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Religious Diversity

Nathan CollinsKaren GardnerTessa StricklandAustin WilliamsMalati Rai

The Religious Landscape - Utah

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Objective

Look & Find

Look closely and critically at the diversity of our community, analyze what this means practically for us & compare it to the national religious landscape

Communicate

Communicate our findings orally, visually & in writing

Understand

To gain knowledge & understanding of some of the religious communities mapped in our chosen area through personal interaction

Engage Analyze our personal biases & assumptions about religious communities

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Trolley Square – Religious Landscape

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Locations Selected

First United Methodist

Church

‣ Faith: Christian

‣ Founded: 1906

‣ Members: Approx 12,000

Utah Freethought

Society

‣ Faith: Atheist & Humanist

‣ Founded: March 2010

‣ Members: Less than 100

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church

‣ Faith: Catholic

‣ Founded: 1881

‣ Members: 500 +

SLC Central Seventh-day

Adventist Church

‣ Faith: Evangelist

‣ Founded: 1975

‣ Members: Unknown

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First United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City *Christian*

‣ “Some” of Their Community Efforts:

• Community Service: For homeless and under privileged in the community

• Local Non-profit Organizations: Salt Lake Rescue Mission, Family Promise of Salt Lake, Crossroads Food Pantry, Urban Center Thrift Store, Habitat for Humanity and ReStore, and Uniclef Collection

• Internal Ministry & World Community Efforts: Homeless Youth Breakfasts every month, Transgender Inclusion Projects, Fellowship Breakfast, and Busy Bee Group. World Efforts include: The Clara Foundation (non-profit) and the Guatemala Vision Journey

Location: 200 South 200 EastFounded: 1906 Designed by: Utah arcitect Fredrick Albert HaleMembership: Approximately 12,000. Most famous member was Mr. JC Penny and his wife Diversity: Diverse membership with a high portion being KoreanServices: Holds both in English and Korean services weeklyFun Fact: Has the oldest pipe organ in the state

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Utah Freethought Society (Church & State) *Humanist*

‣ Their purpose is to:• Regular meetings open to members of the

Utah Freethought Society and the general public; 

• Dissemination of information and materials pertaining to freethought, the history of freethinking versus established religion, and church/state issues in the United States; 

• Non-theistic moral and ethical philosophy,

• Serving the larger community through service projects and other forms of outreach.

Location: 370 S. 300 E. (They don’t own or rent the building)Founded: March 2010 Their first meeting was on March 29, 2010Membership: 18 years + Anyone 18 years old or older can obtain a membership and meet with themDiversity: Very diverse, They welcome anyone that wants to joinFun Fact: They also meet at the Mestizo Coffeehouse every Monday at 7pm (You can meet them at the coffeehouse)

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Saint Paul’s Episcopal ChurchSalt Lake City *Catholic*

‣ “Some” of Their Community Efforts:

• Daily Activities: Daily classes from scripture study and activities. Eucharist services every Wednesday, Saturday, and three times on Sunday.

• Collections for Crossroads Urban Center

• The Food Pantry

• Preschool

Location: 261 South 900 EastFounded: October 1881Diversity: A large mixed culture with a high volume of Haiti, Navajo, and LGBT within the congregation.Diversity: Diverse membership with a high portion being KoreanService for all: Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you are welcome here.

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Location: 800 E 400 S.Founded: September 27, 1975Diversity: Very diverse with high volume of refugee faithsServices: Sundays in English (some in Kinyarwandese)

Salt Lake City Central Seventh-day Adventist Church *Evangelistic*

Mission Statement and Community Efforts

Actively and Together proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.Give freely and unselfishly of our time, labor, money, and means.Anxiously and lovingly witness this message out in our lives that others might respond to His love.Practice what we preach and teach.Evangelize and prepare God’s People for the soon return of Jesus.

Daily Bible classes Prayer Meetings

Youth Programs ESL Classes

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National & Regional ComparisonReligious diversity in Utah vs America

Judaism

Buddhism

Protestant

Evangelical

Catholic

LDS

0.5

5

7

7

10

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Religion in AmericaReligion in Utah(Mostly Mormons) (Mostly Christians & Catholics)

Buddhism

Hinduism

Jehovahs Witness

Muslim

Catholic

Christian

0.7

0.7

0.8

0.9

20.8

70.6

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Diversity in the chosen location was still highly populated by the LDS faith. Catholic, Protestant, Episcopalian, and Christian were higher and more in alignment with America. Though heavy in Christianity, Utah is growing at a steady pace towards Eastern faiths such as Buddhism, Muslim, and Hindu. Overall, Utah is still behind America in diversity.

Diversity & Conclusion

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Source Material• www.firstmethodistslc.org

• http://www.centralsda.com/

• https://sites.google.com/site/utahfreethoughtsociety/

• www.stpauls-slc.org

• Perry, William Stevens, “The History of American Episcopal Church 1587-1881, Fac-similes of church documents, Jun. 2016.