The MFC has several purposes, but integral to all of them is its role as an instrument of education. Another purpose of the MFC, growing out of its educational intent, is to promote understanding and dialogue among the various faith traditions.
Due to space restrictions, additional religions cannot be added to the printed MFC. In order to address this, a more comprehensive look at 20th Century Religions can be found in our Electronic Multifaith Calendar. Clicke here for more info.
Other faith traditions wanting additional information on the inclusion principles and guidelines should contact orders@multifaithaction.org and will be sent the necessary information, including format and content parameters.
More specifically, three questions are particularly important when putting together the Multifaith Calendar:
1. Which religions should be included and which should not?
2. Which sects or denominations should be included and which should not?
3. Which festivals should be included and which should not?
We hope the Multifaith Calendar will broaden understanding and awareness of alternate paths of spirituality consistent with what most people presently regard as an authentic religion. Religious movements, sects and even festivals appear and disappear. Occasionally, one will endure and a significant segment of society will recognize it as a legitimate spiritual path or celebration. Eventually, the larger society may lend its approval.
Of course, contemporary views of what are socially defined as religion, denomination, or sect may also change in the future. In these cases, future editions may well include religions, denominations and sects not presently included. With regard to any particular festival, the guiding principle is how broadly the different segments of that religion accept the festival.
