The Amazing Faiths Project
Tolerance Begins at Home.

Never, in the history of the world, has it been more important that people of faith come together, to build communities of mutual understanding, tolerance and respect; for if we do not, our differences and extremes will at the least create barriers between us, and at worst, destroy us.

Our History

In 2006, Roy Spence published a book titled, The Amazing Faith of Texas which explores, through photographs and personal essays, the wide variety of expressions of faith in his native Texas. He wanted this book to stand in opposition to the way faith was portrayed in the media during the 2004 presidential election. Houston Mayor Bill White was a part of the book, and believed so strongly in the ideals expressed by the book that he wanted to find a way to showcase those ideals, in a tangible way, in Houston. Mayor White asked Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and The Boniuk Center for Religious Tolerance at Rice University how Houston might find a way to celebrate the religious diversity of Houston. A plan to have a night of Dinner Dialogues where individuals from different faiths and backgrounds could join in a discussion of faith and spirituality was developed.

In January, 2007, twenty volunteer hosts opened their homes to men and women from diverse faith traditions and cultural backgrounds for an evening of passionate, deeply personal, and peaceful discussions of life, spirituality and faith.

The first Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues were such a great success that we are inspired to make the Dinner Dialogues an annual event. Over the next three years the goal is to have tens of thousands of people in Houston and tens, even hundreds of thousands of people in cities across America, and internationally, participate in The Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues on the same night.

Our Goals.

The goals for the Amazing Faiths Project and the Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues are very ambitious.

Over the next few years, we anticipate the Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues will expand to hundreds, even thousands, of homes, not just here in Houston, but in cities across the United States and around the world, creating a world-wide movement towards understanding, respect, and reconciliation among people of all faith traditions. As this movement grows, thousands upon thousands of people will join us to share in this amazing evening of fellowship, dialogue, and exploration once a year, all over the world on the same night.

WHAT ARE THE DINNER DIALOGUES?

These gatherings held across the city and across the country provide an opportunity for first-hand, person-to-person, fellowship that opens the door to genuine respect and understanding, hopefully leading to a more tolerant, respectful community and world. It is hoped that these Dinner Dialogues will inspire a world-wide movement where thousands people regardless of their faith tradition will stand as witnesses against the climate of intolerance, religious bigotry, and hatred that abounds in the world today.

Around the table, over a simple dinner, people of diverse backgrounds break bread together and share their personal thoughts about life, faith, spirituality, and living and working together on this earth. Each group of participants is pre-selected for its diversity, and is led by a trained facilitator who guides and moderates the dialogue so that everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. As each speaker shares his/her thoughts and ideas the other participants actively listen to the speaker's response, without challenging or commenting on what is being said.

The hosts provided a simple, nutritious meal that accommodated whatever faith-based dietary restrictions their guests may have had. The meal was a symbolic act of tolerance, respect, and understanding; breaking bread together showed an appreciation for each group's diverse composition.

Each home group was assigned a volunteer facilitator responsible for guiding a civil and educated discussion about Houston's diverse faith traditions and sense of spirituality. To initiate the discussions, each participant received a "Dinner Dialogue Card" that posed a 'faith or spiritual question,' to which they responded.

For more information about the Amazing Faiths Project, please contact us.

Upcoming Events.

Spiritual Gathering for Women of Faith - September 18, 2008

Faith Tours explore Quaker and Jewish faiths.

View more IM and Community Events

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The Amazing Faiths Project