January Dialogue: "What Do You Want to Know about Christianity?"

The Brookings Interfaith Council will next meet at 6:30 pm on January 23, 2014, at the Islamic Society of Brookings (724 11th Avenue). Join us for a potluck, followed by discussion around "What Do You Want to Know about Christianity?"

This will be a special opportunity for non-Christians to ask Christians questions about Christianity. What have you wanted to know about the Christian faith but never had the opportunity to ask (or been afraid to)? Here are some sample questions that might help you identify your own:

• What is the Christian view of the Bible?
• What are denominations? 
• What is baptism?
• Do all Christians think Jesus was God?
• How do Christians regard non-Christians?
• What is communion?
• How do Christians account for the presence of evil and suffering in God's world?
• What does it mean to be a Christian?
• Is the United States a Christian nation?
• What is the crucifixion? The resurrection? The ascension?
• Is Christianity a religion of peace? Are Christians nonviolent?
• What is an "evangelical Christian"?
• What kind of God do Christians believe in?
• What are the major Christian holidays?
• Who leads the church? Who has authority?
• What do Christians believe happens after death?
• What is salvation?

Bring a dish to share if you're able, or just bring yourself and a friend. Table service will be provided.

Welcome to Our New Website

The Brookings Interfaith Council (BIC) welcomes you to our new online home. We hope that it will become your home, too.

We invite you to sign up to receive updates to this blog by email (see the box in the navigation bar at right). You'll stay up-to-date regarding upcoming events, community concerns, recommended resources, and more.

To receive email reminders about BIC events, contact us. We hope that you'll join us for one of our discussions soon.

If you're looking for a local faith community to explore, or for a resource person from a faith other than your own to engage in dialogue, consider emailing one of the representatives listed on our contact page.

To close, we offer this food for thought from David R. Smock, author of Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding:

It is only when there is a deep understanding of one's own religious beliefs and commitments that progress can be made in achieving true understanding and respect for the religious values and beliefs of others. Engaging in interfaith dialogue does not in any way mean undermining one's own faith or religious tradition. Indeed, interfaith dialogue is constructive only when people become firmly grounded in their own religious traditions and through that process gain a willingness to listen and respect the beliefs of other religions.