Who We Are
Religions for Peace USA is the largest and most broadly-based representative multi-religious forum in the United States, with participants from more than 50 religious communities, representing each of the major faith traditions.
About
RFPUSA is a national interreligious affiliate of Religions for Peace, which supports a network of nearly 100 national and regional global affiliates. Religions for Peace came into formation in the 1960’s in response to an editorial to The New York Times by Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath. The Unitarian Universalist Association, Rissho Kosei-kai, and the Union for Reformed Judaism came together to establish Religions for Peace. Originally dubbed the World Conference on Religion and Peace, by 1970 it came together as a multi-nation global organization, established itself formally in the US, and was situated to interface with the United Nations and work with faiths on challenges such as violent conflict and the need for nuclear disarmament. US actors who worked on the global growth of what eventually became named simply Religions for Peace started an independent affiliate in US in 2000.
The organization identifies shared commitments among religious communities in the U.S., enhances mutual understanding among these communities, and facilitates collaboration to address issues of common concern. RFPUSA seeks to contribute to the well being of civil society and to advance peace-building efforts and reconciliation in the United States and throughout the world. Most of the communities affiliated with RFPUSA have national constituencies, which affords our organization the ability and potential to carry out programs in every locality. Moreover, RFPUSA is part of an extensive global network of Religions for Peace which has nearly 100 affiliates globally, including in some of the most challenging places in the world.
Our current Steering Committee members are:
Co-Moderator: Rev. Youngsook Kang, United Methodist Church
Co-Moderator: Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. Nicolas Kazarian, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Secretary: Rev. Margaret Rose, The Episcopal Church
Treasurer: Mr. James Lynch, Risshō Kōsei Kai
At-Large Members:
Rabbi David Strauss, Union for Reform Judasim
Dr. Zahid Bukhari, Islamic Circle of North America – Council for Social Justice
Rev. Deyeon Park, Won Buddhist International
Rev. Abhi Ajanamanchi, Unitarian Universalist Association
Mission
Religions for Peace USA inspires and advances common actions for peacemaking through multi-religious cooperation among our nation’s religious and spiritual communities.
Vision
Religions for Peace USA envisions a nation and world in which people of faith and goodwill live together in respect and mutual support, creating paths to peace and justice.