Faith and Belief working group
Say something here about what the group is, what it does, who's welcome to take part, how people can to get involved...
The Ella Baker School of Organising’s Faith Working Group comprises people from diverse faiths and backgrounds. We are particularly interested in developing a youth strand.
People of all faiths and beliefs, who are committed to social justice, are welcome to join. The faith's currently represented are:
Bahai Christian Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh
why a faith and belief working group?
4. Faith and Belief is one of the protected characteristics, alongside ethnicity, gender, sexuality, gender identity, disability, etc., that the Equality Act 2010 seeks to protect from discrimination, and |||||A.. as a group that believes in justice and human rights we fully support the provisions in the Equality Act. {{insert photo re Equality Act?}}
However, in our experience, some people who are happy to support anti-discrimination law to protect people on other grounds, can be uncomfortable with the idea that discrimination on the basis of faith and belief is comparable.
2. Some people mistakenly associate faith with the difficult behaviours of high-profile people who profess faith but act differently. There are plenty of examples, from Mary Whitehouse, to the Reverend Ian Paisley, of people whose manipulation of faith teaching ends up as a tool to oppress others. Equally, authoritarian populist politicians often try to wrap their divisive politics in faith identities, including the co-option of Christianity in the USA, Hinduism in India, Islam in Afghanistan, Judaism in Israel. We will not accept the redefining of faith by those who seek to use faith as cover for policies that oppress others, but we will celebrate the amazing contributions of people of faith to the advancement of social justice.
1. There is a rich history of people of faith advancing social justice, Whether that be the Methodist inspired Tolpuddle Martyrs, the Quaker inspired abolitionists, the Christians who worked so hard both here and in South Africa, to hasten the end of Apartheid, the liberation theology that emerged in central America during the 1960s, or the contributions of people of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths to the African American Freedom struggles (we will never forget the contributions of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who were murdered while undertaking voter registration in the deep south, in June 1964). {{insert photo's
of these movements / people}}
3. The myth that people of faith are somehow an obstacle to social progress ignores both the reality of the contribution of people of faith, and the core teachings of all major faiths, a teaching that there is an obligation to care for those around us. This myth is just one more narrative of division and it is used to divide us.
Our struggles for justice for all, have always been enriched by people of faith, and we are proud to work in association with the Ella Baker School of Organising’s Faith and Belief working group, whose work is just one piece of the jigsaw which allows the School to state that when people work with us, they can proudly bring their whole identity to the work
Is this the right image for here? Change to the one at the bottom of the story board? Move to a 'who we are' section?
The Faith & Belief group's journey
Some of the members getting together to put the final touches on the plan for the first ever 'faith in the workplace' session, at the 2023 New Organising Conference.
Little did they know, that with the rest of the team, they would soon form the Faith and Belief Working Group, and produce their very own charter.
The first 'Faith at Work' session underway. Bringing organisers and activities together from across the country and beyond, to celebrate strengths, explore collective challenges, and discuss what needs to be done.
With great connections forged, a group of dedicated organisers continued to meet throughout the year, inviting others to join along the way - growing the community, developing ideas and approaches, and producing the Faith at Work Charter, to support workers of all faiths and beliefs in the workplace.
This picture was taken with just some of the Working Group members on the day that the charter was first written.
Taking us up to the summer of 2024, when the Faith at Work Charter was launched at the second annual New Organising Conference.
This year, the group will be continuing the charters' roll out, and developing their next steps in the journey. Get involved in the next chapter by emailing Mahmooda at: mahmooda.qureshi@ellabakerorganising.org.uk
faith at work
why faith?
‘It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness’ - Eleanor Roosevelt
Faith plays a significant role in many people's lives, offering a sense of purpose, motivation, direction, clarity and comfort, particularly in times of uncertainty or hardship. Although not always perfect in the interpretations of religious scriptures, it provides individuals with a framework for understanding the world, coping with life's challenges, and building a sense of community through shared beliefs and practices.
Faith and belief can be such a fundamental part of how people understand and operate both within the world, and within themselves, that it's important that people of faith are welcome to bring their whole selves into their homes, neighbourhoods, organising spaces and their work. To not be, is to the detriment, both of those individuals, and of the communities and workplaces who won't therefore benefit from all that that person can bring.
Faith is not just restricted to places of worship; it should also be visible in the community and workplace. It is not something that can be left in the car park or on a shelf! There are many people who see their faith as a way of life. Often, it is difficult to separate the two. We need to allow people to be fully who they are for ‘human flourishing’.
