May 17, 1999
In February 1999, the Pluralism Project was awarded a grant from the Ford Foundation to enable us to host a consultation on religious discrimination and accommodation. This consultation, held May 17 at Harvard University, brought together representatives from advocacy groups of America’s diverse religious traditions. Dr. Diana L. Eck, Project Director and Professor of Comparative Religions, moderated the lively conversation. Topics included religious needs and issues of discrimination in the “public square,” including the workplace, hospitals, and schools.
American Civil Liberties Union — Mr. John Roberts
American Hindus Against Defamation — Mr. Ajay Shah
American Jewish Congress — Ms. Sheila R. Decter
American Muslim Council — Mr. Aly R. Abuzaakouk
Association for Baha’i Studies of New England — Dr. John Woodall
Buddhist Chicago Project/Religion in Urban America Program — Dr. Paul Numrich
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights — Mr. Rick Hinshaw
Church of Christ, Scientist — Ms. Jane Warmack
Cornstalk — Dr. Vivodh Anand
Council on American-Islamic Relations — Dr. Mohamed Nimer
Family Research Council — Mr. Robert Morrison
Federation of Jain Associations in North America — Mr. Dinesh Dalal
Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America — Mrs. Khorshed F. Jungalwala
Freedom Forum First Amendment Center — Ms. Marcia Beauchamp
Indian Law Resource Center — Mr. Steve Gunn
The Interfaith Alliance — Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy
La Casa de Obatala — Mr. Steve Quintana
National Conference for Community and Justice — Mr. Wayne Winborne
National Council of Churches — Dr. Jay T. Rock
People for the American Way — Mr. Peter Montgomery
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism — Mr. Mark Pelavin
Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force — Mr. Naunihal Singh
Temple of the Sacred Earth/The Religious Liberties Lawyers Network — H.Ps. Phyllis Curott
The Pluralism Project — Dr. Diana L. Eck
The Pluralism Project — Ms. Elinor J. Pierce
I) Issues in the Workplace
II) Issues related to Zoning or Land Rights
III) Hate Crimes, Racial or Religious Intolerance
IV) Issues related to Political Participation (Local, State or National)
V) Issues in the Military
VI) Issues in the Prisons
VII) Issues in Hospitals and Health Care
VIII) Issues in the Schools
IX) Special Issues Distinctive to Each Community