Interfaith America’s Pluralism Framework

Respect. Relate. Cooperate.

Respect, Relate, Cooperate

Since its founding, Interfaith America has advanced a unique vision of pluralism (cooperation across difference), summed up in three words: Respect. Relate. Cooperate. Respect-Relate-Cooperate serves as a north star for pluralism builders as we seek to build institutions and communities where people regularly:

RESPECT:

Respect each other across differences

RELATE:

Build mutually inspiring relationships with different others

COOPERATE:

Cooperate on issues of shared concern

This framework can serve as a goal (these are the things we seek to build in our work), a measuring stick (how much of each of these things do we see now or want to see in the future?), and a roadmap (across these three dimensions of pluralism, where should we focus?).

This simple framework encapsulates an approach that is anything but simplistic, requiring patient, intentional work to cultivate meaningful, binding ties across communities of people who see the world in many different ways.

Respect-Relate-Cooperate is the highest-level vision for work that makes it possible for very diverse community members to build a shared life together. It’s not a detailed map for arriving at pluralism. Rather, it is our compass: Which way should we go to build more respect across difference, more genuine relationships, more effective cooperation on issues of shared concern? Are we on the right track? Where do we need to shift course?

This resource is intended to explicate Interfaith America’s Respect-Relate-Cooperate framework, as a resource for pluralism leaders who wish to join us in building cultures of pluralism.

Respect: Respect Across Diverse Identities

In this framework, “respect” means “respect across diverse identities.” People respect each other’s right to form and express their own identity, perspectives, and opinions, even when they don’t agree. They accommodate each other’s identity-related needs whenever possible. They treat each other with dignity and regard, even (and especially) when they deeply disagree.

In this context, “respect” does not mean:

Pretending differences aren’t real.
Accepting other people’s beliefs as true or valid.

It does mean that we acknowledge that other people’s beliefs are as deeply held as our own, and that we treat them how we would want to be treated by someone who deeply disagreed with our own beliefs.

Relate: Mutually Inspiring Relationships

“Relate” stands for “mutually inspiring relationships.” We work to build positive, constructive, caring engagement across lines of difference, whether through civic action, friendly conversation, or shared activities. We seek out and are inspired by the beautiful and motivating dimensions of others’ values and traditions. Such relationships do not require us to hide our differences or force fake agreement; rather, they are forged in recognition of both differences and commonalities. These relationships are characterized by:

Appreciative knowledge of each other’s traditions and backgrounds.
An expectation that disagreement on some things is normal and okay.
Commitment to each other and to the things that both people care about.

Cooperate: Cooperation on Issues of Shared Concern

Finally, “cooperate” stands for “cooperation on issues of shared concern.” People engage with different others in common action around issues of shared concern. Despite differences —which are sometimes irreconcilable —they engage shared values to come together in a commitment to the common good.

As diversity increases, people tend to form bonded social capital, a term describing the tight relationships that form within homogenous social groups like a religious institution, neighborhood, or ethnic group. Cooperating across difference produces bridged social capital —durable ties between different social groups in a community—through working together on issues of shared concern. Bridged social capital is important because it prevents destructive conflict between groups and strengthens pluralism.

Of the three parts of this framework, “cooperate” might be the most important. Interfaith America has seen time and again the way in which concrete cooperation around shared goals can organically lead to respect and relationships. We’ve also seen attempts at pluralism building founder when people are brought together to talk, but not to act. Cooperation is at the center of any effective pluralism building, whether it’s quick and simple (e.g., an existing project team makes a point of talking about the deeper values that call them to the work) or more complex (e.g., people from different sides of the political spectrum work together to advance an important policy issue).

Interfaith America’s Pluralism Framework

Why does this approach work?

Interfaith America has more than two decades of experience with this approach to building cooperation across differences. It stems from our deep work supporting leaders to bridge religious and non-religious differences – an arena in which it’s critical to be able to advance cooperation on shared goals in the midst of deeply held, meaningful, and often irreconcilable differences. Across our institutions and communities today, people see world very differently, will probably continue to do so, and need to work together in order to get things done and live healthy, fulfilling lives. With Respect-Relate-Cooperate as our north star, we can find ways to cooperate on some things, even while we disagree on others. Here are a few more thoughts about why this approach works:

A respect-relate-cooperate approach does not require sameness (or the pretense thereof). People are not required to minimize or water down their beliefs in order for pluralism to work. This approach relies on curiosity and connection as opposed to moderation or agreement.
This approach also does not require total agreement or consensus. We assume that our diverse communities will always have irreconcilable differences, and that we can still live and work together peacefully and constructively.
Across the three dimensions of respect-relate-cooperate, a pluralism leader can start anywhere, beginning wherever there’s an opening. For example:
- Some groups may perceive their differences to be so great that it will be difficult to have a constructive conversation. Start by offering opportunities to cooperate on matters of shared concern. Cooperation will provide an opportunity to build rapport and eventually work toward mutually inspiring relationships and respect across different identities.
- Some groups are already collaborating, but don’t learn about each other’s deeply held values and beliefs as they do so. You can start turning side-by-side interaction into mutually inspiring pluralism by offering opportunities for people to surface shared values and appreciate aspects of each other’s traditions in the course of working together.
Respect-Relate-Cooperate is a virtuous cycle. Each piece of it encourages and reinforces the other two.

How can I get started?

Create recurrent, low-stakes opportunities for people to build respect, relationships, and cooperation.

Here are some ideas and resources for getting started:

Cooperation Café Series Toolkit

A cooperation café series is a concrete way to build pluralism (respect, relationships, and cooperation across differences) on campus.

Guide to Appreciative Knowledge

Appreciative knowledge strengthens respect and relationships between people. Learn how to create opportunities to share appreciative knowledge.

Identifying an Ethic of Pluralism

An Ethic of Pluralism is an articulation of how your values, belief systems, worldview, and/or experiences motivate you to work together with others across differences.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pluralism

A core capacity for any pluralism leader is taking seriously the questions or concerns people may express about this vision for cooperating across differences.