posted April 28, 2008 01:59 PM            

I was wondering wouldn't it be a good idea to have some type of
religious convention so that all churches,religious organizations
could participate and interact with one another and discuss
religious,ideological differences and maybe learn that they have some
similarities that give them some common ground.
They could also have some debate about their beliefs,practices too
Also invite the religious leaders and others to set foot in their
congregations and to observe what goes on... learn to understand
different religious believers.
They could hold the religious convention every year.
There can be an annual survey about people's religious
beliefs,practices that also include matters dealing with tolerance.
They could answer questions that include how many of them know people
of different religions,how many people read books about different
religions including the actual books pertaining to religion like the
Bible in regards to Christianity,the Koran in regards to Islam....ask
questions about interfaith friendships/dating/relationships/marriages.
Ask questions about religious bigotry,discrimination whether they
were victims or perpetrators.
During the religious convention, there can be pamphlets about
religious,and so people can read about other's religions...they can do
surverys on them to see what they approve and disapprove of .
In schools, there could be elective classes on religion. I feel that
religion is very important subject to learn in school....because it
seems religion dominates American culture to the point that all
religious beliefs influence our politics. There could be field trips
to religious institutions to actually experience customs,traditions.
I also believe that we shouldn't just study the good stuff....but also
the bad stuff including persecutions and how religions can oppress
people and limit their rights.

Now this same thing can be done in regards to ethnic groups.

Their their differences and their similarities.....learn about the
similarities to find common ground.
There could be a multiethnic,multicultural week.....where people of
all ethnic groups get together, teach about their cultures and way of
life even included various cuisine. There could be
multicultural,multiethnic exhibits. There could be an annual survey
in regards to ethnic relations including questions like how many
people know people of certain ethnic groups, how many people go to
gatherings,functions that involve different ethnic groups, things like
food..
also ask things about interethnic friendships/dating/relationships/marriages
also ask negative stuff about experiences of ethnic
bigotry,discrimination. Ask about fears,resentments in regards to
ethnic groups....I also feel that questions of affirmative
action,reparations can be part of the survey. I also believe that
ethnic stereotypes need to be addressed during the survey to see how
many people believe in them.

These surveys can be done anonymously too.

I feel empathy and tolerance can only be done through actual
experiencing.

I feel that you have to walk a mile in a person's moccasins to
understand them.

That's just my view.

Raymond