Videos

Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath 

This was the first feature-length documentary film on hate violence following Sept. 11, 2001.  Recently released on DVD, the film follows the journey of 20-year-old college student Valarie Kaur as she documents hate violence against Sikhs and Muslims in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 and examines the larger question of “who counts” as American.

www.dwf-film.com

Encounter Point

As part of Just Vision's efforts to publicize grassroots non-violent peace building, they released an award-winning feature documentary film, Encounter Point, now available on DVD in 5 languages with more than an hour of additional content.

http://www.encounterpoint.com/dvd/index.php

Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

The film thoughtfully examines the religious beliefs and practices shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims to illustrate how many individuals in the Abrahamic faith communities are dealing with historical conflicts yet remain dedicated to facilitating understanding and respect. http://www.3faiths1god.com/

Prayer in America

Producers Alison Rostankowski and Chip Duncan interview a wide-ranging group of scholars, writers, and experts on the history of religion and prayer in America. The documentary reflects many perspectives on prayer, particularly as it articulates with the public sector..

The documentary website http://www.prayerinamerica.org/ has many details and two complete sections inviting interfaith interaction -- Interfaith Resources and Interfaith Dialogue (an invitation to respond to prayer issues from one’s own perspective.

A Dream in Doubt

A Dream in Doubt features Rana Sodhi, an Indian immigrant whose life is forever altered by the 9/11 terror attacks, not because he knew someone who died in the rubble, but because Rana’s turban and beard—articles of his Sikh faith—now symbolize America’s new enemy. Rana’s eldest brother Balbir Singh Sodhi was America’s first post-9/11 hate crime murder victim, gunned down at his gas station by a man named Frank Roque, who claimed he was rooting out a terrorist. “A Dream in Doubt” travels to Rana’s hometown to explore post-9/11 America from his perspective, telling a personal story of national tragedy, murder, family, community, and the American Dream.

Video / 56 mins. / English / USA 2007 Director/Co-Writer: Tami Yeager; Producers: Tami Yeager, Preetmohan Singh, Todd and Jedd Wider; Co-Writer: Valerie Kelly; Cinematographer: Gary Mercer http://www.adreamindoubt.org/

What do you believe? The religious and spiritual lives of teenagers

by Sarah Feinbloom

The film’s interviews of Buddhist, Muslim, Pagan, Native American, Jewish, and Catholic teens introduce provocative, stereotype-challenging insights into adolescent spiritual development.

Review by Rob Hankinson http://www.nain.org/news/nn09winter.htm#_Toc221270369

Parliament of Souls

The television series aired over PBS affiliate stations in the US, over VISION TV, Canada and in 140 countries through the AFRT Network. Series guests included His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Swami Chidananda, Sir John Templeton, W.D. Mohammed, and Rabbi Emil Fackenheim. Bettina Gray was the producer and interview host. Details and clips may be found at http://www.creativefilms.com/Pos.html

Online Journals, Web-based Publications

The Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue

This new online journal is a forum for academic, social, and timely issues affecting religious communities around the world.

www.irdialogue.org

KidSpirit Magazine

This unique quarterly nonprofit magazine by and for youth, was just named a 2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold winner. In addition, KidSpirit has been singled as a NAPPA Top Pick in the Books and Magazines category, indicating that the judges considered it outstanding among the gold winners.

http://www.kidspiritmagazine.com/

Read the Spirit.com: Interfaith Heroes

David Crumm, former religion editor of the Detroit Free Press, has created an online publishing portal at www.readthespirit.com. He has completed a second year of daily Interfaith Heroes during the month of January.

Books

The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

This is a challenging, provocative and rich book that warrants careful reading and pondering. I have lifted out only a sampling of Rabbi Sacks’ thinking. Read, mark and inwardly digest this finely wrought work. –Jim Wiggins, Reviewer

Review at http://www.nain.org/news/nn07fall1.htm#_Toc175146738

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

by Elizabeth Gilbert published by Viking, February 2006

This book is an interesting spiritual romp through three countries in search of healing, growth, and spirituality. The author’s style includes an earthy humor and an honest witness to some of the difficulties in learning to meditate and to grow personally after personal tragedy, in this case a failed marriage.

http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm

The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding

by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner

This book has received, deservedly, a great deal of acclaim. If you have somehow missed it, I highly recommend it. Again, it is the story of the faith journey of women, but the application to interfaith work is huge. The journey these three women undertake is definitely not an easy one. They really have to confront genuine differences and their own presuppositions of the faith of the ‘other’. The reward for all of them is the opportunity to share a spiritual intimacy that is rare and intensely valuable. It is no surprise that this has been a favorite selection for book clubs everywhere.

http://www.thefaithclub.com/

Interfaith Heroes

by the Rev. Daniel L. Buttry

David Crumm, the Detroit Free Press Religion Writer since 1986, has created a new kind of media publishing company that focuses on religion and spirituality. ReadTheSpirit.com is a collaboration of professionals -- writers, editors, photographers, artists, clergy, scholars and people from other disciplines, as well, to produce books, Web content and videos.

http://www.readthespirit.com/interfaithheroes/

In God's Name: Wisdom from the World's Great Spiritual Leaders,

by Jules Naudet, Gedeon Naudet, and Stephan Crasneanscki (Hardcover - Mar 25, 2008). [$18.48 at Amazon.com]

In God's Name aired on CBS network December 23, 2007, 9:00p.m. ET/PT, 8:00p.m. CT. The primetime special produced in association with the acclaimed French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, explored the complex questions of our time through the intimate thoughts and beliefs of 12 of the world's most influential spiritual leaders.

http://www.themiracletimes.com/Christmas/CBS-In-Gods-Name.htm

A Path to Follow . . . A Life to Lead: Reflections of a Student at Gobind Sadan,

by Ralph Singh. (New Delhi, India: Sterling Publishers Private Limited, 2008, 352pp.)

In the broadest sense this book is representative of the genre of religious confessions. Each of the eight chapters is labeled as a “path.” It is a collection more than a simple, straightforward narrative. Many readers will be drawn by the fierce spiritual commitment it presents and symbolizes. (excerpt from review by Jim Wiggins)

Review by Jim Wiggins: http://www.nain.org/news/nn08summer.htm#_Toc202427955

Interactive Faith: The Essential Interreligious Community-Building Handbook

Edited by Rev. Bud Heckman with Rori Picker Neiss, Foreword by Rev. Dirk Ficca

Practical Guide for Embracing the Growing Religious Pluralism in America

This is a practical guide to the key methods and resources of the interfaith movement that will help people effectively engage with those of other faith traditions in order to increase understanding and acceptance in their own community and beyond.

Drawing on the experience and knowledge of interfaith leaders from the world’s many faith traditions—Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahá’í Faith, Jainism, Shinto, Sikh Faith, Taoism, Zoroastrianism—this resource provides practical ideas for connecting with people of all faiths and backgrounds through common concerns and activities that promote respect and support. It enables communities rich with diversity to work together to create paths toward justice and peace. http://www.skylightpaths.com/

The Interfaith Manual

by the Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Albert

At a Religious Diversity Day seminar on Sunday 11/9 at the University of California at Irvine, "The Interfaith Manual" was selected as the book of choice by the professors from the various UC campuses teaching Interfaith and Comparative Religion. 

The manual explores what 12 faiths believe about 40 different areas of life. It is written by a New Thought Minister and edited by Clergy from all 12 faiths. It is a 376 Page Paperback, 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” format, and Spiral Bound for Easy Copying.

For more information see http://www.rebootonline.org/IMflyer.pdf

Illuminations. Expressions of the personal spiritual experience

by Mark Tompkins and Jennifer McMahon

The results of Tompkins and McMahon’s enterprise are creatively and intentionally presented around six themes: The questions; Following a path; Dark times; Beauty and mystery; Rites and religion; and Divine discourse. The various entries offer profound, poignant and precious insights into “moments of illumination” (McMahon).

Beyond Tolerance Searching for Interfaith Understanding in America

By Gustav Niebuhr

A former New York Times Religion reporter takes the reader on a hopeful journey through America’s religious heartland, shining a light on the multitude of congregations that are reaching across theological boundaries not with tolerance, but with respect.

Books, Teens and Children

A world of faith. Introducing spiritual traditions to teens

by Carolyn Pogue

Ms. Pogue’s book, A world of faith addresses the matter of spiritual traditions and adolescence. Ms. Pogue has prepared an interfaith primer particularly but not exclusively for use by teenagers. Though the volume would of interest to people of all ages from all faith traditions and none, it derives much of its wisdom and insight from nine teenagers whom Pogue interviewed and to whom she dedicates her book.

Review by Rob Hankinson http://www.nain.org/news/nn09winter.htm#_Toc221270369

Helena’s Voyage

In Helena’s Voyage, an angel takes a sick little girl named Helena on an ancient sailing boat far over the waves. They visit three glowing cities blessed by God - one Jewish, one Christian, one Muslim. Helena realizes that all these people believe the same divine law - to love God and their neighbor. Text is provided in English, Arabic and Hebrew.

Helena’s Voyage is an unusual interfaith book for children. It provides parents, teachers and religious leaders a gentle way to speak with children about courage, compassion, the Golden Rule, death, heaven, religious tolerance, peace and God’s love for us all. It introduces the interrelated traditions of the “Children of Abraham” – Jews, Christians and Muslims.

http://www.helenasvoyage.com/

Faith (Global Fund for Children)

Faith celebrates the diversity of religious expression around the world, with stunning photographs of children praying, singing, learning, and caring for one another and their communities. Intended for ages 4 through 10, Faith introduces young readers to religious tolerance by highlighting common threads that bring people together in reverence and joy.

http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/index.php/Our-Work/New-Book-Releases.html

Usborne Book of World Religions (World Cultures)

By Susan Meredith (Paperback - Jan 2006)

This well-written book ought to be required reading for young people (and adults) growing up in a very religiously diverse world. It is used as a text in some progressive schools.

The Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions: Internet-Linked

By Susan Meredith (Author), Clare Hickman (Author), Kirsteen Rogers (Author), Joanne Kirkby (Illustrator), Leonard Le Rolland (Illustrator), Verinder Bhachu (Illustrator)

This great book for young people covers a lot of different traditions, including some Indigenous traditions and African diasporic religions. The book describes concepts in a simplified form making it easy for young readers. It is used in school World Religions courses. The book has links to relevant Internet sites.