Bridging Belief: Our First Event
Cultural Connections’ first event concluded on Sunday. Our organization brought together people of 6 different religions and of all ages together to have meaningful conversations bridge the gaps that exist in our society. The great weather, gorgeous landscape, and positive vibes all contributed to really making this event a great one. Although I personally had pretty low expectations, our participants spoke and learned for almost 2 hours (and surely could’ve gone on for many more) about issues and topics from religion to artificial intelligence. This post serves as an introduction to these events that we hope to continue in the future, and I’ll be outlining a few of the most important takeaways from the event for those who couldn’t attend.
Takeaway 1: The Real Root of Religious Conflict
One of the biggest ideas that emerged from Sunday was the fact that religious conflict doesn't actually begin in pews, temples, or mosques. Politics is where it all begins. People from six different religions shared their stories with us during the event. Their similarities rather than differences in beliefs were what caught my attention. When discussing the value of kindness and charity, a Christian grandmother and a Muslim teen found themselves nodding in agreement. When a Hindu girl and a Jewish man saw how similar their treatment of elders was, they both laughed. People were inquisitive rather than hostile, even when discussing theology in greater detail.
But everyone seemed to agree that how religion is used is what separates us, not religion itself. "People use the term zionism as a code that refers to Judaism and often associate Netanyahu's policies with the religion as a whole," stated one Jewish participant. I was deeply affected by that. Because division garners votes or clicks, leaders and media personalities all too frequently exaggerate our differences. Even though the real experience of sitting across from someone of a different faith is nothing like the fear we've been taught, those stories eventually begin to feel like the truth.
Nobody was arguing over who was "right" or attempting to convert others at our gathering. Instead, they talked about rituals, family customs, and spiritual uncertainties, the kinds of things that don't make news but foster genuine understanding. Perhaps the problem lies not in religion itself, but rather in the way religion is used to create divisions between "us" and "them." And those lines begin to fade when we actually spend time together.
Takeaway #2: Broader Non-Religious Dialogue
One of the most surprising and honestly refreshing parts of the event was how much the conversation flowed off-script. We had some guiding questions to spark discussion around mutual understanding when it comes to faith, but within minutes, groups were already taking the conversation to totally different places. And that's exactly what made it feel real.
Instead of rigidly sticking to one topic, people let the conversation go where it wanted to. At one table, and older participant shared that when he was young, the biggest fear of his was being drafted into war, Vietnam to be particular. He said it genuinely moved him to hear that today's teens are stressed about things like getting into college or dealing with online pressure. In his words, "It's just a whole different world." That simple exchange opened up a thoughtful discussion about generational shifts, values, and what we can all learn from one anther.
At another table, what began as a comparison of religions somehow ended up in a full conversation about AI! These weren't easy topics, but that's what made them so interesting and engaging. There was no need to be an expert. People just brought their thoughts, questions, and curiosity.
What made these moments so special is that they reflected the exact kind of space we're trying to create with Cultural Connections, not just a "religious dialogue" event, but a space for meaningful conversation across all kinds of differences, whether generational, ideological, and even technological.
Takeaway #3: The Sheer Personal Impact These Events Can Have
What really got to me was the way people felt after the event, rather than even the conversations themselves. Everyone who took part was truly moved. You could hear it in their voices and see it in their faces. The majority arrived anticipating a lighthearted Sunday conversation, but instead left with something that was obviously important to them, something they were unaware they were lacking.
After only half an hour of conversation, one woman actually turned to face the person she had been paired with and said, "You know, I consider us close friends now." They had already decided to get together for dinner later that week. Another group passed around phones to share contact info, not out of politeness but because they wanted to keep the conversation going.
This connection doesn't happen every day. It's not common. And that's precisely the point. The fact that everyone left with a desire for more indicates that most people's lives don't currently include these kinds of spaces. Real dialogue is required, as is the ability to listen and be heard without passing judgment.
That, in my opinion, is the most important lesson learned. These aren't merely "nice" events. They are necessary. And they have the ability to transform people, not in a lofty, idealistic sense, but in a way that makes you truly want to call someone a friend.
