A Revolution of Hope

~ by Samir Selmanovic

After working on ideas and designs for the last twelve months, we are finally going public.  Here is our logo!  (See at the top of the blog).

A number of you have set down with me over a meal or a drink and listened to my half-hour explanation of a drawing like this on a napkin. You asked questions, shared your excitement and worries, which all added to it.  After this year-long process, special thanks to Steve Hatzman from Seattle for propelling this design process forward, to Tim Gilman from Portland for final touches, to Justin Kim from Washington D.C. and Katharine Loving from New York for their advice on legal issues.

Why house?  Why these religious symbols?  Why separate circles?  What is the fourth circle about?  Why are they horizontally positioned?  What about the roof?  What about the foundations?  Where are the walls? . . .  Oh, so much to talk about.  We would love to hear some of your comments or answer your questions. 

I have never seen these three religious symbols displayed together, until someone sent me a video from a U2 concert where daring Bono wore a bandana with the three on his forehead.  He is convinced of the potential for good that has been stored in them.

Most people find the idea of Faith House either impossible or dangerous.  On the first account, I have become like most of you, a passionate post-cynic. On the second account, I think we will either learn to live together on this newly small planet, or there will be no planet.

Next week, we will begin two months of fundraising campaign to bring an Imam, a Rabbi, and a Pastor to work together for two years, building a different kind of community.  Imagine that!  I wonder if you can.

We believe that our main source of support will be you, the readers of our newsletter/website.  I hope that in the weeks to come, regardless of where you live in the world, you will make a step from being an observer to being a full participant in this revolution of hope.

God has his hopes high.  Why shouldn't we?

Comments

[Trevan]

I love it. Clean, crisp, and reveals what you're all about.

[Jeremy Mays]

Bono is bold. Faith House is definitly bold. I remember first seeing those three symbols together, moving across the huge display behind the band, on U2's Vertigo tour. Meanings are instantly accessible in the logo. I think it inspires boldness. I wan't a T-shirt.

[Ansku]

Great logo! Understandable, yet intriguing.

[Matt Haag]

I have several questions about this organization, especially from a Christian standpoint. First of all, what does the Bible say about the unification of all religions, or even the respect of all religions as equal in the process of getting to God? I thought that Jesus Christ was the only way to get to God through His death and resurrection (John 14:6; 1 Cor. 15:17; Rom. 4-8)? What happens to this in your new "faith community"? If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour you are therefore not a Christian right? As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to reach out to other religions, understand them, but to ultimately turn their thoughts to Christ and what He has done for them (see Colossians 2:6-8; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). I think that it is interesting to have many faiths on your campus, but how is this "togetherness" pushing you to a deeper understanding of who God is if you are so confused about who He is in your personal life. If there is no one way to heaven, and if universalism is the way to go, how can you call yourself a Christian? Where in the Bible- which, by the way is God's Word, not some Thomas Merton, C.S. Lewis, or Henry Nouwen!
My second question is related to the first question, but separate because it is almost more important. What is your view of the atonement of Jesus Christ? Who is Jesus Christ for your "faith community"? Is He just some "man" or "great teacher"- if so don't claim yourselves to be Christian, because as C.S. Lewis noted in Mere Christianity, He does not leave Himself open to such nonsense! He died, and rose again for your sins- and if you don't believe this you are still in your sins! It scares me to see none of this anywhere on your website! No mention of Jesus, no reason to do this except to be "in community" or to "feel good" about reaching out to people who are hurting (which IS being done throughout Christendom contrary to a lot of emerging church thought!). You only mention "God" in your posts- who is this God- where'd He come from, why does He matter? Also, where'd we come from? This God? Why? What's our purpose (it should be Revelation 4:11; Colossians 3:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21)?
I hope you at least respond to some of these questions because they are very concerning! Who is God?? Which God?? Why should I follow yours?? I know that you may be trying to find this out, but then don't yet call yourself Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/Whatever because it shows that your not any of these without actually knowing what they are or what you believe. Don't generalize Christians into one box just because you don't agree with a single church or thought process- there are churches that care, give to the poor and live in community without denying the deity and salvific nature of Christ! Without Christ, there can be no point- your not building followers of Him- but followers of feelings and social justice- unless this is what you want!

[Barbara Jonsen]

Kudos to the designers of the FAITH HOUSE Manhattan - logo, it says it all.

In answer to the questions. . .why house? A house is a place to gather and share. The symbols represent three major religions of the world and the fourth blank circle is for everyone not affiliated with the other three. . .everyone is included throughout the world! The horizontal position tells me that everyone is on the same horizontal line in this world - no one is higher or lower than the other person - the Lord God loves each one the same. The roof is all inclusive - one under God and our foundation is faith and love...walls are absent because they restrict us and take our freedom away, causing strife and misunderstanding. With no walls, we are free to share and learn to love one another.

The Faith House is exciting to me because without dialogue one on one, and stepping out wherever our life takes us, we cannot break the walls down and find mutual love and hope. We must all reach out and learn from our fellow men, women, and children. I just finished reading a book that everyone in this world should take time to read, Three Cups of Tea . . . One man's Mission to Promote Peace. . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson. This book parallels the Faith House in its mission.

The newsletter is a link to a great hope for all. The team at Faith House is in our prayers!

Bless you all,

Barbara Jonsen
Seattle