Spring 2025 - The Stories that Lead Us Forward

Header Photo: Pxhere

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Editorial: Shaped by Story

Stories shape our understanding of the world. They teach us who we are, where we come from, and what we value. The stories we tell…

TIO Public Square

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The Contemporary Public Square

by Robert P. Sellers

Mystics, Heretics and Other “Souls on Fire”

by Chris Highland

Register for *Seeking Religious Literacy*, an online, self-paced course that seeks religious literacy as an essential good in the world today.

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Next Parliament: August 14-18, 2023 in Chicago, IL

Magnificent Bridges of Light

The Interfaith Observer

April 1, 2025

Journal 2022-2024

Winter 2024-25 - Paving Paths Toward Social Justice

The Interfaith Observer

April 1, 2025

Journal 2022-2024

Exploring Interreligious Relations and Interfaith Culture

Winter 2024-25
Paving Paths Toward Social Justice

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Where Social Justice Begins

by Marium Mohiuddin

“You have to come and help me right now!” he said. All I could think was “it’s 4 a.m., and there’s no way I can sneak out.” My parents would kill me. Despite being a senior in college...

The Substance of Possibility

by Sparrow Etter Carlson

I write this now with my hand on my heart, and here it will remain. For what follows is about the precious people within our midst who are treated as ex-humans in our society and...

Moving Toward Collective Care, Healing, and Action

by Zack Ritter

“All 40,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza are terrorists,” she said as we were eating cookies, standing around the flickering flames at Shabbat services. I was...

Uplifting Women’s Voices and Challenging Male Misconduct

by Cassandra Lawrence & Wendy Goldberg

It is the first thread in our tapestry of connections. In August 2018, both of us—eager for a safe space to discuss how multifaith communities can cultivate...

Social Justice from the Bedside

by Justin Almeida

In spiritual and religious traditions, there is the concept of the “thin space.” That piece of being in which the veil of life and death, the sacred and mundane, becomes leable...

Faith Communities Catalyzing Global Change

by Maurice A. Bloem

s world leaders anticipate a season of change when they convene for the United Nation’s 79th General Assembly, the Climate Week and the Summit of the Future this month...

Reimagining Interfaith Narratives

by Aaron Stauffer

Good organizers consistently emphasize the importance of leaders “understanding” and “working” on their stories. When they are first getting to know a leader, they ask questions like: What keeps you up at night?

How to do Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Justice

Interview with Tahil Sharma | AHMAUD ARBERY, Social Justice, United Religions Initiative, Interfaith

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Editorial: Navigating the Pathway of Justice

In today’s complex world, the pursuit of social justice demands that we not only confront systemic inequities but also build sustainable paths for change. The...

TIO Public Square

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Modeling How to Live from 10,000 Miles Away

by Robert P. Sellers

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Next Parliament: August 14-18, 2023 in Chicago, IL

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White

The Interfaith Observer

July 30, 2024

Journal 2022-2024

Winter 2023-24 - Religious Pluralism in the Modern World

The Interfaith Observer

July 30, 2024

Journal 2022-2024

Exploring Interreligious Relations and Interfaith Culture

Winter 2023-24
Religious Pluralism in the Modern World

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The Space Between Us

by Maij Vu Mai

What is religious pluralism to the Survivor? To the one who’s lost faith in themselves? Lost faith in other people? Lost faith in humanity? To the one who’s lost faith in their ability to connect because…

Putting Interfaith Inclusivity to the Test

by Miranda Hovemeyer

I’ll be honest. I haven’t felt at home in the field of interfaith work for quite a while. During one of the last interfaith conferences I spoke at, I was asked by an older white gentleman why I was there, then insisting…

Interfaith Retreat-in-a-Box

by Sable Manson

n the spring of 2020, I was working with my higher education colleagues to prepare for an interfaith retreat set on Catalina Island, off the coast of southern California. We had planned numerous…

Multi-Faith Relations in Rural Settings

by Najeeba Syeed

I’ve written about “casserole” hospitality, an ethic of care demonstrated in America’s Heartland found in communities of various traditions who welcome…

Compassion as Strength: Reclaiming Religious Pluralism

by Anum Mulla

When we talk about compassion, which by definition is found in aspiring to alleviate another’s suffering, it is far too often viewed as a path that only implores people to be kind. Some societies are…

The True Meaning of Engaging Difference and Diversity

by Shashank Rao

Over the last year or so, I interned with the Parliament of the World’s Religions as an Outreach Associate, particularly concerned with Hindu as well as broadly South Asian participation at the convening…

Muchos Idiomas, Muchas Acciones / Many Languages, Many Actions

by Vaus Bandhu

When I was 18, I began to get involved in interfaith collaboration to promote peacebuilding, and learned about the importance of creating a sustainable and lasting movement. Thanks to the support of…

Experiencing the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions with Fresh Eyes

by Sofia Sayabalian & Cloë Poole

Two young leaders from the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement (CEIE) attended their first Parliament of the World’s Religions event. It was held in Chicago…

Religious Pluralism at the Opera

by Jane Fitzpatrick

Opera has told stories of faith and humanity for centuries, and they continue to inspire conversations about the past, present, and future of religious pluralism in a variety of modern contexts…

Disagreement: An Essential Part of Pluralism | Sahil Badruddin | TEDxOshkosh

LGBTQ+ & BIPOC Inclusion in Faith Spaces Webinar

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Editorial: The Evolution of Religious Pluralism

What is religious pluralism? The Aspen Institute defines it as “the state of being where every individual in a religiously diverse society has the rights, freedoms, and safety to worship, or not, according…

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Interfaith News Roundup - October 2023

by Paul Chaffee

Religion Around the World– Spiritual Practice – Interfaith Relations

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Next Parliament: August 14-18, 2023 in Chicago, IL

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White

The Interfaith Observer

July 30, 2024

Journal 2022-2024

Spring 2024 - Adaptive Leadership in Challenging Times

The Interfaith Observer

July 30, 2024

Journal 2022-2024

Exploring Interreligious Relations and Interfaith Culture

Spring 2024
Adaptive Leadership in Challenging Times

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The Gift of Adaptive Leadership

by Hannah Hochkeppel

Every time we turn around, we seem to be in challenging times. Every time we turn around there seems to be something more that threatens to divide us even further. Increasingly…

Redefining Leadership in Today’s World

by Amar D. Peterman

There is a growing skepticism among young people toward the category of “leader.” This is evident in both a defensive and protective posture towards those who identify as…

Leading in an Age of Digital Transformation

by Sofia Sayabalian

When we think of leadership, perhaps we think of individuals who seemingly occupy a lot of space in any given arena–the shiny politician, the savvy entrepreneur, or the…

Cultivating an Adaptive Attitude for Interfaith Leadership

by Christopher Ray

The landscape of interfaith relationship building has undergone a seismic shift since the Hamas attacks of October 7th, 2023 and the resultant renewal of attention that event…

Cultivating Belonging in a Fragmented World

by Devin Barney

With the psalm wrapping up, the Time was fast approaching. Organ notes shifted to a hauntingly familiar prelude to my morning anxiety. Deep breath in. Deep breath out…

Reimagining Traditional Masculine Leadership

by Suraj Arshanapally

When I was young, a magnificent willow tree stood in my backyard. Imagine a towering giant with branches stretching out like the graceful arms of a ballet dancer. Its canopy…

Navigating Interfaith Leadership in Dungeons & Dragons

by Claire Thielens

Faith isn’t always a comfortable topic of conversation. To navigate the waters of our individual relationships to divinity, whatever that means to us, in a collaborative…

We Don’t Lead Alone

by Zachary Dar

What does it mean to lead? Some may say it comes with the responsibility of being a leader, or even just to be in charge; however, is it that simple?

Compassion as a Catalyst for Adaptive Leadership

by Felipe Zurita

Today's complex and rapidly changing world requires effective leadership more than ever, particularly in interfaith and inner spiritual spaces. From global pandemics to…

The Pilgrimage of Adaptive Change

by Kara Markell

States continues to change in complex ways. Declining religious affiliation and the corresponding rise of the “nothing in particulars,” increasing threats of…

Candace Moore on Racial Equity and Interfaith Leadership in America's 3rd Largest City

Interfaith Leadership Lecture - Allie Young

Header Photo: Aleš Krivec, CC 2.0 BY NC SA

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Editorial: What, Really, is “Adaptive Leadership”?

As our world grapples with unprecedented crises and shifting landscapes, the role of adaptive leadership has become increasingly pivotal. From climate change and environmental degradation to…

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The Meaning of Truth has Changed…And that’s No Lie

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Next Parliament: August 14-18, 2023 in Chicago, IL

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White

The Interfaith Observer

June 22, 2023

Journal 2022-2024

Spring 2023 - Seeking the Blessed Community

The Interfaith Observer

June 22, 2023

Journal 2022-2024

Exploring Interreligious Relations and Interfaith Culture

Spring 2023
Seeking the Blessed Community

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The Importance of Gratitude

by Audrey Kitagawa

Thank you, everyone for joining in this 9th annual interfaith Service of Remembrance and Gratitude. During the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women, this particular…

The Divine Feminine Emerging, Embodied, and Emboldened

by Kathe Schaft and Kay Lindahl

We can’t help but notice that the world seems to have suddenly ‘discovered’ the value of women. After thousands of years living in the shadow of the masculine, after being pushed into the margins…

Niu Now: Reconnecting to the Tree of Life

featuring Manulani Aluli Meyer & Indrajit Gunasekara

This special article has as its focus a video and enriching dialogue rather than ta ext. NIU NOW: Reconnecting to the Tree of Life looks at the efforts by a grassroots group in Hawai’i tackling…

Guru Ka Langar: The Sikh Ethos of Sharing Hospitality

by Tarunjit Singh Butalia

Many who have had the opportunity to attend a Langar (a Sikh word for “open kitchen) surely have fond memories of the incredible hospitality we experienced.

Beloved Community: One Church’s Journey

by Kay Lindahl

What is a beloved community? How do we become a beloved community? For the past four years our church has been intentional about engaging with these questions. This is the story of our journey so far…

Creating the Blessed Community

by Diana Whitney

I was in India, teaching Appreciative Inquiry and leading a leadership retreat with colleagues Dinesh Chandra and Anil Sachdev, when one of my co-founders of the Taos Institute…

An Unlikely Turnaround

by Betsy Woodman

The news, 24 hours a day of it, is by turns heart-rending, enraging, and depressing. School shootings. Climate crisis. Senseless war. Divisive politics. “When will they ever learn,” went the…

Why We Sing

by Paul Andrews

Art and culture are the treasure houses of our deepest dreams - not the fleeting dreams of power and empire, which can never satisfy what is best in us, but our deep soul-dreams, from which generation…

Niu Now: Recognizing the Tree of Life

Building Thriving Communities through Faith-Based Organizing Webinar

Header Photo: Rare Gallery

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Editorial: Seeking the Blessed Community

From Sudan to Chicago or Shanghai, defining, enjoying, and sustaining a blessed community is a tough assignment. Since humans became human, we’ve hungered for a thriving, protective community…

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Interfaith News Roundup - May 2023

by Paul Chaffee

Reaching Out for Goodness Sake – The Ethical Struggles We Share – In Memoriam

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Next Parliament: August 14-18, 2023 in Chicago, IL

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White