Faith Club brings people of diverse religious backrounds together to discuss 'taboo' topics and misconceptions about one another and their faiths.
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A wonderful story about how sharing and coming together can overcome one's preconceived notions. Here is an excerpt.
They gathered first to reflect on what it is they like about their faith. Barbara Love, a Christian-turned-atheist-turned-Unitarian, said she appreciated the inclusiveness of her church.Sphere: Related Content
Syed Riyaz Mahdi, a Sufi Muslim, said he is drawn to the spirituality and discipline of Islam. "I feel like I'm learning much more through this process," he said, referring to the group.
The women who authored "The Faith Club" came to the same conclusion. Ranya Idliby, a Palestinian Muslim, and Suzanne Oliver, a Christian, met initially while waiting at their daughters' bus stop.
They decided to collaborate on a children's picture book examining the parallels between their faiths, but soon learned that they had to first overcome the perceived differences.
Through that process, and eventually with the contributions of Priscilla Warner, a Jewish mom, the three had to dig deeper into what it was they themselves believed, and the project morphed into a "how to" book for adults seeking kinship with those outside their religion.
The local group grew out of a series of "interfaith cafes" sponsored by the South Coast Interfaith Council last summer, and organizers say they hope to continue as long as participants are interested.
Love, who attends Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, became involved in the interfaith cafes and said she wanted to continue her understanding of others.
"You see them as regular people," she said. "It's wonderful. In daily life, this just doesn't happen."
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