Want to make DEI programs more effective? Focus on religion

This comes at a time when 70% of Americans believe we have a responsibility to connect with people who are different from us. Forthcoming research from More in Common shows that only 13% of Americans say they want to see American businesses, schools, and other institutions do less to promote fairness and equal opportunity. Americans of faith may have an important role to play in advocating for DEI programs that are fair and which avoid the divisiveness critics voice concerns about.

People of faith may also play meaningful roles in shaping DEI programs that transcend these concerns and which can be appreciated across the political spectrum. Believers bring distinct capacities to these conversations. More in Common’s research has found that greater religious participation, in any faith tradition, correlates with a greater willingness to connect across lines of difference, including religious difference.

In this way, religious Americans may be uniquely well placed to serve as advocates for initiatives that promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion given that their values ultimately support the principles behind them.