Religious Literacy: A Written Companion to Our Video Series
- The I.M.F.C.
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
At the International Multi-Faith Coalition, we believe that knowledge is the foundation of harmony. You cannot restore sacrosanctity to a house of worship if you do not know whose house it is, or why it is sacred.
That is why we created the Religious Literacy series with short videos that introduce the world’s living faiths, including traditions too often left out of the usual list. Each episode is a doorway, not a full course. Watch it. Then treat your neighbor’s sanctuary as you would want yours treated.
Start here:
The series lives on our Religious Freedom page. Below is a written companion, in the same order as the videos, so a pastor, imam, rabbi, chaplain, teacher, or family can share one tradition at a time.
African Methodist Episcopal Church. The A.M.E. Church was born in Philadelphia when Black Methodists, led by Richard Allen, refused segregation and, in 1816, formed an independent church that became a haven for people of color. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Anglicanism. From the Church of England grew a worldwide communion that holds scripture, tradition, and reason together, and worships in a common prayer that still shapes many of our neighbors. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Anglicanism.
Baháʼí Faith. Born in nineteenth-century Persia, the Baháʼí Faith teaches the oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and the oneness of humanity. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Baháʼí Faith.
Baptist Church. Baptist congregations emphasize believer’s baptism, the liberty of conscience, and a church that answers first to God, not to the state. Watch: [RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Baptist Church.
Buddhism. Following the path of the Buddha, Buddhists seek the end of suffering through ethical living, meditation, and wisdom. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Buddhism
Confucianism. A Chinese tradition of ethics, ritual, and right relationship, Confucianism forms character in family, school, and public life. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Confucianism.
Coptic Church. The Church of Egypt is one of the oldest Christian communities on earth, with its own liturgy, calendar, and a long memory of faith under pressure. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Coptic Church.
Druze. Rooted in the Levant, the Druze community lives a close, enduring faith in the unity of God and in loyalty to one another. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Druze.
Hinduism. Hinduism is a vast family of Indian paths honoring the divine in many forms, with dharma, karma, and sacred practice at the center of daily life. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Hinduism.
Islam. Islam is submission to the one God. Muslims follow the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, through prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Islam.
Jainism. Jainism teaches radical nonviolence, self-discipline, and respect for every form of life. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Jainism.
Judaism. Judaism is the covenant people of Israel, the Torah, and a way of life that has carried ethical monotheism through millennia of exile and return. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Judaism.
Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian movement known for Bible study, public witness, and a conscience that will not be conscripted. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Lutheranism. From Martin Luther’s Reformation comes a tradition of grace through faith, scripture as the rule of faith, and congregational song. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Lutheranism.
Māori spirituality. The indigenous spirituality of Aotearoa New Zealand holds ancestors, land, and people in a living kinship. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Māori.
Methodism. The Wesleyan movement joins personal holiness to social holiness: small groups, hymn-singing, and faith that shows up in the street. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Methodism.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our video uses the series title “Mormonism.” This restoration Christian church is known for additional scripture, temple worship, and a global culture of family and missionary service. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Mormonism.
Native Spirituality. Native spiritualities of the Americas are many nations, not one religion: often land-based, ceremonial, and inseparable from language, kinship, and place. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Native Spirituality.
Presbyterianism. Reformed Christianity ordered by elders, with a deep commitment to education and representative church government. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Presbyterianism.
Roman Catholic Church. The world’s largest Christian communion lives a sacramental faith centered on the Eucharist, with a global church of prayer, charity, and memory. Watch: Religions in Action — Roman Catholic Church.
Scientology. Scientology is a modern religion that teaches a path of spiritual rehabilitation and greater awareness. Like every community in this series, its houses of worship deserve equal respect. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Scientology.
Shinto. Japan’s indigenous way of kami, shrine, purification, and harmony with nature. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Shinto.
Sikhism. Founded by Guru Nanak, Sikhism proclaims one God, the equality of all people, honest work, and the langar open to every guest. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Sikhism.
Taoism. Taoism is the Chinese path of the Tao: living in harmony with the way of nature, with humility and wu wei. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Taoism.
Unitarianism. A liberal religious tradition affirming freedom of belief, the dignity of conscience, and a congregational covenant. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Unitarianism.
Zoroastrianism. One of the world’s oldest living faiths, teaching good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Watch: RELIGIOUS LITERACY — Zoroastrianism.
Alevism. Alevism is an Anatolian tradition of unity and love, with reverence for Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Cem ceremony at the heart of community life. This is the newest episode in the series. Watch: Religious Literacy: Alevism Explained.
Religious literacy is not asking anyone to change their faith. It is asking all of us to stop fearing a neighbor we have never bothered to understand.
If you lead a house of worship, play one video this month. If you teach, assign one. If you are a parent, watch one with your children. Then visit a community that is not your own, and leave it more respected than you found it.
Subscribe to TheIMFC Social for the full series. Share this companion. Keep the conversation going.
To restore sacrosanctity to all houses of worship.
We are family.
Respect the religious beliefs of others.
