But if we take a risk and open ourselves to new perspectives—
new lenses on our shared life—we will see new places where
creative community growth can happen. We will have the
opportunity to express our own beliefs and values with others,
as well as bring the best of our religious traditions to the task
of addressing common problems, allowing others to see the
world through our eyes.
An interreligious lens is for all of us—for believers and non-
believers alike; for those who regularly preach, teach, and lead
sacred services as well as those who worship quietly in the
back of the sanctuary; for those who nd holiness and
meaning in community service and aid to others; for teachers
and students in all kinds of classrooms; for neighbors and for
strangers. For you and for me.
All of us have ethics that shape our actions and worldviews
that give us meaning. All of us have dehumanizing blindspots
of religious bias and bigotry, which prevent us from fully
seeing our neighbors. That is why ICJS works to share the
benets of an interreligious lens with several audiences:
▪ the general public
▪ congregational leaders
▪ clergy, chaplains, and religious leaders
▪ teachers
▪ civic and nonprot leaders
▪ seminary students and
▪ higher education faculty
If we want to create a multireligious democracy where
people of all religions—including no religion—can ourish,
we need to be able to see the world, and one another,
with an interreligious lens.
Irfan Malik Heather Miller Rubens, Ph.D.
President, Executive Director and
Board of Trustees Roman Catholic Scholar
Looking through an interreligious lens
If you’ve ever had an eye exam, you’ve no doubt had the disorienting
experience of having the doctor flip through a series of lenses, some blurry
and disorienting, others better, until the right one clicks into place and you
see the world anew. Interreligious encounters often provide a similar experience.
Looking at life through a neighbor’s religious worldview can be like looking
through a series of lenses. Some make things look fuzzy, while others provide
a clearer perspective.
Photo by Laura Urban.
A Note of Gratitude from Heather:
I would like to express my gratitude to Irfan Malik as he completes his
term as ICJS Board President. Irfan stepped into leadership in 2020,
when the COVID-19 pandemic moved us all into our homes and moved
ICJS online. Yet thanks in no small part to Irfan’s partnership and
guidance over the past three years, ICJS is a stronger organization,
better positioned to make our vision of the interreligious society come
to life.
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