The issue of religious pluralism has become a critical imperative in our time.  When different religions and worldviews were limited to their respective communities of believers this was not the case.  However, in a global age, with each theology struggling to maintain its unique claim to Truth, the clash of worldviews has become a dominant theme.  If we are to succeed as a global society -- and there is no turning back from that any more -- then the adherents of diverse religions must make a serious effort to mutually understand each other.  In short, we must build bridges of respect and compassion amongst ourselves.

The art featured in the poster for this festival, depicting bridges between a collection of sacred places, was designed by Fr. Arthur Poulin, a Camaldolese monk.  First printed as a Christmas card, the inside read, “Let there be peace on earth.”  The painting captures the spirit of the Interreligious Art & Music Festival, the goal of which is to bring together the larger community to learn more about the many faith traditions, through art, in an environment of individuals who value all world religions.

Don't be late! The music will start at 1pm sharp.
The musical peformance from each tradition will last between 20 and 25 minutes.

After the festival, you are invited to meditate for world peace at 5:15pm (one hour).

Hosted by the Institute for World Religions Refreshments provided by Teance

At first sight, the diversity of the American religious landscape seems a noisy cacophony.  In contrast, Jewish immigrant Horace Kallen viewed America's pluralism as a symphony—sounding not in unison but in harmony:

"As in an orchestra, every type of instrument has its specific timbre and tonality, founded in its substance and form; as every type has its appropriate theme and melody in the whole symphony, so in society each ethnic group is the natural instrument, its spirit and culture are its theme and melody, and the harmony and dissonances and discords of them all make the symphony of civilization, with this difference: a musical symphony is written before it is played; in the symphony of civilization the playing is the writing, so that there is nothing so fixed and inevitable about its progressions as in music, so that within the limits set by nature they may vary at will, and the range and variety of the harmonies may become wilder and richer and more beautiful."

In this light, the different religious expressions can be seen as different themes or melodies contributing to the greatest symphony of all, the unity of Supreme Being.  Each part of the music and art of religious diversity is connected to the rest and adds something significant to the Symphony of Difference (for more, see Diana Eck’s book on pluralism in America).