Abstract

In Canada, where one’s religious identity is a private affair, organized interfaith initiatives provide one of the few public forums where one is encouraged to affirm a religious conviction. More and more, Canadians are encountering different religions and spiritual paths in workplaces, neighbourhoods, leisure activities, politics and the daily news. Alongside these encounters interfaith initiatives have developed, especially in the larger urban centers of Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. While similar interfaith initiatives can be found across the country, variations in religious populations and pressing political / social concerns have influenced the distinct character of interfaith activities in each centre. Drawing on findings from 110 in-depth interviews with active members of Canadian interfaith initiatives, this thesis explores the matrix of influences which have contributed to the development of the interfaith movement within Canada and as part of the larger global interfaith movement. The research examines the motivations, approaches and types of interfaith work practised highlighting the diverse resources the interfaith movement offers for bridging the religious diversity found within the contemporary world. The study also calls attention to various challenges facing the Canadian and global interfaith movement including questions about representation, missing voices, stagnation, the need for deeper exploration of difference, strategies for intrafaith dialogue, measuring impact, and finding the required resources to build more tools and forums for interfaith work.