A World of Shared Spirituality
I was born in post-revolution Iran, where after 1979 religion became the backbone of public life. My family’s experience as a member of a religious minority taught me that faith can be misused to exclude and oppress. Yet, from this hardship emerged the realization that avoiding discussions about religion is not the solution.
While over 80% of people around the globe connect with a religious tradition, many in the West treat faith as a private affair—something to be left out of everyday conversation. This reluctance to engage in discussions about religion has fostered a kind of cultural illiteracy, even as religious ideas continue to shape politics, social movements, and personal lives. In some societies, these discussions are becoming more pronounced and politically charged, underscoring the need for a new way to talk about faith.
Religion as a Shared Inheritance
An idea that has profoundly influenced my perspective comes from the Bahá’í principle of progressive revelation. This teaching suggests that the major religions of the world are not competing ideologies but rather different expressions of one underlying spiritual reality. Instead of arguing over which tradition is “right,” we might ask what each faith is trying to reveal about values like justice, humility, forgiveness, and the sacredness of life.
This shift in focus—from debating differences to searching for shared meaning—has proven powerful in practice. In several refugee communities in the Middle East, individuals from diverse religious backgrounds have found healing through grassroots interfaith initiatives. Simple acts, such as sharing meals during significant religious festivals, have helped rebuild dignity and foster understanding, proving that faith can serve as a bridge rather than a barrier.
Finding a Connection
My research among religious-minority refugees in a major European city revealed that disregarding the role of religion in people’s lives can hinder true integration. Effective social policies engage religious traditions through dialogue, communal spiritual spaces, and the acknowledgment of cultural celebrations. These approaches do not eliminate differences but rather transform religion from a point of division into a bond that unites communities.
In my own suburban neighborhood, families from a range of religious backgrounds—Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Bahá’í, and others—come together in unexpected ways. Weekly gatherings with children that focus on storytelling, music, and values such as kindness and truthfulness have quietly woven deeper community ties, showing that shared spiritual experiences can nurture understanding and mutual respect.
Stay Curious
This evolving view of spirituality—where truth gradually unfolds—has reshaped my daily life. It guides how I interact with neighbors of different beliefs, raises my children, and participates in community life. Staying curious rather than defensive, I now approach faith with an openness that welcomes learning from every tradition.
By embracing moral imagination—the capacity to envision not only what is but what could be—we are invited to ask transformative questions about the nature of a fulfilling life, the coexistence of reverence and reason, and the enduring wisdom found in our diverse traditions. It is through such thoughtful dialogue that we separate heartfelt belief from fanaticism and challenge ourselves to speak with humility, inquiry, and hope.
Ultimately, we do not need to see less religion in our public lives. What we need is a more nuanced conversation that allows both believers and non-believers to engage in authentic, deep discussions about the forces shaping our world. Perhaps, beneath our apparent differences, all of our faiths are simply different voices in one unfolding story—a narrative that, if fully embraced, could help us build a more inclusive future.
Rockin’ the faith, one verse at a time!
Growing up, the Bible’s stories deeply impacted me. Now, with over 15 years of preaching experience, I blend timeless teachings with modern technology, making them relevant for today’s world.
Bible Hub Verse is my platform to share historical insights and thought-provoking articles, exploring both familiar and uncommon Christian topics. My passion is building a welcoming online space for everyone to learn, grow in their faith, and discover the Bible’s enduring message.
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