ORGANIZE A DAY OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM CELEBRATION IN YOUR HOMETOWN
OUR GOAL IS TO ENGAGE AND INCLUDE AS MANY CITIES AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE
RELIGIOUS PLURALISM A NATIONAL AND GLOBAL MOVEMENT
We encourage you to work in your hometown to celebrate the unique religious landscape that helps define your community. This page will serve as a tool for guiding you to organize an event that reflects the local priorities and context where you live. There is no one right way to do this for every location. Instead, we have articulated some steps and principles that can help you in your planning and celebration.
For additional information and samples, visit Resources page to get an idea of how to organize your own event.
BASIC STEPS TO ORGANIZE A CELEBRATION OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
1) GATHER- a multi-faith group of leaders from your hometown. This does not have to be limited to leaders of religious organizations or congregations; include civic, philanthropic, and public sector leaders. Be mindful of the range of religious pluralism, spirituality, and humanism in your community. Remember that within each tradition there is a range of practices and beliefs.
2) ENGAGE- your mayor and/or your city council to be a part of the process.
3) DRAFT- a proclamation celebrating religious pluralism in your town (see LA's proclamation from 2015 and see Atlanta Resolution from 2019).
4) HOST- an event in a public space (City Hall, Mayor's Office, City Council) where the proclamation is read by members of the planning committee.
5) INVITE- the community and media to the event to join in the celebration.
6) COMMISSION- a video or a piece of public art to illustrate religious pluralism in your community (see LA's video from 2016).
7) AMPLIFY- Use our hashtag #4Pluralism, so the community at-large can participate, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
PRINCIPLES FOR ORGANIZING A DAY OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM CELEBRATION
1) EDUCATE- Familiarize yourself and your partners with the concepts of religious literacy and competency. Ensure you are aware of your own biases and be prepared to take on a posture of curiosity over assumptions.
2) PLURALISM- All groups are invited to participate, including people of no faith or from traditions that are not well-known. Recognize the diversity within traditions, in addition to the diversity of traditions.
3) SELF-REPRESENTATION- Every community should select its own representatives and leaders.
4) AUTHENTICITY- Groups should be encouraged to participate in ways that feel comfortable and authentic to their particular traditions and teachings.
5) INCLUSION- Calls to action, service, or to inclusion should be made using universal and inclusive language.
6) RESPECT- Planning, discussions, disagreements should all be handled in a way that builds community based on a principle of mutual respect.
7) CELEBRATE- Take time out of the regular schedules of hard work to improve and serve communities to recognize and celebrate the religious diversity in our cities.
2) PLURALISM- All groups are invited to participate, including people of no faith or from traditions that are not well-known. Recognize the diversity within traditions, in addition to the diversity of traditions.
3) SELF-REPRESENTATION- Every community should select its own representatives and leaders.
4) AUTHENTICITY- Groups should be encouraged to participate in ways that feel comfortable and authentic to their particular traditions and teachings.
5) INCLUSION- Calls to action, service, or to inclusion should be made using universal and inclusive language.
6) RESPECT- Planning, discussions, disagreements should all be handled in a way that builds community based on a principle of mutual respect.
7) CELEBRATE- Take time out of the regular schedules of hard work to improve and serve communities to recognize and celebrate the religious diversity in our cities.