Beyond Tolerance: How People Across America Are Building Bridges Between Faiths

by Gustav Niebuhr

At a time when religious conflict and violence seem to dominate the media, distinguished religion journalist Gustav Niebuhr set off across America to find people who are building, not burning, the bridges between faiths. As he travels across the country-from Queens and Baltimore to Louisville and Los Angeles-he finds Buddhists, Catholics, Jews, Baptists, Muslims, and Episcopalians reaching out to one another to find common ground between their faiths. This insightful and deeply felt exploration of the nature of community and religion is a tribute to their efforts and a boost of much-needed optimism that reminds all Americans of their common goals, no matter their faith.

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2008

About the author

Gustav Niebuhr is associate professor of newspaper and online journalism at Syracuse University, and founding director of the Carnegie Religion and Media Program. He worked as a reporter at the New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal and was the 2010 winner of the William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award for religion reporting. He is also the author of Beyond Tolerance: Searching for Interfaith Understanding in America.

Reviews

[Daughters Of Abraham]

Christian theologian looks at the events of 911.

[Guy]

An excellent and highly readable survey of the current American situation in regard to interfaith dialogue and cooperation, especially among Christians, Jews, and Muslims and particularly on the local, grassroots level. There is no better-informed commentator on the current US religious scene than Gustav Niebuhr, and certainly no one who writes better!

[Joran Oppelt]

A greatly inspiring collection of case studies where interfaith and inter-religious (Christian/Muslim, Christian/Buddhist, Catholic/Jewish) dialogue has gained traction across America and beyond. Highly recommended for everyone in ecumenical or religious leadership.