Acting on Faith: Stories of Courage, Activism, and Hope Across Religions
edited by Diane Faires Beadle and Jamie Lynn Haskins
Ever wonder what your neighbors of different faiths think -- and do -- in response to today’s social justice issues?
In this collection of 30 first-person stories from eight different faith traditions, hear how diverse religious beliefs inspire generous acts of justice and love amidst our world’s violence and divisions. Divided into six sections, including Care for the Environment, Race and Privilege, Gender and Women’s Leadership, and Immigration and Refugees, these personal stories illuminate faith enacted, while shining a light into the diverse beliefs practiced by our neighbors, and our shared hopes for building a better world.
Reflection questions with each chapter make this book perfect for small group study or read as a private devotional. Acting on Faith inspires hope and encourages personal action through concrete examples of faithfulness, justice, and love from those on the front lines of activism and advocacy.
A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County’s (NC) Interfaith Build.
Download the Acting on Faith Discussion Guide
Chapters Include:
- Care for the Environment
- Race and Privilege
- Immigration and Refugees
- Sexuality and Gender Identity
- Gender and Women’s Leadership
- Interfaith Conflict and Extremism
- Resources for Engagement
Book Trailer
Endorsements
"Editors Beadle and Haskins ambitiously seek to raise interfaith awareness by sharing the lived experiences of ecumenical activists working toward religious understanding … the reflection questions as well as the resources for engagement are incredibly useful. Overall, this is a helpful primer to interfaith communication.” —From the review in Library Journal
"Read this book and feel God tapping you on the shoulder every few pages as I did. Youthful voices finding wisdom in their friendships, pain and questions, alongside experienced faith leaders surprised by the joy of discovering justice in new corners as they wrestle their faith to the ground."—Rob Wilson-Black, CEO, Sojourners
"I LOVE this book. It has wisdom from different traditions, friendship across faiths, learning through engaging diversity, stories of vision turned into concrete action, and so much more. It brought me back to the core idea behind Interfaith Youth Core – all traditions call on us to serve others, and there is no greater joy or more important task than to do so together. Thank you to everyone involved in this project for this gift to the world."―Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core
"This poignant look into the heart of our various religious traditions is a celebration of the power of The Holy moving in us and through us in many voices and spiritual traditions. Telling stories, human stories, helps lead us into faith-filled celebration of our differences as grace marks and reminds us do the work of everyday justice."―Emilie M. Townes, Dean and E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
"An unprecedented and deeply important work! Many in our time see religion either as an escape from the challenges of the world, or as a source of division, exploitation, and oppression. Tragically, too often leaders and practitioners, acting in the name of religion, reinforce those perceptions. Thank God, Acting on Faith reminds us that at the heart of religion indeed, of all religions are the principles of human dignity, equality, and responsibility to each other and the planet. This inspiring book challenges us all, regardless of our background or beliefs, to work individually and collectively with people like us and with people different from us to advance love, justice, and peace. Acting on Faith is exactly what our world needs right now."—Michael Rose Knopf, rabbi and author, Thirty Days of Liberation: Pathways For Personal And Social Transformation Inspired By The Book Of Exodus
"Acting on Faith grants readers access to life changing stories offered in truly diverse voices. Though the responses to the most pressing challenges and questions of our age are unsurprisingly varied across religious traditions, the good will, self-reflection, and commitment to interfaith justice work articulated by each contributor promises a future -- and present -- in which that polarization can be transformed. Faires Beadle and Haskins have assembled a hope-filled, and very necessary resource."―Bromleigh McCleneghan, pastor, author, and co-editor, When Kids Ask Hard Questions: Faith-filled Responses to Tough Topics
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