Considering the Reasons and Processes for Decreased Commitment to Bridging Religious Divides Among Religious Minorities

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Five
  In Roundtable Session: Increasing and Decreasing Religious Commitments in Higher Education (Table 18)

Abstract

During a review of Rockenbach and colleagues’ (2020) summative report on the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), a few findings stood out to us in particular about Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish students which led to questioning if there is a relationship between religious minorities’ negative experiences and their reported commitment to bridging religious divides? Our hope is that these stories will inspire discussion among fellow educators about how to interpret low reported commitment to bridging religious divides among religiously minoritized students, the role of systemic oppression and interpersonal discrimination in such reported commitment, and what kind of research and praxis is needed in order to better understand and address this issue.

Authors

• Sachi Edwards, Soka University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Gaurav Harshe, University of South Carolina
  Presenting Author