Interfaith ≠ Centrist

Thesis

American progress depends upon the collective wisdom of the American people. Washington, D.C. is stuck in a holding pattern of pursuing safety through bipartisan and non-partisan research, analysis, and advocacy.

This has not worked. It will not work. America is a dynamic nation with an exceptionally deep bench of perspectives and approaches to solving problems.

We will not do right by the American people if we cannot accept we are fundamentally wrong.

Interfaith dialogue has existed for millennia

Working across the aisle is useful. It is not enough. You need to be rooted in who you are, and courageously understand what you are not.

Many religious communities and leaders have pioneered this modality. They engage in a world that is different from a place of refuge.

This happens every day. People can talk to one another when they structure the entirety of their identity and orientation to life differently, and sometimes learn things.

Time for DC to get with the program.

DC can improve interfaith dialogue

But to be honest, interfaith dialogue has been stuck for a long time.

When all is said and done, the ability of people of faith to learn from and grow is limited when the basis for conversation is to develop empathy.

Policy isn't just something to be improved — it is the substrate to develop conversations that can impact actions and decisions that we face right now.

People are understandably not excited to spend time learning if they are wrong about the things they are confident they are not wrong about.

But, competent people aggressively seek out how to improve their approach to the problems they are working on.

Centrism is cowardice, interfaith is integrity

If you are rooted in a sense of what you believe in, you will find value in a community that shares that identity and lets you freely imagine from there.

And if you believe in what you hold dear, then you have nothing to fear from rougher waters. You don't need to engage with the Harbor to use Rough Harbors — but it is our goal to make that worthwhile.

If your 8 is where you can focus on mutual support and community, the Harbor is where you can find challenges and tests.

Growth requires both. If you don't have both, try Rough Harbors.