Would you be comfortable in stepping out from your faith and trying to learn from other people?
A
Yes, that could be considered the job description for a sociologist of religion. I also help organise the 4 Corners Festival, an inter-church festival in Belfast in February. events are designed to encourage people to step out from their own faith and learn from others.
Q
Do you think that the Churches here are fulfilling their mission?
A
Partially. But I remain puzzled that more Christians have not seen peacebuilding and reconciliation as central to living out their faith in a divided society.
Q Why are so many people turning their backs on organised religion?
A
For many reasons, including large-scale global processes, like modernisation, economic growth and technological and scientific advances, which have challenged the viability of all societal institutions, including organised religions, which have not always responded well to these developments, especially when they police their boundaries, instead of reaching out to people in compassion.
Q Has religion helped, or hindered, the people of Northern Ireland?
A
Both. During the Troubles, the institutional Churches didn’t promote peacemaking enough. However, many clergy acted as first responders, providing pastoral care to the grieving. So-called “ordinary” Christians were quiet witnesses for peace in their communities and some courageous clergy promoted peacemaking. My books, Considering Grace: Presbyterians and the Troubles, co-authored with Jamie Yohanis, and Unity Pilgrim: The Life of Fr Gerry Reynolds, tell some of those stories. My recent research on religion during the pandemic has also shown that Churches are providing valuable support and social services for people during this time.
Q
What is your favourite film, book and music, and why?
A
I was an American Civil War buff, so the movie Gettysburg remains a favourite. I enjoy books by authors associated with the emerging Church, like Rob Bell, Peter Rollins and Phyllis Tickle, because they make me think. Johnny Cash’s music faces up to human darkness and despair, but through the lens of an authentic spirituality.
Q
Where do you feel closest to God?
A while running.
Q
Finally, have you any major regrets?
A
No, although at times I have been disappointed in myself for the manner in which I have responded to the difficulties that have come my way.