Why Interfaith?
Higher Education institutions are increasingly investing in dialogue and cooperation around spiritual, religious, and secular diversity. Interfaith initiatives address universities’ responsibility to make space for students to have constructive conversations around diverse existential worldviews and pathways to meaning-making in life.
Being able to understand the impact of cultural, racial, and especially religious diversity in contemporary society is also a key component of a comprehensive general education. Students learn and grow as they engage with and across lines of difference, which is beneficial to learning, personal development and interpersonal abilities.
Interfaith Engagement
Process in which people from different existential worldviews and belief systems come together in a constructive dialogue, build relationships, and engage in common action around issues of shared concern.
Interfaith engagement also offers opportunities for students to develop sensitivity, compassion and understanding, while exploring the intersections of (non) religious identities with race, culture, culture, sexual orientation, and other identities.
References
Goodman, K. M. (2014). The future of spirituality in higher education: Becoming more inclusive. In P. A. Sasso & J. DeVitis (Eds.) Today’s college students: A reader (pp. 257-266). New York, NY: Peter Lang Press.
Patel, E., & Meyer, C. (2011). The civic relevance for interfaith cooperation for colleges and universities. Journal of College and Character, 12(1).
Shushok, F. & Perillo, P. (2015) Personal Exploration and National Trends. The Future for Students of All Faith Backgrounds. In Small, J. MacDonald-Dennis, C. (2015). Making meaning: Embracing spirituality, faith, religion, and life purpose in student affairs. Stylus Publishing, LLC.
Small, J. L. (2014). Understanding change: Spirituality, faith, religion, and life purpose in student affairs. About Campus, 19(2), 11-16.