Warren Wilson College &
The Harvard Pluralism Project
Interfaith On-Line, featuring "Asheville’s Spiritual Odyssey," began during the
1998-1999 school year in conjunction with an affiliate partner grant from Harvard University’s
"Pluralism Project." Dr. Jeanne Matthews Sommer, a Religious Studies faculty member at
Warren Wilson College, received the grant in the spring of 1998. The purpose of the grant was to
explore the religious diversity which exists in the Asheville/Buncombe county region.
Under the direction of Dr. Sommer, nearly forty students have engaged in
experiential research projects on a variety of world religions which are represented in Asheville.
Student research has been conducted through three different courses: two sections of "World
Religions in Asheville: Field Research," and one section of "America’s Alternative Religions."
Each student in the two, semester long "World Religions" classes was required to choose a
particular religion and conduct extensive experiential research (eight site visits and/or
interviews) and text-based research.
Each student developed a particular thesis which was of personal interest and
for the purpose of writing a twenty page research paper. S/he also gathered basic demographic
information from which to create various templates for each religion. Students in the course
"America’s Alternative Religions" did less extensive experiential research (one site visit and
one interview) in addition to text based research which culminated in a ten page paper.
In addition to the student centered research in the various courses, Dr. Sommer
sponsored a series of Religious Diversity Round Table forums which featured several of the
religions under study. During the late fall and the spring of the 1998-1999 school year,
practitioners from the Pagan, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths gathered on separate
panels and on one final panel which brought people together across faith lines, to discuss the
specifics of their traditions along with consideration of the kinds of challenges they face and
contributions they make within the Asheville/Buncombe community.
Dr. Sommer, in conjunction with her student work crew member, Mr. Morgan Davis, engaged in their own independent research as well.
Many thanks to Professor Diana Eck and the members of the "Pluralism Project"
for their generous support and encouragement. Thanks also to Morgan for
the creation of the
Interfaith On-Line web page. Without his expertise, diligence, and creativity, the dissemination
of this information in such an easily accessible and aesthetically pleasing manner would not have
been possible.
Please note that the religions included to date in this study are only a taste of
the possibilities that are present in the Asheville area. We invite any interested persons
and/or organizations to submit information to the website so that we might include you in the
project. At the conclusion of the 1998-1999 school year, the site will be opened to more student
papers, research, etc. that go beyond the parameters of the Pluralism Project. We hope that this
site will be a virtual space in which members of our local community and people around the world
can come and converse about the religions represented herein and the challenges that we face as a
nation that is committed to honor religious freedom. Please note the "Forum" section of this site.
We invite you to comment about the page, the religions, etc.
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