Later this month, I’ll be joining interfaith leaders from across the nation at a round-table convened by Interfaith America. The question before us is simple, but urgent: What is the role of the interfaith movement at this point in our history?
As I prepare for that conversation, here’s what I see.
A Whole-of-Society Problem
We are facing what I would call a whole-of-society problem. Loneliness is at historic levels. Groups that once connected neighbors now struggle with isolation. Over the past 60 years, our society has grown more complex—more cultures, more traditions, more identities. At the same time, communication technology has learned to hold our attention by stoking our fears. It weaponizes our love for our own group by convincing us that others are a threat. We are susceptible to dehumanizing narratives about each other and these are being used to justify the degradation of the rule of law and democratic norms.
We are learning about one another, but not from one another. And while we may be connected online, we are losing the skills and trust it takes to relate group-to-group.
What Interfaith Brings
And yet, wisdom communities—churches, mosques, temples, and more—have held their people together through this era of radical individualism. Interfaith work has modeled what it looks like for groups to come together, honor difference, and show respect. That is no small gift.
But I believe we must take this work further.
Four Shifts for Interfaith Work
1. Widen the Table
Interfaith groups often focus on wisdom communities. But in our society, many people are not connected to a faith or wisdom tradition. If our work only involves congregations, many feel left out. We need to create spaces where people from different ages, places (urban, rural, suburban), economic situations, identities, and life circumstances can take part.
2. See Bridge-Building as a Journey
Bridge-building has to be more than a “feel good” conversation. Too often, it can unintentionally sideline the voices of minoritized groups. Real bridge-building happens in steps: safe, first experiences where trust can begin, followed by deeper, more challenging conversations. People grow at the pace of relationship. Once there is a level of trust, deeper conversations can contribute to that growth.
3. Connect to the Bigger Civic Project
Interfaith bridge-building is one part of a much larger response to our civic crisis. We need to link our efforts to civic education, healthy public debates, citizen assemblies, civic hubs, and reforms that strengthen democracy. Our relationships can serve as the soil in which these larger civic efforts can grow. Interfaith groups can help people get connected to other forms of civic engagement.
4. Move Beyond Radical Individualism
The radical individualism that has shaped our society over the past 60 years has also shaped how we think about bridge-building. Too often, we see this work only in terms of individuals meeting individuals. But radical individualism cannot solve radical individualism. What we need is the capacity for groups to grow in relationship with other groups. The interfaith movement—with its history of modeling respect between traditions—has much to offer in showing the way.
Looking Ahead
The interfaith movement has always been about relationships across lines of difference. In this moment, our role is to keep widening that circle, deepening those connections, and linking our work to the broader renewal of civic life.
Because the truth is this: we cannot solve a whole-of-society problem without a whole-of-society response.
I’ll report back what I learned from these other wise leaders next week.