Space of Interfaith: Transcending Religious Boundaries to Reach Mutual Understanding

Abstract

Throughout humankind's history, religion & spirituality have been an integral part of society and identity that has the power to unify but also to divide. In the 21st century, as migration and cultural exchanges have risen, religious interactions have become more commonplace, but so have intolerance, lack of understanding, and xenophobia. Religion has been used as both a call to violence and as a tactic to resolve conflict, influencing politics, community structure, education, and the built environment. To better understand the common traits of religious and spiritual architecture, this thesis topic will explore what makes a built space spiritual and how this can be utilized to unify rather than divide. The primary architecture of religion, the sacred space, is a building or location where a community can gather, perform rituals, and practice traditions. Some similarities of sacred spaces include spaces of reflection, access to spiritual knowledge, symbolic imagery and geometry, and oneness with nature. This topic explores what makes a sacred space unique and how it can be merged to create a cohesive environment for all spiritualities. By creating a space for interfaith relationships, religion can be used as a resource for dialogue, communal understanding, and peacebuilding.