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Document Details : Title: Cincinnati's EquaSion Subtitle: Bridging Spiritual Communities through Interfaith Dialogue Author(s): LEPPERT-MILLER, Marlaina A. Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Date: 2025 Pages: 75-98 DOI: 10.2143/SID.35.1.3294947 Abstract : This article presents a qualitative case study of EquaSion, Greater Cincinnati’s most inclusive interfaith organization, as it builds its capacity as a bridging organization to promote interfaith understanding and foster social connections throughout the region. Drawing upon data from participant observation, interviews, emails, and archival and web research, the study examines EquaSion’s practices in interfaith dialogue to bridge Cincinnati’s diverse spiritual communities. These include programs aimed at education and human relations as well as advocacy and activism. It also reveals limits of interreligious dialogue for bridging, including instances of breaking, as EquaSion navigates and confronts challenges posed by the deepening divisions represented in the broader American society. Among the challenges are salient issues such as abortion rights and the Israel-Hamas War, which divide them from within, and the rise in Christian nationalism, which poses direct opposition to EquaSion’s values of equity and inclusion. |
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