The Interfaith Observer

October 1, 2025

Journal 2022-2024

Fall 2025 - Expressing Freedom: Religion and Healthy Democracy

The Interfaith Observer

October 1, 2025

Journal 2022-2024

Fall 2025 - Expressing Freedom: Religion and Healthy Democracy

Fall 2025 Issue: Expressing Freedom: Religious and Healthy Democracy

The Interfaith Observer

April 1, 2025

Journal 2022-2024

Spring 2025 - The Stories that Lead Us Forward

The Interfaith Observer

April 1, 2025

Journal 2022-2024

Spring 2025 - The Stories that Lead Us Forward

Spring 2025 Issue: The Stories that Lead Us Forward

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

Winter 2024-25 - Paving Paths Toward Social Justice

Winter 2024-25 Issue: Paving Paths Toward Social Justice

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

Featured

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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Header Photo: Pxhere

Featured

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

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

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

Learn More

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

INTERFAITH CENTER AT THE PRESIDIO

Events and Programs

INTERFAITH CENTER OF NEW YORK

ICNY's Interfaith Matters Blog

ICNY's Interfaith Matters Podcast

PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS

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

RELIGICA

Religica Podcast

A Religious Response to Violence

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE – USA

Our Muslime Neighbor Initiative

SPIRIT MATTERS

Interview with Henry Yampolsky

SPIRITUALITY & PRACTICE

Practicing Spirituality with Native Americans

Practicing Spirituality at Work

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White

URI Responds to COVID-19

USC OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

Mindfulness at USC

SOULJOURN – Exploring L.A.’s Religious Diversity

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

Featured

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

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Header Photo: Aleš Krivec, CC 2.0 BY NC SA

Featured

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…

Featured

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

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Learn More

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

INTERFAITH CENTER AT THE PRESIDIO

Events and Programs

INTERFAITH CENTER OF NEW YORK

ICNY's Interfaith Matters Blog

ICNY's Interfaith Matters Podcast

PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS

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

RELIGICA

Religica Podcast

A Religious Response to Violence

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE – USA

Our Muslime Neighbor Initiative

SPIRIT MATTERS

Interview with Henry Yampolsky

SPIRITUALITY & PRACTICE

Practicing Spirituality with Native Americans

Practicing Spirituality at Work

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White

URI Responds to COVID-19

USC OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

Mindfulness at USC

SOULJOURN – Exploring L.A.’s Religious Diversity

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

Featured

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

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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

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Learn More

MAJOR INTERFAITH STAKEHOLDERS

INTERFAITH CENTER AT THE PRESIDIO

Events and Programs

INTERFAITH CENTER OF NEW YORK

ICNY's Interfaith Matters Blog

ICNY's Interfaith Matters Podcast

PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS

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

RELIGICA

Religica Podcast

A Religious Response to Violence

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE – USA

Our Muslime Neighbor Initiative

SPIRIT MATTERS

Interview with Henry Yampolsky

SPIRITUALITY & PRACTICE

Practicing Spirituality with Native Americans

Practicing Spirituality at Work

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE

Announcing URI's New Executive Director: Jerry White

URI Responds to COVID-19

USC OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

Mindfulness at USC

SOULJOURN – Exploring L.A.’s Religious Diversity

The Interfaith Observer

March 8, 2023

Journal 2022-2024

Winter 2022-23 - Religious Literacy Today

The Interfaith Observer

March 8, 2023

Journal 2022-2024

Exploring Interreligious Relations and Interfaith Culture

Winter 2022-23
Religious Literacy Today

Featured

Interreligious Literacy and Why It Matters

by Brian Carwana

We live in a time when seemingly difficult conversations – including around race, gender, and sexual orientation – have become an important part of the public discourse. However, one arena, central to…

Religious Literacy & the Flying Spaghetti Monster

by David Callaway and Hannah Santos

Long-time advocates of religious freedom paused when Eddie Castillo successfully used the First Amendment to wear a pasta strainer on his head for his license photo. Castillo, a Pastafarian, argued the…

Thou Shalt Not Hate: The Role of Religious Actors in Addressing Hate Speech

by Emina Frljak

Many would say hate speech is just words…but words can hurt, and words can and do turn into action. From “harmless” hate speech, come hate crimes. There are sadly many examples of hate speech…

When Wiccans & Evangelical Christians Become Friends

by Don Frew

A year into my public information work, I saw notice of a conference called “Deception & Discernment: Exposing the Dangers of the Occult.” I thought I should attend and see…

The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative: A Case Study of Religious Literacy

by Dr. Charles Ian McNeill

As the impacts of climate change intensify in plain sight on every continent, the United Nations Environmental Programme’s “Emissions Gap Report 2022,” released just…

The Chinese Jews of Kaifeng (and what I’ve learned from them)

by Rabbi Anson Laytner

For over a thousand years, there has been a Jewish community in Kaifeng, China, making it one of the most long-lived continuous Jewish communities in the world. Never more than…

15 Facts on African Religions

by Jacob K. Olupona

1. African traditional religion refers to the indigenous or autochthonous religions of the African people. It deals with their cosmology, ritual practices, symbols, arts, society, and…

Reimagining Interfaith: Taking Our Lead from Kids

by Vicki Garlock

The interfaith movement is all about bringing people together. Most of the time we focus on adults, and social justice issues. Don’t get me wrong. I fully support any and all…

The Power of Religion in a Turbulent World

Jane Goodall introduces the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative

Header Photo: Unsplash

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Editorial: We're Back!

In the two years we’ve been gone, the challenge in developing interfaith relations has received a body blow through the accelerating corruption of language and communication…

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