Religious scholars and theologians joined faith leaders from diverse faith traditions at the University of Southern California on November 3-4, 2016 to explore the power, purpose and meaning of sacred spaces and sacred clothing in everyday life and worship. What can the ancients teach us about sacred spaces and holy vestments? In today’s secular environment, how do world religions use temples, mosques, cathedrals, and churches to draw a connection between believers or seekers and the divine? What imprint have faith traditions left on our communities, and, in shaping civil societies? Is there tolerance for religious clothing or does it too frequently evoke derision and misunderstanding?

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The conference, which was free and open to the public, was also viewed through live streaming technology by viewers in nine foreign countries (Canada, UK, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Greece, Tanzania and Colombia) as well as the United States. Analytics showed we had over 1,500 online “locations/viewers” that tuned in. USC’s “Daily Trojan” wrote a front page article about the conference in its popular Homecoming edition.

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The conference was sponsored by the John A. Widtsoe Foundation, USC’s Office Of Religious Life, the Academy For Temple Studies, Our Savior Parish USC Caruso Catholic Center, the California Missionary Baptist State Convention, the Los Angeles Greek Orthodox Community, the USC Latter-day Saint Student Association and the Los Angeles Institute of Religion.