Study Guide: Interfaith

Loving Our Interfaith Neighbors

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is pleased to share with you this groundbreaking resource for Wisconsin congregations, “Loving our Interfaith Neighbors: A Study-Action Guide.”

On the 10th anniversary of September 11th, the WCC and the Islamic Society of Milwaukee co-hosted a day of dialogue as a powerful witness to the importance of interfaith understanding and cooperation in the aftermath of the tragedy that occurred a decade earlier. On this anniversary, over 250 Christians and Muslims shared in life-giving conversation as they focused on getting to know one another. From the energy of that event grew the idea for this educational resource to help local congregations build relationships with their interfaith neighbors across the state.

According to a recent national poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, only 52 percent of Americans know a Muslim and far fewer can claim any as friends. And because so many of us don’t really know our interfaith neighbors, it is then no surprise that unfair and inaccurate stereotypes take root, fueled by our divisive politics and the secular media. The Islamic faith, as a primary example, gets painted—unfairly and inaccurately—with the broad brush-strokes of terrorism.

A prior byproduct of the 10th anniversary event in Milwaukee was the WCC’s ecumenical statement detailing the “why” and “how” of interfaith relationships for Christians, which was adopted by our Board of Directors in 2014 and serves as the theological companion to this study guide.

Click to download a copy of “Loving Our Neighbor: A Statement of the Wisconsin Council of Church on Interfaith Relations”

In the “Invitation to Action” at the conclusion of this policy statement, the WCC:

…condemns all forms of intolerance which turn religious differences into excuses for defamations, stereotyping, and violence; to defend their victims; to challenge and to rebut statements about other faith groups or individuals that embody religious stereotyping, prejudice and bigotry…

The “Loving our Interfaith Neighbors” study-action resource for Wisconsin congregations is written with these goals in mind, but our first step on the journey is to actually get to know those of other faith traditions.

As you and your congregation embark on this journey of “Loving our Interfaith Neighbors,” we pray for God’s richest blessings to be upon you and those of other faiths whom you will encounter. May we all be instruments of God’s grace and healing in the process.

Interfaith Study Guide Handouts and Resources

Lesson 1 Resources:
Religious Literacy Quiz
Season of Civility Project of the WCC

Suggested Articles on Religion/Faith in Wisconsin:
Oak Creek Sikh Temple Shooting
Match campaign open for Lords Cupboard Food Pantry

Lesson 2 Resources:
Full text of Nostra Aetate
Summary of Nostra Aetate

Lesson 3 Resources:
Examples of Formal Dialogues:
Formula of Agreement (ELCA, PCUSA, UCC, RCA)
Wikipedia Formula of Agreement

Lesson Five Resources:
Suggested videos if a speaker is not available:

1-hour British television video, “Interfaith Dialogue” with a panel that includes Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and Atheist perspectives. Watch the video

11-minute TED talk: Three Amigos and Breaking the Taboos of Interfaith Dialogue: Watch the video
“30 Good Minutes” video with Eboo Patel (Muslim) and Skye Jethani (Christian) on Interfaith Dialogue. Watch the video
35-minute video: “An Interfaith Dialogue with Students at American University” Watch the video

Interfaith prayer resource

Supplemental Resources

Foundational Documents

Nostra Aetate: Declaration of the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions
A foundational theological document from the Roman Catholic Church that has informed Christian reflection on interfaith relationships since the 1960’s.

A Common Word Between Us and You
Written as a letter from a group of Muslim scholars to the Christian community in 2009, “A Common Word” seeks to find common theological ground between Christians and Muslims. The website also includes Christian responses to it.

A Time for Recommitment
The International Council of Christians and Jews published this text. The document has three sections: A Call to Christians and Christian Communities, A Call to Jews and Jewish Communities, and A Call to Both Christian and Jewish Communities and Others.

Dabru Emet – a Jewish response to changing attitudes of Christians toward Jews and Judaism
A group of Jewish scholars sent out a letter in 2000 to Christians affirming dialogue and mutual understanding.