How to Be a Perfect Stranger

by Matlins, Stuart M.

• ISBN13: 9781594732942
• ISBN10: 1594732949
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-11-12
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Pub

Summary

We North Americans live in a remarkably diverse society, and it¿s increasingly common to be invited to a wedding, funeral or other religious service of a friend, relative or coworker whose faith is different from our own. These can be awkward situations.... ¿ What will happen? ¿ What do I do? What do I wear? What do I say? ¿ What should I avoid doing, wearing, saying? ¿ Is it okay to use a video camera? ¿ How long will it last? ¿ What are their basic beliefs? ¿ Will there be a reception? Will there be food? ¿ Should I bring a gift? When is it okay to leave? These are just a few of the basic questions answered in How to Be a Perfect Stranger. This easy-to-read guidebook, with an ¿Everything You Need to Know Before You Go¿ checklist, helps the well-meaning guest to feel comfortable, participate to the fullest extent possible and avoid violating anyone¿s religious principles¿while enriching their own spiritual understanding. Featured faith traditions include: African American Methodist Churches ¿ Assemblies of God ¿ Bahá¿í ¿ Baptist ¿ Buddhist ¿ Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) ¿ Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) ¿ Churches of Christ ¿ Episcopalian and Anglican ¿ Hindu ¿ Islam ¿ Jehovah¿s Witnesses ¿ Jewish ¿ Lutheran ¿ Mennonite/Amish ¿ Methodist ¿ Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) ¿ Native American/First Nations ¿ Orthodox Churches ¿ Pentecostal Church of God ¿ Presbyterian ¿ Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) ¿ Reformed Church in America/Canada ¿ Roman Catholic ¿ Seventh-day Adventist ¿ Sikh ¿ Unitarian Universalist ¿ United Church of Canada ¿ United Church of Christ

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Preface: Former President, The National Conference for community and Justice	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. xv
The "Everything You Need to Know Before You Go" Checklist	p. xix
African American Methodist Churches	p. 1
Assemblies of God	p. 14
Bahá'í Faith	p. 25
Baptist	p. 36
Buddhist	p. 46
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)	p. 58
Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist)	p. 70
Churches of Christ	p. 77
Episcopalian and Anglican	p. 87
Hindu	p. 100
Islam	p. 110
Jehovah's Witnesses	p. 124
Jewish	p. 132
Lutheran	p. 159
Mennonite/Amish	p. 174
Methodist	p. 191
Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)	p. 203
Native American/First Nations	p. 215
Orthodox Churches	p. 227
Pentecostal Church of God	p. 245
Presbyterian	p. 258
Quaker (Religious Society of Friends)	p. 271
Reformed Church in America/Canada	p. 283
Roman Catholic	p. 297
Seventh-day Adventist	p. 309
Sikh	p. 318
Unitarian Universalist	p. 338
United Church of Canada	p. 352
United Church of Christ	p. 368
Glossary of Common Religious Terms and Names	p. 382
The Meanings of Popular Religious Symbols	p. 392
Calendar of Religious Holidays and Festivals	p. 395
Summary of Proper Forms for Addressing Leaders of Various Faiths	p. 401
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