Before the Boston Interfaith Leadership Initiative (BILI), I didn’t truly understand what interfaith interactions actually entailed. I thought BILI would teach me about the tenets of others’ religions in a very structured way. I’m so happy that I was wrong. 

My first real exposure to other religions was in eighth grade, when I took World History. In that class, we learned about the various theologies and practices of different sects of religions all across the world. Due to this, despite the obvious reality of intersectionality in real life, I believed that interfaith work largely consisted of learning about the faiths in general. However, over this past year, I’ve realized that learning these tenets is only scratching the surface of what interfaith interactions can be.

Almost every major religion has hundreds of deviations, and one could argue that no one’s worldview is exactly the same. Many people may say they are Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or atheist because their official tenets of these worldviews are closest to what they believe, but for many people, their own personal interpretation of their faith is much more important and much more meaningful than the most convenient shorthand they can use as a quick approximation. Through the discussions with my BILI fellows and through involvement in my university’s interfaith programming, I realized that faith as part of your identity cannot be sorted by any label. 

I believed that interfaith work largely consisted of learning about the faiths in general. However, over this past year, I’ve realized that learning these tenets is only scratching the surface of what interfaith interactions can be.

My initial belief was that in order to understand others from a religious perspective, I needed to learn the sacred texts and rituals of many religions. However, this is an inherently flawed approach because I would be examining the scripture and practices from my own interpretation with certain biases in mind, created by my life experience. Only through acknowledging how other people’s experiences and worldviews differ and listening honestly without expectations can one come to a better understanding of how others experience life. Listening with an open heart and mind to my fellow retreat participants and BILI fellows in honest conversation has given me an understanding of their faiths that is so much richer and more nuanced than I could ever get by researching what most people who share their label believe.

I think this revelation not only applies to interfaith interactions but also to my life in general. Often, we go around the world with certain unconscious assumptions about what other people are like, how the world should be, and how we are supposed to act. To actually challenge assumptions is hard because it’s difficult to even realize you have them when you are surrounded by people who have similar viewpoints. We often get caught up in our own cultural bubble, ignorant of others’ beliefs and experiences. Only by exposing yourself and being open to listen deeply to people with different cultural, political, or religious worldviews than your own can you come to a less clouded and ultimately more human version of reality. 

BILI has inspired me to continue my journey of immersing myself in new environments and being open to the stories of the rest of humanity. I am so grateful for the rich and productive conversations I had through the BILI program and the framework BILI has provided to encourage these discussions with future peers. Discussing our personal values and experiences not only provides a better understanding of our differences but also makes me deeply aware of the common values and goals that we may share. Conversations that confront all kinds of diversity ultimately connect us and allow us to unite to work together for a better world.