The Gifts of Practical Pluralism in a Multi-faith Society
with Dr. Jan Jaynes Quesada
Saturday, February 22, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon CDT
In-person at Brite Divinity School

What is pluralism? Like the related term ‘interfaith,’ pluralism is grounded in a positive perception of the tremendous religious diversity of today’s United States. While diversity is a demographic fact, pluralism is an achievement. Religious pluralism refers to positive engagement, appreciative relationships, and a commitment to work for the common good across boundaries of religious difference within our multi-faith society. While the First Amendment protects religious liberty for all Americans, the voices of religious exclusivism and even Christian Nationalism signal that the vision of a pluralist U.S. society is often hotly contested.

So, what are the benefits of pluralism? How can religious diversity be a source of communal strength, rather than a source of division and hostility? The proper tools are needed. This workshop will introduce the basic principles of interfaith studies and the practices conducive to pluralism. Contemporary case studies will offer participants the chance to encounter the challenges of religious diversity and to explore ways in which an interfaith skill set can produce positive steps toward healthy, cohesive communities, defined by cooperation rather than polarization.

Dr. Jan Jaynes Quesada has taught Religion courses to undergraduates in the TCU Religion Department for the past 25 years. A native of Waco, Texas, Jan earned her B.A. with Honors in Religion and English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has an M.A. in Religion and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Baylor University. Her research focuses on women in biblical narratives and in historical Christian contexts. Along with biblical studies, she has also taught Interfaith classes since taking a summer seminar with Interfaith America founder Eboo Patel in 2018.

Register at https://epay.tcu.edu/stalcup_seminar/