The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Increasing Population and Increasing Diversity

In August 2005, 140 interfaith leaders from across North America gathered at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This first joint gathering of the North American Interfaith Network and the United Religions Initiative brought together many national and international organizations, but the primary organizer and host was a small interfaith group incorporated less than a year before: the Southern Nevada Interfaith Council. (1)

Coming Together for Community Involvement

Nevada has been the fastest growing state for the last eighteen years, and Southern Nevada’s population has tripled in the last ten years. (5) The religious diversity of the region has increased as well. As of 2003, 17% of the population listed a non-Christian, non-Jewish religious affiliation. (7) This increasing (and increasingly diverse) population can put a strain on existing civic infrastructures and cause tension in the community. The Southern Nevada Interfaith Council has responded with inclusion and partnership.

A chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice, NCCJ, had maintained an Interfaith subcommittee in Las Vegas for several years. However, when funding became scarce, the NCCJ chapter had to become inactive. (5) The Interfaith Community that had developed as a result of this subcommittee remained involved in community events, such as partnering with the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Nevada to send hygiene kits to families in Iraq in 2003 (3) and bringing the Fez Singers of Morocco to UNLV for a benefit concert in early 2004. (4) In the fall of 2004, the Southern Nevada Interfaith Council was officially established as a 501(c)3 non-profit (6), with a firm statement of their mission, vision, and goals. (1)

Members and Meetings

Meetings are held monthly, and both a Board of Trustees and an advisory board participate in guiding the Council’s work. Both congregations and individuals can become members—a policy intended to be inclusive of people without specific institutional affiliations. As of summer 2005, there were no paid staff members, although that is a goal for the future.

The Council includes a large number of faith communities in the Las Vegas area: Baha'i, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Latter-Day Saint, Hindu, Muslim, Judaism, Wicca/Goddess religions, Religious Science, and Humanism. (1) The largest mosque in town is very involved, and the President of the American Humanist Society is a member of the council. Every meeting begins with a blessing from a member of the council. Discussion and sharing of information about religious traditions is common, but rarely develops into a debate over theology (5), in keeping with the official goal of “Understand and respect the differences between faith traditions and philosophies.” (1)

NAIN/URI Interfaith Network Connect, August, 2005

Less than a year after its incorporation, the Southern Nevada Interfaith Council hosted the first joint gathering of the United Religions Initiative and the North American Interfaith Network. Over four and a half days, the topic of the conference, “Hospitality, Generosity, and Sharing—Interfaith Action in Our World” was presented, explored, and debated in over 30 workshops. (2) The Council brought together the participants and the community as well, as the conference opened with a Native American Presence and Celebration on Friday, and the Islamic Community of Southern Nevada provided a banquet cooked by local Muslim families. (1)

Throughout the weekend, "Spiritual Immersion" sessions were held, inviting participants to attend faith practices of some of the communities in Southern Nevada. These included Islamic Friday prayers, a celebration of the Jewish Sabbath, a Christian Eucharist, Baha'i ceremonies, and several others. The joining of two large grassroots networks in a welcoming and diverse community worked beautifully, and new partnerships were created for the future. (2)

Continuing Accomplishments and Future Plans

The work of the Council continues apace. A yearly Interfaith Forum, featuring members of several world religions discussing current issues, has been held for fifteen years, first through the NCCJ subcommittee and now through the Council. (5) The Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast, originally founded 40 years ago, has recently been revived by the Council in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada, as an event which “celebrates our unity and diversity as business, faith, political, and youth leaders.” (6)

As the population of Southern Nevada continues to increase and change, the Council hopes to meet the needs of its changing community. Outreach to groups that have been less involved in interfaith work is high on the list of future goals, as is making the website a resource for those coming in to the community. (5) The Southern Nevada Interfaith Council is at the forefront of the increasing religious diversity in America, and its goals and vision will continue to guide its work.

Sources:

1) Website of the Southern Nevada Interfaith Council. Retrieved 12/15/05 from http://www.lasvegasinterfaith.org.
2) Report by Paul Chaffee on the URI/NAIN Connect. Retrieved 12/13/05 from http://www.library.omc.ca/mtarchives/000074.html.
3) MPAC Nevada and the Interfaith Community of Southern Nevada Prepare Iraq Hygiene Kits. May 29, 2003. Retrieved 12/15/05 from http://www.mpac.org/community_article_display.aspx?ITEM=542.
4) Fez Singers Las Vegas, June 9, 2004. Retrieved 12/15/05 from http://wamq.com/fez/.
5) Interview with Karen Boyett, Member of the Board of Trustees, July 29, 2005. Interviewer: Tracy Wells, Research Associate.
6) Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada newsletter for August, 2005. Retrieved 12/13/05 from http://www.volunteercentersn.org/programs_events/augustnewsletter.pdf.
7) PowerPoint presentation given by Southern Nevada Interfaith Council at URI/NAIN Conference, August, 2005.