Seasons Online

From Sandra Rooney

Tensions between peoples, tribes, and clans are as old as recorded history. In today’s world, religious conflicts and hostility appear to be on the increase. People talk about the need for interfaith dialogue, but what does that mean? Folks in the state of Utah in the United States are finding out.

Utah might seem a most unlikely place for serious interfaith dialogue to happen. Isn’t the population just Mormons? The answer is no, it isn’t just Mormons. March 8 marked the end of Interfaith Month in Utah, with dozens of religious groups participating in everything from tours of various religious facilities, to seminars, meditation gatherings, and service projects for adults and youth.

This remarkable month of interfaith activities got its start with the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Olympic charter requires host cities to provide religious services and counseling for all of the visiting athletes. It turned out that that not just the Olympic athletes benefited from having 45 faith leaders, representing more than 25 different religious groups, in the same place at the same time. According to Colleen Scott, publicist for the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable (SLIR), “There was so much fellowship that was created there that we said, ‘Let’s continue this.’” And continue it they have.

SLIR members meet monthly for a special luncheon and there are a variety of opportunities for members of difference religious groups to interact and work together, and come to appreciate each other. Robert Millet, a prominent Latter Day Saints (LDS) scholar, speaking about the importance of interfaith dialogue, said, “I am immeasurably grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but at the same time, I have found myself, more and more often, looking into the eyes of those of other faiths, sensing their goodness, perceiving their commitment, and realizing more surely that God knows them, loves them and desires for me to love, respect and better understand them.”

This is the kind of attitude that is behind the events of Interfaith Month. One of the kickoff events was a service project at an interfaith homeless shelter in Salt Lake City. Tony Milner, the shelter’s executive director and a member of the United Church of Christ in Holladay, said, “I’m a big proponent of different groups interacting through service. Not discussing their differences at a forum, but just working together. Putting it into practice.” One of the highlight events is always the Interfaith Music Tribute, which was held Feb. 26. According to Alan Bachman, chairman of SLIR, “People are really missing out if they don’t come to the tribute. They will not walk out the same person.”

Explore…Genesis 17:1–7, 15–20

What legacy of kinship is found in this Genesis passage?

How is this legacy being lived out through the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable?

Where have you seen individuals or groups participating in this legacy of kinship?

Prayer links…
God of the multitude of nations and peoples, help us to see beyond the circles of our own kind, be they of race, or clan, or religion. Give us the grace to listen to others with open hearts and minds and extend the hand of friendship and cooperation to all with whom we share the joys and sorrows of this life. Amen.

Read more…

The Interfaith Roundtable and Interfaith Month

Feature story in the Daily Herald, February 4, 2012

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Spirit Sightings

March 4, 2012: Living Legacy

From Sandra Rooney