108 Smithfield Road

Woonsocket, RI 02895

(401) 762-5726

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2010

CONTACT: Liberty Goodwin, 401-351-9193

E-Mail: friendliberty@quakerworks.net

“A DEADLY MISUNDERSTANDING” TO BE THE FIRST TOPIC

OF A NEW INTERFAITH BOOK DISCUSSION PROJECT

A unique endeavor dedicated to “Building Bridges Over Bias Through Books” will begin on Sunday, April 25, at Smithfield Friends Meeting House on Rte. 146 in Woonsocket (just 20 minutes from Providence). Starting about 1 p.m. the group will lend its attention to the book, “A Deadly Misunderstanding: A Congressman’s Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide” by Mark D. Siljander, an Evangelical Christian who learned some surprising (to him) things about the Koran, the Torah, and even the Bible. People of all faiths (or none) are warmly invited to come for the discussion alone, or to come at 10:30 a.m. for “unprogrammed” Quaker worship and/or the noon potluck lunch as well.

The idea is to explore stories of real people who have been able to reach past the barriers of different faiths, nationalities or races to achieve better understanding and even friendship. Led by Liberty Goodwin, a member of the Smithfield Meeting of Friends (Quakers), the discussion will begin by looking at some of the means for analyzing situations where non-violent conflict resolution has been successful. Then, three excerpts from the book, “A Deadly Misunderstanding” will be examined and, hopefully, a lively exchange of ideas will ensue. The chapters are titled, “My Apology”, “The Other Holy Book” and “The Secret Language of the Bible”. Says Liberty, “Although we can’t do a thorough analysis of a book in one session we’ll at least make a start”.

If all goes as hoped for, this will be just the first of a series of facilitated discussions of true stories of transforming fear, anger & false ideas between groups and how they can assist in the quest for interfaith, interracial & international harmony: Excerpts from  “A Deadly Misunderstanding” will be available at the event, and online at the website, www.quakerworks.net The book can also be found at RI libraries. Possible topics for other events include books about a Jewish family and a Klansman (“Not by the Sword”), a Palestinian who loves Israelis, (“Blood Brothers”) and more.

Anyone with questions about the event is urged to contact Liberty at 401-351-9193, friendliberty@quakerworks.net or Marnie Miller-Gutsell, Smithfield Meeting pastor, at: (401) 762-5726 or E-Mail: MarnieMG@earthlink.net. For directions, ask, or see: www.smithfieldfriends.org/directions.htm

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