THIS I BELIEVE

Upcoming Dialogues

There are currently no upcoming dialogues scheduled.  If your church or faith group wishes to host a dialogue among its own congregants, or engage in an interfaith dialogue with another group, please call the IPP office at 502-214-PEAC (7322) or email us at director@InterfaithPathstoPeace.org.

Past Dialogues

Sunday, February 8, 2004 - 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Central Presbyterian Church

::Summary - Presbyterian Church Dialogue::

Begun in 2000, This I Believe is an interfaith dialogue series where lay individuals have an opportunity to explore how their faith guides them in every day life.

In the first year, twelve individuals from different faiths spoke about how their faith has impacted their lives in general.  These forums were videotaped and transcripts made of the talks.  These videotapes and transcripts are available for use by schools, church groups and others with an interest.  Please call the IPP office at 502-214-PEAC (7322) or email us at director@InterfaithPathstoPeace.org to inquire.

The second year of the dialogue gathered young people of different faiths to dialogue about how their faith guided them in making choices in life: friends, clothing, make-up, service, non-violence, non-violence. 

The 2003-04 theme for the This I Believe series is Democracy and Faith.  The dialogues, both inter- and intra-faith, ask individuals to consider their personal experience of how we move from our faith to citizenship and governance (self, local, national and international).

In the post-9/11 world, these dialogues offer an opportunity to explore personal issues with social consequences and how your faith guides you in daily actions in a democracy.

In the 2003-04 This I Believe series we have added the role of Moderator.  Individuals from our community’s institutions of higher learning and other organizations with interests in peace, justice and human rights will help create a safe and inviting forum where these issues can be discussed.  

If your church or faith group wishes to host a dialogue among its own congregants, or engage in an interfaith dialogue with another group, please call the IPP office at 502-214-PEAC (7322) or email us at director@InterfaithPathstoPeace.org.

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Central Presbyterian Church Dialogue - Summary

On February 8, Interfaith Paths to Peace facilitated a discussion at Central Presbyterian Church of the ways in which faith shapes citizenship. The discussion took place in the regular adult Christian education class at the church which regularly looks at contemporary issues in the light of faith. Many segments of the population of Louisville are represented in this group who come from different classes, races, and professional backgrounds and bring their unique experiences to the discussion.

 The first question presented for discussion in the Citizenship and Faith Forum is, “What teachings of your faith provide you the strongest guidelines of how to take action as a citizen in a democracy? Can you give some concrete examples of how this has affected your life and your actions?” 

The discussion included most of the people present and focused primarily on two biblical themes: The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”, and Jesus’ injunction to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. 

Discussion covered topics ranging from the Just War Theory to the need for Christians not only to reach out as individuals to the marginalized in society but also to support governmental programs which assist the poor and the powerless.

 Some of the specific actions suggested were:

1. Teach your own children how to be non-violent despite what the ambient culture teaches.
2. Love your neighbor locally and internationally, focusing on ways we can work together, not on differences.
3. Allow others, including your family and your friends, to be themselves without trying to force them into a culturally created mold of what’s “proper”
4. Emphasize education and the need to escape the current culture of fear.
5. Don’t try to shield children from the evils in the culture, but teach them to believe in their own ability to discern right from wrong.
6. Be sure your children or children you work with know your values.
7. Recognize and resist the temptation to follow the God and Country religion promoted by most Christian churches.
8. Be aware of the classism which is promoted big business and big government.
9. Take advantage of all modern means of communication, using organizations such as MoveOn, to make people aware of what you think is important.
10. Don’t be afraid to take a stand whether that means marching and carrying posters or letting your friends and family know about elements of the popular culture you find disturbing.

Questions raised by participants included:

1. How do we address systemic injustice?
2. What does the Golden Rule mean in war? Are the Geneva Conventions related to faith?
3. How do our recreational choices reflect our beliefs? What about video games for example?
4.  Does anybody listen to what we moderate people of faith have to say?
5. Does civil disobedience accomplish anything?
6. Can Christians support capitalism?
7. What can we do about advertising and the use of women as sex objects etc.?
8. What do we really care about?

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Interfaith Paths to Peace | 425 S. Second Street | Louisville, KY 40202-1430
(502) 214- PEAC (7322) | Terry@InterfaithPathstoPeace.org