Lecture Notes: Interfaith Cooperation in U.S. History

Introduction

• Focus on moments in U.S. history that increased religious diversity.
• Explore the American ethic of interfaith cooperation.
• Examine why it's essential to highlight historical examples of interfaith cooperation.

Misconceptions About Religion

• Common belief: Religion leads to violent conflict.
• Inference error: General judgments based on existing beliefs and vivid instances.
  • High sensitivity towards stories linking religion to violence enhances this belief.
• Broader understanding shows religion has also been a source of cooperation.

Importance of Interfaith Cooperation

• Essential for interfaith leaders to know history of cooperation.
• Cooperation was actively pursued by interfaith leaders.

Historical Examples of Interfaith Cooperation

• U.S. Civil Rights Movement:
  • Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel.
• Colonial India:
  • Mohandas Gandhi and Badshah Khan.
• South Africa:
  • Nelson Mandela's diverse supporters.
• Al-Andalus:
  • Cooperation between Muslims, Jews, and Christians (La Convivencia).
• Mughal India:
  • Akbar the Great's emphasis on tolerance.
• Vatican II (1965):
  • Nostra Aetate encouraging interfaith dialogue.
• World's Parliament of Religions (1893, Chicago):
  • Charles Bonney's vision of religions cooperating against societal ills.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Acknowledgment of darker chapters in interreligious interaction history.
• Interfaith leaders provide alternatives to violence, promoting harmony and cooperation.

American History Context

• American history includes disunity, abuse, and genocide.
• Necessary to highlight stories of success and cooperation.

Conclusion

• Interfaith cooperation is integral to American history.
• Lesson aims to introduce movements, heroes, and moments in interfaith work history.
• Inspire further exploration and personal journey in interfaith leadership.