Why Spring is the ideal season for interfaith outreach

Like it or not, we live in a world where people live, believe, and think differently than us. Now is the perfect time to celebrate and appreciate this fact, and we'll tell you why.

It takes courage to reach across from someone who has oriented their life around a different set of beliefs, principles, and values, and to say simple things like “I forgive you,” “I’m sorry,” “You have a good point there,” or even “I need your help.”

Our community has warmly benefitted from the courage of Jonathan Rauch– a gay, atheist, Jewish political reporter – who devotes a large portion of his recent book to explain why he admires The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a long career decrying religion. Elsewhere, faith leaders are partnering to push for ethical consideration in how deportation raids are conducted, and “godless secular liberals” are praising the Pope. Changing times bring our need to dialogue into sharp relief.

Though cross-faith relationships are often formed for tactical reasons, there are simpler reasons to seek them out: because we exist together now on earth, and everyone has spiritual wisdom we can learn from. One scripture reads:

“For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world…And my word also shall be gathered in one.” (2 Nephi 29:11-14).

Towards the end of his life, Joseph Smith was adamant about loving and defending people who believe differently than we do. In a particularly bold statement he said,

“It has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a ‘Mormon,’ I am bold to declare before heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist or a good man of any denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.” (History of the Church, 5:498.)

This makes it a good time to announce that we are coming up on …

… Interfaith Season!

March and April are rich with holy days. In addition to Ramadan and Lent, traditions like Holi (the festival of colors), Nowruz (Persian new Year), and Passover mark the transition into Spring, often with themes of cleansing, renewal, and gathering. This is a prime time for interfaith outreach, and now is the time to plan.

Upcoming Religious Observances:

• March 1: Ramadan begins, a holy month of fasting, prayer, spiritual reflection, and gathering with family and community for Muslims
  March 5 – Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a holy season of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter

• March 14 – Holi, the Festival of Colors, marks the arrival of Spring for Dharmic faiths, including many Hindu faiths
  March 20 – Persian New Year, a celebration marking the beginning of Spring for Bahai’s and some Muslims

• March 31 – Eid al-Fitr, a day of feasting and prayers that marks the end of Ramadan for Muslims

• April 10 – Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
  April 13-20 – Passover, which celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and offers Jews an opportunity for cleansing, renewal, and gathering together.

• April 14 – Vaisakhi, the beginning of the New Year for Sikhs and Hindus, which also celebrates the spring harvest.

• April 20 – Easter, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Three Ways to Engage in Interfaith Outreach:

1. Learn & Familiarize Yourself– Learn about other religions. If you want an extra level of formality, take a course like Holy Envy with David Butler or World Religions through their Scriptures from Harvard X. Memorize simple gestures, like wishing Muslim friends "Ramadan Mubarak" (Happy Ramadan).

2. Attend an Event – Many religious communities hold public gatherings during this season. If you have the opportunity, attending a public iftar (the meal to break the fast during Ramadan), a Passover Seder, or a Holi festival can be a great way to connect and foster your appreciation for what they bring to the world.

3. Extend an Invitation – Consider inviting friends of other faiths to partner you in planning a meal, service project, or other gathering to commemorate a holy day.

Bonus: Interfaith America has fantastic resources not just about other religions, but about how to build relationships and dialogue across religious differences.