Why Multi-Faith Instead of Interfaith

Micah Fries - Multi-Faith Neighbors Network

A note from Rabbi Michael Holzman: When I saw this email from our partner organization, Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, I immediately thought that we should share this with our faith250 network.

Why “multi-faith” instead of more traditional “interfaith”?

Why do we use the word multi-faith instead of the more traditional interfaith? We believe that there are some key distinctions that are at the heart of our organization. While interfaith is imagined and exercised in different ways in different contexts, we intentionally use the word multi-faith to illustrate a few key concepts that we believe are vital.

We respect and are honest about our theological differences.

Often, the popular impression of interfaith is that, to affirm commonalities, we have to minimize our theological distinctives that may be in contrast to other faiths. Instead, we ask everyone to speak honestly about their faith and practice. Theological distinctions don't mean that we have to be divided. We can build friendships without compromising our beliefs. We believe religions should maintain all of their unique theological tenets, respecting specific differences within religions, but should join together on the principles we share in common, like community, cooperation, and the common good.

We believe that each person has inherent worth, dignity, and value.

Our different beliefs do not diminish that worth, dignity, and value. Instead, we believe that at the core of our faiths is a commitment to love and honor others, particularly those who disagree with us. We believe that this is the foundation on which the most effective collaboration can be built. Many interfaith groups strive to rally around the idea that, fundamentally, we all share common beliefs. The problem with this is that when we get together, we often find stark theological differences exist, and conversations/relationships/collaboration are derailed because of our differences. By rallying together around dignity, we acknowledge up front that we have profound differences, and that we can still commit to each other in the face of those differences. Rallying around dignity allows us to each bring our whole selves – every part of us – into the room, and we can love each other and work together in the face of profound, even irreconcilable differences.

We believe that the practice of our own faith traditions, even though they are often very different from one another, is strengthened when we are in personal relationships with others who are different from who we are.

We are more committed as we learn to faithfully practice our faith in the midst of those who have other beliefs.

Multi-faith, then, is an effort to live out our distinct faith traditions in the public square, not diminishing our differences, but affirming each other's worth despite our differences. And believing that our faith is strengthened as we seek peace and endeavor to build relationships with others to serve and work together for the common good in our communities.