CHARLESTON, W.Va. –An interfaith forum aimed at bringing individuals of different faiths together for conversation is coming to Charleston on Monday.
The Root and Branch Interfaith Discussion Group is hosting an event at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Virginia Street.
Discussion moderator Mark Atkinson, who appeared on 580 Live last week, said the events, which have been held for years, were created by a woman named Hazel Crowley.
The discussion, titled “Root and Branch: Sharing Wisdom: Similarities and Differences Between Catholicism and Other Great Religious Traditions,” will feature several religious leaders and scholars, including Imam Nasir Abdussalam, Molly Linehan Belcher, and Rabbi Victor Urecki.
Atkinson said the discussions are designed to explore similarities and differences in a respectful way.
“It’s not a place to proselyte, it’s not a place to argue, it’s not a place to say I’m right and you’re wrong, it’s a place to come and learn about the other folks around us and hopefully come away knowing each other a little better,” he said.
The main focus of this discussion is Catholicism.
He described what a typical discussion will be like.
“Typical discussion group would be focusing on Catholicism, its history, its roots, maybe some of the things that are going on today in the world and then toward the end we’ll have, in this group, Rabbi Urecki and our Imam, pitch in and say hears our views about it,” Atkinson said.
He said the discussion will likely last about an hour, followed by time for attendees to ask specific questions about the different religions.
Atkinson said they believe all religions share some common ground.
“We like to say our similarities are greater than our differences, and I think that’s true of all religions,” he said. “These are great people; they’ve become my friends and their just fantastic and share their time.”
The event, starting at 7 p.m., is free and open to the public.