Crossing Party Lines: New York

New York, NY

1,874 members
Public group

Organized by CrossingPartyLines - N.

and 6 others

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What we're about

Civil, respectful conversation with people with different political views?

Yes, it is possible. We’re doing it and you can, too.

Crossing Party Lines is YOUR brave space to meet and talk with people you disagree with and may not even understand. You might have fun!

Our events include:

- DISCUSSIONS: We meet as small groups where you can talk to real people about the issues that divide us. Share your unique insights, encounter new perspectives and new ways of looking at the world, and experience what it's like to feel heard and understood.

You'll find that it is possible to disagree in a way that leaves you feeling true to yourself and your beliefs without losing your friends or your cool.

- WORKSHOPS: We teach the skills you need to effectively talk across differences. You will learn ways to foster curiosity and invite listening, acquire strategies for overcoming common communication barriers, and develop the confidence to talk politics with people you know, live, and work with.

- COMMUNITY EVENTS: We’re not just about talking – we’re also about community. We host game nights, screen videos, share books, and offer many other ways of connecting across differences.

At all events, trained facilitators set the tone of the discussion and help the group build trust. Come see what civil, respectful conversation is like. Who knows, you might make friends with someone you disagree with!

More about Crossing Party Lines:

We are a national nonprofit with chapters in eight states. Because we believe that the success of America’s unique democracy relies on the diversity of our viewpoints, we encourage people of all political views and parties to join and participate.

Come learn, explore, practice, and grow with us. Join this grassroots movement and become the change in your community.

Note: Due to COVID, most of our events are online. Unless otherwise stated, events are open to all Crossing Party Lines chapters, giving you a chance to interact with people from all over the country.

Upcoming events (1)

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Separation of Church and State: Freedom OF or Freedom FROM

Network event

35 attendees from 11 groups hosting

Mon Jun 12 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time), Mon Jun 12 2023 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) UTC

Separation of Church and State: Freedom OF or Freedom FROM

Link visible for attendees

Many people consider separation of church and state to be foundational to our country's system of government. Yet we don’t all agree on what that phrase means. For this meeting, we’ll take a deep dive into the first section of the First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

We’ll begin what is likely to become a multi-meeting exploration by discussing the second half of that section, which is commonly referred to as the Free Exercise clause. What does it mean to “make no law... prohibiting the free exercise of \”? Does this keep Church separate from State, and if so, how?

Join us as we discuss those questions as well as others that might include:

Do you agree with this interpretation from uscourts.gov that “The Free Exercise Clause protects citizens' right to practice their religion as they please, so long as the practice does not run afoul of a ‘public morals’ or a ‘compelling’ governmental interest.”?
What do you see as the difference between “public morals” and a dominant religious worldview?
How does practicing one’s religion relate to business practices and policies in a country in which many other religions are practiced by others?

Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting – once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open (and the doors close) approximately 15 minutes after the hour.

Want to have a say in the topics we offer? Cast your vote in the poll on the Crossing Party Lines Community site.

We would love to hear your thoughts on our social media pages. Don't miss topic announcements, updates, news! Follow us on:
• Instagram @crossingpartylines
• Twitter @crosspartylines
• Facebook @crossingpartylines