Multifaith space

Multi-faith prayer room sign in London Heathrow Airport

A multifaith space is a location where interested people of differing religious beliefs are able to exercise and enact these beliefs, most often sequentially or separately; more rarely together within multifaith worship services. The space may or may not be a dedicated place of worship, and will often be located within a wider institutional setting (hospital, university, airport, etc.).

While no single definition can seek to cover all forms of 'multifaith space', a recent research project at the University of Manchester, UK has conceptualised the modern multifaith space as "an intentional space, designed to both house a plurality of religious practices, as well as address (more or less) clearly defined pragmatic purposes".

Multi-faith Spaces: Symptoms & Agents of Religious and Social Change

This study suggests that multifaith spaces are increasingly erupting around the world. These spaces are used to facilitate individuals in their faith practices. Many of these spaces are seen to be "small, clean and largely unadorned areas" in which can be adaptable and serve for any such practice.

Two key facts in this project where researched: "Multi faith spaces are socially shaped"- There has to be a balance in the range of the different religions thus preventing conflict. All norms and values should be looked at and respected. A social cooperation and openness must be met when entering a multifaith space. Many multifaith spaces are operated out of what could be termed an unstable equilibrium where divergent worldviews can be brought together. "Materiality matters"- most multifaith spaces are vary basic in design to minimize or alter the visibility of a religion. Many multifaith spaces are very simple in appearance in order to be easily adaptable to the many different practices. With each space there comes the question of ethics and "national styles" in which different faith members can take part in a respectful yet cooperative manner.

Agnes Scott-Chapel

Agnes Scott College is located in Decatur, Georgia. The Julia Thompson Smith Chapel is the college’s "first free-standing chapel is a Christian chapel welcoming people of all faiths". Agnes Scott chapel was designed by Maurice Jennings and known for its historic design and organic architecture. The philosophy behind the design of the chapel is to keep the "harmony between the building and its natural surroundings". Huge glass windows let in the natural light and aesthetic beauty, which allows people to have a certain spiritual connection between themselves and nature. Its unique Gothic architecture gives the chapel powerful religious meaning. This design is used in most cathedrals, churches and most religious spaces dating back in history. The Gothic style is known to be the most elegant structures with the use of pointed arches to help give the symbolic meaning "pointing up" toward a higher being.

Culture: A Learned Meaning System

Iceberg Metaphor

When designing a multifaith space we have to keep in mind the different cultural meanings because the design and objects put into this space could be seen in a disrespectful manner or offend someone in a very sensitive way. According to Ting-Tommey culture is like an Iceberg, there are three levels of belief and values to cultural meaning and understanding of the universal human needs. Within the Iceberg metaphor there are three levels to culture; surface, intermediate and deep levels.

Surface-level culture

The tip of the iceberg or the surface level is the physical attributes, or the things we see. This level includes things like artifacts and pop-culture, things that can have an influence on us.

Intermediate-level culture

The midsection or the intermediate level includes symbols, meanings and norms. There is a cultural meaning behind every word and symbol or artifact.

Deep-level culture

The deeper levels, the things we don’t see, are one’s traditions, beliefs and values. To be able to fully understand one’s cultural community, we have to look at their underlying values and match them to the culture norms, meanings and symbols.

Storage of Artifacts: Facilitating Spaces

In a multifaith space, we find objects, religious artifacts, and written material in order for all kinds of faith and traditions to be practiced. The question of concern is, How to properly maintain and how to handle these items? When designing such a space designers must consider what all is needed for all religious practices. Too many items of a single faith could send the wrong message and resemble an area that houses one religion. A multifaith space should be “balanced” to help create “equality” in all faiths. Another big concern is where to house and place certain items in a proper manner respecting each culture. Spatial justice comes into play to avoid clutter in a respectful manner and to allow as much space as needed. Movable and adjustable chairs and tables may come in handy allowing easy access and flexibility to the space.

Interfaith Youth Cooperation

Presidents Challenge

U.S. President Barack Obama, in the fall of 2011 launched the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge in which he encourages interfaith cooperation and community service, using service as a tool to build common ground between faith groups. This creates a community from which to launch peaceful and productive dialogue. After the program launch, approximately 250 colleges and universities made “the vision for interfaith cooperation and community service a reality on campuses across the country.”

Campuses are leading this movement

According to the Interfaith Youth Cooperation this movement is using campuses as a model. Campuses make good models because they can be categorized as somewhat diverse communities. Campuses also take part in activities and community service work. Because of the extensive involvement that schools and universities have in their community, this is a good place to start and be good role models for the rest of the community. The acts and behaviors of students can impact a campus environment and climate, which then in the long run can have an impact over society encouraging people to work together. Campuses across the world are joining this movement in effort to create diverse interfaith cooperation. Another reason why universities and schools are preferred models are because young students are the future generation of our society.

Better Together

Better Together is a national student campaign for interfaith action. This is a student campaign allowing students to engage and voice their opinions in working together toward bettering the community. Better Together creates leadership rooted in a person’s beliefs, builds community no matter how different those beliefs may seem, and that strong community is able to serve others.

See also

• Religious pluralism
• Religious toleration
• Universalism