Share your faith!

Houston teens will gather on Feb. 11 to dialogue on faith traditions at St. Agnes High School.

Hosted by Interfaith Ministries, an organization that serves seniors, refuges and channels dialogues in the community to express faiths respectfully, this Interfaith Youth Dinner Dialogue is designed for students between the ages of 13-18 to discuss all faith traditions or no faith over a meal, in hopes to open minds and broaden perspectives.

“Young students are extremely curious about one another and love to learn about each other,” Interfaith Ministries manager, Lauren Santerre said.

The dialogues will serve to help students discuss their personal beliefs and learn about each other with an openness and curiosity in a safe and respectful setting.

“The questions are meant to draw out the students’ experience of their faith, and help them find points of commonality as well as appreciate differences,” Santerre said.

Students will be coordinated in small groups with trained facilitators to moderate and guide conversations to help motivate teens to not only share their beliefs but their worldviews as well.

Questions such as ‘Do you think God or a divine power has an ultimate plan for the world?’ and ‘Who do you consider to be the greatest spiritual leader from your faith tradition?’ are just a few of the topics that will proceed at the event.

In regards to preparing for the dialogue, come ready to share and tell, Santerre said.

“Just come with a willingness to learn about others, and be prepared to share from your experience,” Santerre said.

But, some might wonder if answers will be rated according to accuracy.

“You aren’t required to know everything about your religion and there aren’t any wrong answers, this is just a time for sharing and learning,” Santerre said.

It is an initiative to take to learn more about taboos and differences of opinions that all students have regarding their faith traditions.

Additionally, from the teachings of Islam, dialogues like these are welcomed.

Muslim students have always shown a great presence at Interfaith Ministries for dialogue each year by coming out in large numbers and surprising the coordinators with their voice, but Iesa Galloway, Interfaith Ministries Relations Coordinator, thinks it would be nice if they could step it up.

“There is a strong Muslim turn out, and the community actively engages,” Galloway said. “I would say bring a non Muslim friend to the event. It would be easy to pick up a flier and get a non- Muslim friend to come with you.”

Santerre and Galloway both agree discussions help empower our youth and their vision.

All eligible teens are encouraged to attend and dedicate their energies by bringing a non-Muslim friend to spread awareness about their faith.

To register for the event and for more information, please visit www.imgh.org.