By Dawn Blundell
Representatives of several faiths gathered at the Fallon Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 21, for an interfaith question-and-answer event designed to encourage understanding among people of different religious traditions.
The event was organized locally by the Rev. Dawn Blundell of Epworth United Methodist Church and Mary Sorensen, communications director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Panelists included the president of the Nevada Interfaith Association, Buddhist priest the Rev. Matthew Fisher; the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed; Bruce Mills of the Bahá’í faith; Mark Hyde of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and the Rev. Jim Kelley of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. A message was also shared from Anthony Shafton, an atheist member of the association who was unable to attend.
The event began with each panelist answering the question, “Who is God (or the divine) to me, and why does it matter?” Then, the panelists answered questions from the audience. Panelists were also available after the event to talk with audience members and answer more questions.
Several attendees shared how meaningful they found the event, and how much they appreciated seeing the openness and camaraderie between the panelists. Several also expressed the desire for more events like this one in the future.
“I loved it,” said Bernadette Franke. “The dialogue was respectful and informative. Love thy neighbor, aka do good deeds, aka be of service, was a common thread from each speaker. I felt we're not so different after all.”
“I could write a book, probably, about what I have learned from those whose beliefs and practices are different from my own,” said Blundell. “Most of all, I’ve learned the joy of kinship as one colorful, weird, wonderful human family. It is so much better to learn than to assume…to understand than to judge…to love than to fear.”
“Tonight,” she continued, “is just a little something to foil the plans of the dark forces that prefer we be divided, and connect us as humans instead.”
Organizers intend to put together another interfaith event in the spring, which would include representatives from Islam, Judaism, the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, and local Christian churches that were unable to participate this time.
“Interfaith dialogue is the art of turning differences in belief into bridges of understanding, shared humanity, and respect,” said Rajan Zed. “It is about learning to sit comfortably in a shared hallway…it is about honoring every human being…it begins when we start welcoming it as an invitation to understand.”
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