Interfaith Heroes

Book excerpt: "Interfaith Heroes" is an inspiring 31-day reader, showcasing short biographies of men and women throughout history who have crossed traditional boundaries of religious groups to build stronger communities. The dramatic story of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is included as well as biographical sketches of Mahatma Gandhi and St. Francis, among the more famous names in the book. But most readers will discover new uplifting stories, including the recently documented efforts by Albanian Muslims during World War II to hide Jews in their attics. Sketches of other famous leaders include Baptist pioneer Roger Williams, the Sufi poet best known simply as Rumi, Hindu writer Rabindranath Tagore, Jewish theologian Martin Buber, the American evangelist Howard Thurman and the French Catholic Cardinal Aaron Jean-Marie Lustiger. These stories were written and edited by Daniel Buttry, an international peace negotiator for American Baptist Churches - but the style of the book is balanced and educational. This is an exploration and a celebration of diversity, not a book aimed at converting anyone to anything other than peacemaking itself. The book includes questions for daily reflection that are designed to spark creative thinking by people of all faiths. The sketches and daily questions could be used by discussion groups or students in classrooms studying history, global culture or the sociology of religion. Also included is a Study Guide for individuals, groups and classrooms. Plus, suggestions for organizing new, regional interfaith groups. The book is supplemented with online content at www.InterfaithHeroes.info and readers are invited to read this book - and nominate more heroes whose lives will be honored and explored in future editions of this series.