Different Faiths, One Dinner Table. Hagerstown Could Use More of That.

I don't have to believe what you believe to sit down and break bread with you. That seems like common sense to me, but apparently we got to keep relearning it every time religion comes up on the internet.

Hagerstown Area Religious Council announced an Interfaith Progressive Dinner for September 26, moving between local houses of worship, eating together, and learning how different communities practice their faith. The listed stops included St. John's Episcopal Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alongside Church of the Wild Two Rivers, and the Islamic Society of Western Maryland. I'm discussing the announced event, not saying I was there or claiming to know who attended.

You can't learn a person through a comment section.

That's what interested me. People get comfortable thinking they understand entire religions because they saw one terrible story on the news or heard somebody online speak for millions of people. Then, when they actually meet somebody from that community, suddenly there's a face attached to all those lazy assumptions.

And let's be clear: respect doesn't mean pretending everybody's beliefs are the same. It doesn't mean you have to agree, convert, or keep your questions to yourself. Ask. Listen. Disagree if you need to. Just give the person sitting across from you the same consideration you'd want if they were visiting your family.

There's also something they need to improve.

The organizers listed general admission at $25, students at $10, and a maximum of 100 participants. People were expected to drive between locations. I understand there are costs involved in putting an event like this together. But if the goal is to get more neighbors connected, the price and transportation are part of the conversation too. Sponsored seats or a shared ride would go a long way for people who want to participate but can't easily afford it.

I'm not naive. One dinner isn't ending religious prejudice. But if somebody walks away with one genuine conversation that makes them hesitate before repeating a stereotype, that's more progress than another thousand people yelling at each other online.