Why Interfaith Work Matters

We believe that the world religions share a common purpose: to unite people across cultural, social, economic, and ethnic identities, sharing in spiritual values of justice, love, compassion, truthfulness, wonder, humility, and openness to learning.

Bridging religious divides begins with relationships and connection. It is our unique and separate backgrounds, cultures, and traditions that actually lead to our strongest collaborations. In this model of diversity, faith isn’t a source of strife and difference, rather it can provide for inspiration and cooperation. Our faith traditions share many life-affirming values at their core which bring us together: the promotion of peace, care for the poor, justice for oppressed peoples, and relief of suffering.

Interreligious dialogue is both a learning process of spiritual growth and a set of experiences that can have a transforming effect.

ION’s practice involves building relationships, gathering appreciative knowledge, and cultivating positive attitudes with the goal of building meaningful connections with those of different faiths.

ION inspires us to reach out across ethnic and religious barriers to form deep, diverse relationships. We promote the unity of humankind while celebrating its diversity. This is the basis of our principle unity in diversity.

“Many Paths to the Light” is a 2023 article in Friends Journal by ION rep, Peter Blood, about his involvement in Interfaith Opportunities Network and why interfaith work is so important in our world today.

Find Out More

• Go to the “Activities” page to learn of our shared values and our unique life-faith journeys
• Go to the “Projects” page to lean how ION acts on shared spiritual values with a shared concern for justice, compassion, equity and human well-being.