The Interfaith Dialogue Associat

To advance understanding of religions and ideologies by study, dialogue, and sharing about religious experiences

To eliminate prejudice between members of different religious traditions and ideologies

To foster an appreciation for the richness of diverse religions and ideologies

To identify commonalities and differences among religions and ideologies to enhance personal growth and transformation

To promote friendship and trust among people of diverse religions and ideologies

The Dialogue Decalogue: The Ground Rules of Inter-religious and Inter-ideological Dialogue*

*from Dr. Leonard Swidler's "The Dialogue Decalogue" Journal of Ecumenical Studies (1983)

We invite you to become a member and attend our programs and activities. The work of the IDA takes place within our local religious communities, schools, the media, dialogue groups, interfaith services, and conferences.

Your tax-deductible donations to support our projects are always encouraged.

Fred Stella was born, raised and educated in Detroit. He graduated the University of Detroit in 1977 with a degree in Communication Studies. His interest in world religions dates back at least that far. Fred became involved with Interfaith Dialogue Association by joining one of its long standing discussion groups in 1994. Shortly after, he was elected to the IDA board of directors. After a brief stint as vice president, his tenure as president began. During this time Fred has lectured extensively on matters of faith, spirituality and inter-religious cooperation. In 2005 he completed a 30 city tour of India where he spoke on meeting aggressive evangelical conversion campaigns with nonviolent resistance. Much of Fred's work with IDA consists in producing the weekly radio program, Common Threads, which is aired on the NPR affiliate in Grand Rapids, WGVU. For over a dozen years this show has offered a forum for authors, clergy and lay people alike, as the various world wisdom traditions are explored (see link above).

Deana Weibel was born in Orange, California and received her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from UC San Diego in 2001. She began teaching anthropology at Grand Valley State University in 2003 and her most frequently taught class is Comparative Religions. Deana does ethnographic research primarily in Rocamadour, France and Chimayó, New Mexico, studying Roman Catholic pilgrimage sites and their use by both Catholics and people from other religious groups. She has also written on the religious practices of astronauts with her husband, Glen E. Swanson.

Steve Sampson was born in Fremont, Michigan and lived on a farm in Oceana County. He took vows with the Missionary Brothers of Charity in Los Angeles in 1981. After being assigned to Houston and working in the county jail he began questioning many concepts learned in his youth. He left the community before final vows and took over as production manager of Butterball Farms. During this time he converted to Theravada Buddhism. Steve retired in 1997 and now writes. He is currently working on his 2nd book. He took his Precepts in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh at the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in Lansing in April of 2007. Steve is also a member of the 'Mindfulness Meditation Community' which meets weekly in Grand Rapids. For more information, contact Steve at 616-915-2024 or Steve.Sampson@comcast.net.

Sheldon Kopperl did his undergraduate work in chemistry at Case Western Reserve University in his home town of Cleveland.  There he also undertook                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
some advanced Hebrew studies at the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland.  He received his Ph.D. in chemistry and the history of science in 1970 from 
the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Since 1970 he has taught at Grand Valley State University and is Professor of Biomedical Sciences,  History of Science,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           .

and Religious Studies. His research interests include scientific and medical thought in the Hebrew Bible and post-Biblical authoritative (Rabbinic) Jewish texts.

Debbie Mageed was born in England and raised in the USA. She worked as a nurse and administrative assistant until her last child was born in 1997. She 
converted to Islam in 1998 while her husband was working in Saudi Arabia. Debbie is active in the Muslim as well as the interfaith community.

Jim Frishman was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the B'Nai Brith Congregation of Southfield. Jim attended Michigan State earning a BA in International Relations and Business. After working briefly in state government, he returned to MSU to earn a teaching certificate in social science. He also has a MA in educational technology and instructional design. Jim is employed with Forest Hills Public Schools as a tenured social studies and technology teacher. His interest in religion comes from a social, cultural, and historical perspective and a strong interest in inter-religious dialogue and understanding. As the author of this website, he accepts full blame for any errors or omissions :). Contact: jmf555@aol.com

IDA is pleased to be associated with a number of religious and interfaith organizations in West Michigan and elsewhere. We invite you to check out their services and activities: For more information, click here.