Discussions

Discussion meetings

Some local inter faith bodies focus primarily on social issues with a special focus on current issues of concern locally and how faith groups can respond jointly to these, for example:

	Disadvantage or discrimination experienced by different faith groups
	Economic and social needs of the area
	Religious education and collective worship in local schools
	Provision for people of different faiths in hospitals, prisons and other public institutions

Or on general social issues:

	The environment
	Human rights
	Money and business ethics
	Religion, peace and violence

Other local inter faith bodies may discuss social issues but also have meetings with themes linked specifically to beliefs and religious practices or to broad moral or religious issues such as:

	God or the nature of Ultimate Reality
	Shared values
	Aspects of prayer, meditation and worship
	Fasting
	Scriptures
	Religious festivals
	Attitudes to other faiths
	Understandings of the life cycle in different religions
	The virtuous life
	The roles of men and women
	Saints or holy men and women
	Music

Some topic areas can be difficult. In particular, if it is decided to focus on a particular religious or political conflict in another country there needs to be very careful consideration of how to ensure a balance of perspectives and to secure a discussion which does not cause offence or hurt to some of the participants.

Rochdale Multi Faith Partnership held a meeting in Littleborough to help people learn about other faiths. There were displays on the details of birth, death and marriage and charity in the different faiths. A Hindu guest speaker was invited to explain in slightly more detail about these rites in the Hindu faith. The Hindu speaker, along with a Muslim and two Christian representatives then took questions from the floor ranging from the queries about specifics of how rites are performed to philosophical questions about the nature of death. Similar meetings, but with variation in inputs from different faiths, were held by Rochdale Multi Faith Partnership in Heywood and Middleton.
Rochdale Multi Faith Partnership

We held an evening which looked at the use of music in both our faiths - this involved musicians from both faiths and a Christian church choir. It was extremely well attended (over 100) and very well received. All ages took part and attended.
Hitchin Sikh-Christian Forum

Members of Harrow Inter Faith Council in discussion

In this section

Find a local inter faith body
Getting started
    Checklist
    Aims and names
    Venues for meetings
Practical matters
   Membership patterns
   Groundrules
   Constitutions
   Calendar matters
   Catering for events
   Times for meetings
   Media
   Statements
   Web sites
   Financial issues
   Charitable status
   Volunteers and staff
   Premises
   Local Authorities
   Local Strategic Partnerships
Activities
   Awareness raising
   Charity fundraising
   Discussion meetings
   Diversity training
   Environmental projects
   Health and emergency services
   Joint events
   Special events
   Multi faith civic ceremonies
   Pilgrimages
   Prayer and worship
   Responding to tensions
   Social gatherings
   Trips and exchanges
   Visiting places of worship
   Women
   Working with schools
   Young people
Local Inter Faith Survey