Faith and Cohesion Project

1 Commonalities

Are we as citizens aware that all people share common aspirations, needs and concerns by virtue of their humanity? Do we recognize similarities and common humanity when we discuss matters of faith, culture and experience? 

2 Diverse Perspectives 

Are we as citizens aware that, with regard to every event in the past and in the news, there are different perceptions, interpretations and perceptions? For example, that there are different perceptions, outlooks and understandings of British Jews, Muslims and Hindus?

3. Diversity within Diversity

Do we as citizens each play our part in counteracting over-simplified, stereotypical views by recognizing and acknowledging that within every culture and faith tradition there are different viewpoints, lifestyles and beliefs? For example, do we tell others that there are many differeces within Christian or Muslim cultures and experiences? 

4. Narratives

Do we as citizens recognize that every culture and faith interprets its history and self-understanding through specific 'grand narratives' and that these contribute to the identity of individuals. Do we appreciate that each of these narratives is important, the Rastafafarian or Black-led Christian Churches just as much as the Church of England or Roman Catholic narrative?

5. Multiple Identities

Do we recognize that many people have a range of affiliations, loyalties and senses of belonging? Are we aware that some of us have different roles and behaviour patterns within different settings and that we may switch between roles and behaviour patterns according to context?

6. Status and Credibility

Are we prepared to give status to the experience and achievements of people, whatever their background, faith or culture? For example, is our point of comparison the dominant culture ('Anglo', 'Scots', etc.) or are we prepared to acknowlege Black, Muslim and other faith perspectives? 

7. Tackling Racism

How developed is our understanding of racism (for example, distinctions between colour and cultural racism, personal and institutional) and of ways of preventing and addressing it? Are we prepared to tackle the underlying causes of Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia?

8. Interdependence and Borrowing

Do we recognize that all understanding and human development are dependent upon the prior achievements of others, who may be from different faith or cultural traditions? Do we acknowledge the extent to which the achievement of the Renaissance in the West was dependent upon Islamic culture for the transmission of knowledge from the classical world? Do we recognize that the mathematical knowledge attributed to the Renaissance in the West was a development emanating from Hindu thought?

9. Positive Role Models

Do we recognize and celebrate the achievements of people from a range of faiths, cultures and backgrounds as inventors, entrepreneurs, leaders and artists and that they have demonstrated creativity, initiative and moral courage? Do we give a place of significance to such thinkers and achievers, irrespective of their background? 

10. Normal not Exotic

Do we appreciate that diversity and a range of faiths are aspects of contemporary experience and ordinary, daily, life and not merely a feature of distant lands?

11. Potential for Excellence Everywhere

Are we aware that the potential for excellence is not restricted to people within the dominant faith and culture, but that people of all faiths and cultures today and in the past have been able and are able to achieve excellence?

12. Inclusion

Are we prepared to work towards a culture of inclusion, recognizing that peoples of all cultures and faiths (and those who subscribe to no faith) are equally worthy of consideration and have an equal claim to citizenship?

13 Dynamic Culture

Do we recognize that societies, and cultures within them, are constantly changing and developing? Are we aware of the fact that there is no fixed, static, view or perspective for a cultural group in time or place? Do we encourage faith groups to discuss how faith can respond to the changing nature of an increasingly globalized society? Are we prepared to acknowledge the contributions of all, including those with no faith, towards building a more harmonious society?

14 Practical Outcomes

Are we prepared to work with others who are different from ourselves towards common goals that will help create a more harmonious and cohesive society? 

15 Youth Empowerment and Leadership Development

If we are no longer in the younger generations, are we willing to help empower young people to work together to embrace difference and acknowledge diversity while working towards increasing cohesion and harmony in our society? If we are among the younger generations, are we willing to come forward to develop leadership skills to help achieve a more cohesive and harmonious society? 

16 Community Involvement and Engagement

Do we acknowledge, through practical activities of involvement and engagement, the needs of others in our community and the need for communities to interact with each other for the common good?

17 Human Rights Framework

Are our actions, and those of our community, consistent with the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights? Do we subscribe to the 'principle of reciprocity', of doing good to others and not harming them, as expressed in the Golden Rule acknowledged by all the world's main faiths and the humanist tradition?

18 Currency and Relevance 

Twenty years ago the issues discussed the previous points might have seemed unimportant or irrelevant. Recent events, 9/11/2001 and 7/7/2005 in particular, have shown that they are of critical significance in working towards a harmonious society in which all are valued equally irrespective of their background, and whether or not they form part of a 'minority' or a 'majority' in a particular locality. Please use the resources which we have gathered together in this 'toolkit' to work towards a harmonious and inclusive society ― not at some distant time in the future but NOW. And thank you for working on these materials with us.