Problems
I read that the Temple in Jerusalem, described in the books of Kings in the bible, was built by Solomon with help from his northerly neighbour, the ruler of Lebanon who sent logs for beams and decoration carved panels. The temple was in effect, open to more than one nationality and religion. I had previously thought that a multi-faith building, or community centre, was a modern idea. Where do you see multi-faith buildings or ceremonies or events nowadays?
Answers
Many hospitals and airports have multi-faith chapels or rooms for prayer.
I have seen one at Northwick Park hospital. Another is at Heathrow airport in London. Signs and brochures list them at many airports.
A different idea is to use the same buildings cut shared for use on different days.
In the USA, when we were living there in the 1980s, we attended a meeting at a building in Maryland or Washington DC, which was a synagogue on Saturday and a church on Sunday. The sign outside swivelled. On arrival, the person in charge of your group turned the sign. When you left, if you remembered, you might turn it back for the others.
I've heard the same idea of sharing a building suggested for small congregations in NW London. Whoever had a religious building, but cannot afford to run in with a dwindling congregation, can rent it out by the day, or split the annual running costs.
Another option is to take over another religion's building. Two notable examples of this are in Spain.
From a tourist's point of view, in Spain I was intrigued to see a small synagogue which had been converted into a church.
A large and impressive site on the tourist route is the mosque - church of Cordoba in Spain.
In the East End of London an old synagogue (Brick Lane) has been taken over by a mosque.
If you just enjoy the grandeur and decoration of religious buildings, whilst not necessarily wanting to be involved in religions, some lovely conversations of old churches have been made into restaurants in the UK and I went to one in New Zealand.
Universities in the UK are building multi-faith spaces.
UK
http://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2015/07/24/london-east-end-synagogue-bought-by-neighboring-mosque
https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/prayer-rooms-and-chapel
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/airport-facilities/faith-and-worship/
SPAIN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synagogue_of_El_Transito
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque–Cathedral_of_Córdoba
HONG KONG
Multi-faith space at airport.
CANADA
Toronto multi-faith buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multifaith_space
GERMANY
Church-mosque-synagogue planing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27872551
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
I read that the Temple in Jerusalem, described in the books of Kings in the bible, was built by Solomon with help from his northerly neighbour, the ruler of Lebanon who sent logs for beams and decoration carved panels. The temple was in effect, open to more than one nationality and religion. I had previously thought that a multi-faith building, or community centre, was a modern idea. Where do you see multi-faith buildings or ceremonies or events nowadays?
Answers
Many hospitals and airports have multi-faith chapels or rooms for prayer.
I have seen one at Northwick Park hospital. Another is at Heathrow airport in London. Signs and brochures list them at many airports.
A different idea is to use the same buildings cut shared for use on different days.
In the USA, when we were living there in the 1980s, we attended a meeting at a building in Maryland or Washington DC, which was a synagogue on Saturday and a church on Sunday. The sign outside swivelled. On arrival, the person in charge of your group turned the sign. When you left, if you remembered, you might turn it back for the others.
I've heard the same idea of sharing a building suggested for small congregations in NW London. Whoever had a religious building, but cannot afford to run in with a dwindling congregation, can rent it out by the day, or split the annual running costs.
Another option is to take over another religion's building. Two notable examples of this are in Spain.
From a tourist's point of view, in Spain I was intrigued to see a small synagogue which had been converted into a church.
A large and impressive site on the tourist route is the mosque - church of Cordoba in Spain.
In the East End of London an old synagogue (Brick Lane) has been taken over by a mosque.
If you just enjoy the grandeur and decoration of religious buildings, whilst not necessarily wanting to be involved in religions, some lovely conversations of old churches have been made into restaurants in the UK and I went to one in New Zealand.
Universities in the UK are building multi-faith spaces.
UK
http://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/2015/07/24/london-east-end-synagogue-bought-by-neighboring-mosque
https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/prayer-rooms-and-chapel
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/airport-facilities/faith-and-worship/
SPAIN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synagogue_of_El_Transito
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque–Cathedral_of_Córdoba
HONG KONG
Multi-faith space at airport.
CANADA
Toronto multi-faith buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multifaith_space
GERMANY
Church-mosque-synagogue planing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27872551
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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