The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Lori Calmbacher

Barnard College
Mapping Typologies of Interfaith Structures in the United States

Center on Conscience & War (NISBCO) (2008)

Covered Women for God (2006)

Interfaith Coalition to Promote the General Welfare (2005)

Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) (2004)

North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) (2009)

Religions for Peace-USA (2006)

Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative (2004)

The development and impact of interfaith organizations and networks in the United States has become increasingly evident in the latter half of the twentieth century. Interfaith bodies color the landscapes of many of the nation's largest cities, as well as suburban and rural areas, and they are varied in their make-up and purpose. With interfaith organizations or networks, it is crucial to recognize that each has a unique nature that both separates it from and joins it with other interfaith organizations, whether it is related to other interfaith organizations or not.

Through my research I hope to identify the characteristics - the commonalities and differences - of these organizations in order to better classify them, with the long-term hope of better relating them to one another and strengthening the overall interfaith movement. To date, there is no systematic way for determining what constitutes an "interfaith" body, nor popularly understood centralized source(s) for finding or relating them to one another. Worse yet, the vital energies of a rich plenitude of emerging interfaith bodies are often lost upon the lack of communication with and relationship to existing interfaith organizations.

Through my research, I intend to locate and categorize distinct characteristics of these bodies to add to the existing database of the Pluralism Project. Although there is a state-by-state map of the religious centers in given states, the database could be enhanced through the consideration of categorizations of interfaith organizations, so as to guide the addition of new interfaith organizations and networks. Through analyzing existing data sources, conducting interviews, and creating a typological chart, I hope to develop a framework for the informed development of a detailed list of interfaith organizations on a national scale.

Dr. Rachel McDermott is the faculty sponsor for this research.