Background

During the founding generation there was an overwhelming consensus that religions were seen as indispensable to the new republic. Today religion is often dismissed as too ineffective, judgmental, archaic, and out of touch, to be of any benefit to society. In some quarters religions are even seen as part of the problem, let alone part of the solution. The real and good work religions and their adherents do, in all its facets, is easily and quickly buried in our highly mobile, connected, technological, fast-paced, modern, material, and increasingly secular world. We also acknowledge that religions and religiously motivated persons have done harm; we believe that the bad must be endured to have the good. America’s Quilt of Faith will examine and effectively disseminate the real and visceral work that religions do for their people and society.

Between 2008 and 2010 America's Quilt of Faith ran a "proof of concept" project in Loudoun County, Virginia. Sixteen places of faith were visited, and the photographs and audio recordings of interviews with both a group of lay members and, separately, clergy are at Thomas Balch Library in Leesburg, VA (see https://www.leesburgva.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=2369).

AQF continues to expand this effort nation-wide.

Right. Worshippers at Second Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Hamilton, Virginia. June 2009.

1. Why did you come to this place of faith and why have you stayed?
 

2.       How do you worship together and how does it help you?
 

3.       How do you practice your faith at home, seven days a week?
 

4.       If you have a “holy” day each week, how are you supposed to behave on that day compared to others?
 

5.       Explain your concept of good and evil.
 

6.       What would you say to someone if they told you they felt your place of faith was indispensable to the American experiment in self-government?
 

7.       Some persons have believed, and believe today, that America has a God-mandated role to play in world history. Do you agree or disagree? If so, what is it?
 

8.       Is it important for America to be “religious”? If so, why? And, do you think we as a country are religious enough or not?
 

9.       What are some of America’s greatest challenges?
 

10.     In regards to these difficulties, what role should this place of faith, and the members of it, play in working to resolve them?
 

11.     What are some challenges in practicing your faith? Or, are there things that hinder you from living out your faith as you should?
 

12.   Share one personal trait that you have more fully developed because you belong to this place of faith, which makes you a better person at home, work, in your community, state, or nation.
 

13.    Was there a time in your life when you relied on your faith to overcome a particular challenge or trail? If so, would you explain? If not, how do you explain that to those who say one faith's greatest traits is to do this very thing?
 

14.    Are you encouraged to ask family, friends and even acquaintances to come and “join” your place of faith? If so, how? If not, why not?
 

15.    Is much energy expended, both at your place of faith and in your home, to help children stay in this faith and/or at this denomination? If so, explain. If not, why not?

16. What would you say to someone who believes that religion is irrelevant in 2015, and maybe even harmful to our democracy, and even the world?

17. What does your faith do to encourage and facilitate reaching outside your boundaries to help others who are not of your faith?