It's human nature to generalize, to assume. And, doing so isn't always a bad thing. You can likely assume that walking down dark alleys in dangerous places at night alone isn't going to be the best idea you've had. But, when we start to generalize about populations, religious or otherwise, then we start to find ourselves making decisions based on expectations rather than reality. Read more
My hope is that if I can impart a little more knowledge or understanding to someone, that person will share that understanding with others. With any luck and the grace of the gods, that means an exponential increase in acceptance and a willingness to coexist. Even in this reddest of red states, I believe the cultural momentum is toward more equality and greater freedom. Read more
All right, I admit it. I am off on a bit of a rant this week. At the moment I am feeling more than a bit frustrated. Many of us are active in community interfaith work because we sincerely believe that it is important that we open honest discussions with people of other spiritual practices because understanding and openness can and will lead to better communities. Since moving here to Huntsville, my husband and I have been active with both... Read more
Just a quick note as I run from this interfaith meeting to that interfaith program, to this interfaith gathering to that interfaith service. I like to think I sit here as an interfaith journalist, questioning people about their belief in God, Of the Almighty One, the All that Is. Or Yahweh. Or Allah. Doing my best to walk as a neutral interfaith journalist, it has become clear to me, all over again, that interfaith action truly does provide a safe space... Read more
Last year, I had the honor and the privilege to attend the Hartford Seminary religious diversity leadership workshop. This year, I'd like to help you do the same. Read more
Tuesday evening Governor Haley and First Gentleman Michael hosted a reception at the Governor's Mansion ("your" governor's mansion, as she reminded several of us) for Interfaith Partners of S.C. The occasion was the Governor's Proclamation of January 2014 as South Carolina Interfaith Harmony Month - yes, a little late because of the weather closings. Read more
If we could all just take a step back from the religious dialogue for a moment, to merely reflect on how we feel about everything: each moment of the day, each interaction with another person, animal, or thing; each group activity, or each individual moment we find for ourselves, perhaps then we could experience the faith in that moment, and see that it has nothing to do with our religion. Read more
The idea of a perfectly secular public square seems as much of a pipe dream to me as that of a fully-inclusive, so called global, public square. Is there a middle ground we can find that might also be attainable? I hope so, and herein I begin an exploration of what that might look like. Read more
A Heathen, a Jew, and a Baptist walk into bar... As many awesome jokes as I'm sure can come from that intro, believe it or not, this is the story of my life. Read more
There is a huge ambivalence in this community--and I suspect in others--between traditional African-American Christians and people who self-identify as Wiccan, Pagan or, heaven forbid, witches. It is deeply cultural and entrenched, and will require a concerted effort on both sides to come to a place of reconciliation. Read more
Wild Garden
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