In a world increasingly divided by ideology and faith, the Compelling Preaching Across Divides event at USC brought forward an essential conversation on combating Christian nationalism and fostering unity through interfaith dialogue.
Organized in collaboration with NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish partnership, the event showcased strategies for tackling complex divides and inspired discussions on how faith leaders can address contentious issues with grace and respect.
Dr.Tony McNeill, a worship arts educator and conference leader, emphasized that meaningful interfaith dialogue begins with a foundation of humility and openness. He stressed the need for deep listening, empathy, and a willingness to step into discomfort, not to change others, but to be changed by the experience.
Dr. McNeill highlights the need for theological introspection, urging faith leaders to confront their own blind spots and engage with others from a place of genuine curiosity and vulnerability. “We must stay open to learning and finding common ground without forcing our will on others,” he added, reflecting the intentionality required to foster trust and authenticity in these efforts.
Jesse Nolan, founder of Christway Inc., offered a candid perspective on both the opportunities and challenges of interfaith dialogue. While showing love and kindness to people of all beliefs is integral to his faith, Nolan acknowledged the complexities of maintaining theological integrity in such conversations.
“Interfaith dialogue is a great way to show love and kindness,” he states. He also acknowledges that intertwining beliefs could create struggles.
His perspective underscores a common tension in cross-faith collaborations: balancing the desire for unity with the need to respect and preserve individual belief systems, a critical factor in fostering lasting relationships across religious lines.
For interfaith dialogue to thrive, leaders and community members alike must take actionable steps. Programs like NewGround demonstrate the transformative power of dialogue in addressing contentious issues and building lasting relationships. Faith leaders in Los Angeles can draw inspiration from this model, creating spaces for collaboration through joint workshops, community events, or shared service projects.
Dr. McNeill reminds us that such efforts require humility and a willingness to be vulnerable. “We must be challenged to be in healthy community and dialogue with those who will lovingly expose our blind spots to us,” he said.
Jesse Nolan emphasizes the need for faith leaders to approach interfaith conversations with honesty and authenticity. He acknowledges a significant challenge.
“I think the biggest hurdle for me would be the denial of Christ’s deity by the other communities. So, while opportunities for dialogue as Angelenos are great no matter the beliefs, I think doing it with the end goal of having a united community on faith would minimize Jesus.”
Nolan’s perspective highlights the importance of transparency in building trust and fostering mutual understanding in interfaith efforts.
In a time when divisions can feel insurmountable, interfaith dialogue offers a transformative path forward rooted in listening, learning, and collaboration. History shows us its power: during the Civil Rights Movement, leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked alongside Jewish, Christian, and Muslim allies to advance justice.
In Los Angeles, interfaith solidarity has emerged during pivotal moments of crisis, such as the Rodney King riots and the Black Lives Matter protests. For Los Angeles communities, these conversations are about bridging divides and inspiring collective action to address the pressing social issues of today.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
