Join us for our third session, Thursday, Nov. 8 from 7- 8:30 pm at St. Thomas in the Parish Hall.
The Interfaith Academy is an interfaith dialogue program where members of different faith groups come together and discuss different subjects in an effort to get acquainted with one another’s faith and culture. This is an effort to enable people of different faith and cultural backgrounds to engage in a deep and meaningful conversation. This enriching experience will not only enable participants to develop their interreligious and intercultural competency, but foster interfaith understanding and friendship among the society that we live in.
At the monthly sessions, representative of each faith group will give a short (10-15 minutes) presentation on the topic of the month from their respective religious traditions and it will be followed by round table discussions. At the end of the table discussions, one person from each table will be designated as spokesperson to briefly summarize the ideas and viewpoints that emerged from that table’s discussion. The program can be organized as a series of 2 to 6 sessions where each session is voluntarily hosted by each faith group.
Goals
- To create a structured and welcoming environment where people can have a substantive experience of dialogue that goes beyond interfaith dinners and annual celebrations.
- To eliminate or reduce false stereotypes, prejudices and unjustified fears through accurate information, and to have open and honest discussion and direct human communication.
Benefits
- Considering misunderstanding and fear, the Interfaith Academy is an opportunity for participants to understand their religious neighbors more.
- The series will promote awareness around diverse issues and causes. It will foster dialogue and break down walls that breed intolerance and hate and establish dialogue in society.
- Provide accurate first hand information and direct human face-to-face communication and encounter with individuals of different faith communities.
- Discover commonalities and important shared values and virtues
- Improve spiritually and intellectually by reflecting upon each other’s faiths
- Cultivate cooperation for promotion of common good
