Building Interfaith Bridges

West Michigan’s Journey Toward Principled Pluralism

By: Mary Vandergoot, Charles Honey, David Baak

Narrated by: Fred Stella

Like many places, West Michigan has a long history of religious diversity. People of many faiths have lived in the community for years on end. Yet unlike many places in the US, their interfaith journey has been cultivated with purpose and intention, filled with thoughtful dialogue, and nourished by a curiosity to learn about one another.

Throughout this examination of the interfaith experience in these communities, we see a framework for what’s possible in other communities across the country. This interfaith tale of two cities demonstrates that with committed individuals and the ability to acknowledge and honor differences, interfaith work can span decades and build lifelong relationships. This report follows up on the Religion & Society Program’s 2015 publication, Interfaith Engagement in West Michigan: A Brief History and Analysis. The report follows over 30 years of interfaith collaboration and partnership in two West Michigan communities, Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

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