Chapter 7
Go to Contents | Go to Acknowledgements
Interfaith Resources for the 21st Century
Valuable new interfaith resources are appearing on a monthly basis, and it is easy is be overwhelmed by the shear volume. This short list offers some of the best work to date.
BOOKS
- Joel Beversluis, Ed., Sourcebook of the World’s Religions (2000). Begun as a guidebook for participants in the 1993 Parliament. A kind of whole-earth catalog of religion & inter-religion today. Surveys twenty different traditions and their willingness and ability to relate to each other in creating a peaceful, sustainable future for all. Packed with useful information, phone numbers, addresses, poems, short essays, and bibliography.
- Marcus Braybrooke, Faith and Interfaith in a Global Age (1998). Marcus, an Anglican parson at Oxford, is the historian of the interfaith movement (starting from the 1893 Parliament). His Pilgrimage of Hope – One Hundred Years of Global Interfaith Dialogue (1992) is a classic. Faith and Interfaith is a summary that adds his notions about the interfaith future.
- Diana Eck, A New Religious America (2001). Professor Eck teaches Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard and is director of the Pluralism Project, an internet treasure trove (see Organizations below). Eck’s newest book unpacks post-1965 demographics and the transformation of the nation’s religious identity. Summarizes the theological terrain Christians need to explore in preparing for interfaith dialogue. Excellent chapters on Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims in the US, and on overcoming the fear of religious diversity.
- Jack Lundin, Ed., One World, Many Voices (2001). The first intentional interfaith songbook ever published. Sponsored by the Parliament and URI; published by ICP. Contact Paul Chaffee at paul@interfaith-presidio.org or at 415-775-4635.
- Judith C. Joseph, A Chaplain’s Companion (2002). A convenient, useful handbook for anyone with responsibility caring for people from different religions who are ill or dying.
- Arthur J. Magida and Stuart M. Matlins are the editors of How to Be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook, 3rd Edition (1999), but the information itself comes from experts within each tradition surveyed. It is a fascinating and useful way to learn about how people live the religions they profess.
- Diana Whitney & Amanda Trosten-Bloom, The Power of Appreciative Inquiry – A Practical Guide to Positive Change (2003). Best of a number of new books about Appreciative Inquiry, the approach to community which is having success in various arenas, including grassroots interfaith organizing.
- Sue Wintz, BCC & Earl P. Cooper, BCC have made A Quick Guide to Cultures and Spiritual Traditions – Teaching Notes available for downloading at www.professionalchaplains.org, the website of the Association of Professional Chaplains. A “learning module” on cultural and spiritual sensitivity designed for health care professionals, the material covers nationalities, races, and religions all the way across the board. Invaluable for public ministries, extremely useful for teachers and clergy.
OTHER EXCELLENT RESOURCES
- Building Bridges of Understanding, produced by California Council of Churches (CCC) in response to September 11, 2001. Six ten-minute videos on the six largest religions in California. Excellent introductory resource for youth or adults. The tape is $10, including postage and handling. You can order by calling at 916-442-5447 or at ccinfo@calchurches.org.
- Sarah Feinbloom, What Do You Believe? – A 50-minute film based on 300 interviews with 15 and 16-year-old youth about faith and spiritual practice. Six major portraits (American Indian, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Wiccan) plus clips from dozens of other kids about prayer, God, death, and other big-time issues. More info at www.whatdoyoubelieve.org.
- The Golden Rule Across the World’s Religions (poster and curriculum) – Beautiful poster quoting the world’s various versions of the Golden Rule; comes with a well-received study guide. (Available at www.conexuspress.com.)
GRASSROOTS-FRIENDLY INTERFAITH ORGANIZATIONS
Go to Contents | Go to Acknowledgements
|