Tapestry of Faith: A Chorus of Faiths: A Program That Builds Interfaith Youth Leaders

Leader Resource 1: Tough Comment Cards

What is a Unitarian Universalist anyway?

Why is G-d not spelled out in the Jewish excerpt?

I think helping people is a good thing but I don't see why, if you don't have any religion, you would think helping people is important.

I don't see why we have to talk about religion. We're all just part of one human family and we can see from this sheet that we all have the same values anyway.

I think that instead of worrying about this stuff, each persone should just try to be a good person.

It's obvious that these scriptures were all picked because they have similar messages. Aren't you just covering up the religious conflict?

Even though religions share these good values, it doesn't mean the people from those religions act in that way. Maybe we should talk about how people act and not what their books say.

I really have no interest in being proselytized; I'm totally committed to my tradition. Can you guarantee that no one will try to convert me today? It's so offensive.

Why would a UU congregation be committed to service? Don't you just kind of believe whatever you want?

Well, I personally think all religions are equal and believe in all religions, so I like all of these verses equally.

Well, they basically all say that service is good, which everybody should already know. Why do you need some book to tell you that?

I'm surprised to see this passage about service from the Qur'an. I didn't think Muslims believed in serving others

What is the Jain tradition?

I only believe in doing service to those who really deserve it, like hurricane or other disaster victims. So many service programs focus on helping homeless people or inmates. I feel like if they made the choice to not work, or to use drugs, or to break the law, then that is their problem and they don't deserve other people helping them out from their bad choices.

(After you reveal yourself as UU) I think it's really offensive how you say you believe in some of my faith and not the rest. You can't just cherry-pick from my scriptures like that, it's all or nothing.

The service stuff everyone is talking about seems nice, and I've definitely had fun cleaning up parks and tutoring kids. But what difference are we really making? Do any of you ever feel like your service does more for you than for the world?

I'm really enjoying this conversation, and like you all so much. But aren't we being naﶥ to think that this will help interfaith conflict? If we're ignoring stuff like Israel/Palestine and abortion, aren't we just putting off an inevitable fight?

The first Muslims I've ever met were through this citywide service project I did in high school. I understand that some Muslims in America are working for peace, but what about the Muslims who hate us? With all that's going on in the world, it's hard for me to see Islam as a religion that does not promote violence.

Tutoring kids in my neighborhood has always been a big part of my life, because when I see humans wanting I have to address it. So I admire the service of these religious people. But that doesn't change the fact that many of you think I'm going to Hell forever, just because I don't believe in God. How am I supposed to feel ok with that?

I never really did service before. I am always so busy with my dancing that I don't have time to do anything else. Two days a week I have group lessons, two days a week private lessons, and then two days a week I work with the younger students to help them learn the steps.

I do service because it's required for school and looks good on college applications. Once a week I go to a nursing home and hang out with residents there. Sometimes I read them a book or play a game with them. Other times we just talk.

It's easy for me to see how interfaith work makes sense for your congregation, since you agree a little bit with everybody. But what about me? I think my religion is 100 percent right, and working with others might be condoning things I know aren't true.

All my friends are from different religious backgrounds. We talk to each other about our faith identities and sometimes we even go to church/mosque/synagogue/temple together. My friends and I know a lot about each other's religions and respect each other's identities so I don't think it's necessary for us to do service together too.

What's that symbol on your church? A goblet or something?

I think that it's important for me to first serve in my community. Especially since there is so much prejudice towards Muslims today, I really think it's important to for me to focus my efforts on the problems facing my community before I can engage in pluralism.