Faith and Our Work
The Michigan Roundtable’s history dates back to 1941 when it facilitated dialogue between the Christian and Jewish community. Over time, our work has expanded to the Muslim community as well as other beliefs, i.e., Buddhist, Hindu, etc. Many times our entry point into the community has been through the faith communities. They provide a natural entry point. Much like our other work, we believe that education, dialogue and relationship building can bring a greater understanding to all the faith communities. The Michigan Roundtable is committed to promoting the positive role of religion in our communities. Our mission is to promote the positive and healing role of religion. As racial and cultural diversity adds to the richness of a community, so does religious diversity. Our commitment is to inter-religious dialogue, education and cooperative service to our shared community aimed at eliminating discord and enabling all to live together. The Roundtable has supported the Muslim community in Warren when the mosque was desecrated. We have supported the inclusion of the Hindu community in the National Day of Prayer celebration in Troy when they were excluded from it. Our work in Troy became a case study at Harvard. In Plymouth-Canton, we became involved when the expansion of the Hindu temple met opposition from the residents. Our programs are not only geared for adults, but we also address issues of religion and culture in high schools and middle schools.
Our work in the faith community does carryover into our recognition, reconciliation and renewal work. The faith community is one of the stakeholders in any community where we work. Many believe that the process of reconciliation is faith/religious based because of the tenets of forgiveness and mercy. Archbishop Tutu is his book, No Future Without Forgiveness, ties the post-apartheid truth and reconciliation process in South Africa to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the lessons in the bible.
miroundtable.wordpress.com 
April 10, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I definitely think the MI Roundtable is on the right track working with the faith community. I am a firm believer in the power and importance of faith in healing communities. While communities of faith do so much to mend broken relationship and restore communities, it is often over looked. Many people fail to realize the significant role faith has played in shaping America.
The Declaration of Independence is such an intriguing document because it courageously addresses both the secular and spiritual nature of individuals and institutions. References to God, Creator, and Divine Providence demonstrate a belief in a being beyond human existence. Faith compelled the “Founding Fathers” to pioneer the journey toward the American Dream. Their faithful spirit must move beyond the sturdy walls of Congress to the fragile sidewalks of impoverished neighborhoods. It is a person’s faith that makes them take steps toward their dreams. As people’s faith in something bigger, more powerful than themselves increases, we will draw closer to the dream of creating a nation where all people have the opportunities needed to succeed and thrive. It is this Faith Stimulus, not just an economic stimulus, which will once again put our nation back on track toward the American Dream.
Who else better to lead this faith stimulus than the Faith Community. As the cornerstone of neighborhoods and local communities, Faith leaders can direct the crusade of restoring hope to American citizens. America is not a nation of independent institutions but a society of diverse yet inextricably linked individuals. Restoring their faith we will rekindle the flames of faith ignited by the Declaration of Independence and produce an invaluable Faith Stimulus Package.