Because it is only a little theology, and much more social policy, that is discussed in Utah's public forums, the battle lines are drawn despite the fact that many residents don't really understand the religious beliefs of those who don't share their own faith, posits one man who has switched faiths at least twice.

"Tolerating the discomfort" of not only listening to, but being with, those who don't share your faith or world view is central to bridging the divide, says one man who has longed to see people discuss it openly. "It's so easy to just want to hang out with people who are like us. I think it's in that space where we tolerate the discomfort where we grow. That's why forgiveness is so difficult" when hanging onto stereotypes or injustice seems justified.

Zamora suggests that instead of "attacking the people" wielding power, the frustration should be focused on the institutions that perpetuate the division. "For me that causes a lot of the divide. We begin to attack members of the church rather than standing up against policies of the church."

"But the institution is made up of people," one man reminds him, "and it's difficult for me to separate that out. Say I'm a liberal Democrat and I want to change something." When others oppose him, in part based on his political party, "I don't experience that as an institution. I experience it as a personal attack."

Several participants leave wondering when to take the armor off, when to leave it on and how to know the difference. Like many Utahns who have grappled with the cultural divide, they wonder if it's ever safe to speak freely outside your own circle, whether they and others who are tired of the chasm will ever find a "free space" in the state's continuing game of Monopoly.

But they have hope. Before the workshop began, the Utah Psychological Association announced its decision to form the new nonprofit group, dedicated to fostering a dialogue between Utahns of all faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientations and socio-economic groups.

UPA president Mark Owens said the task force his association formed to examine the issues has determined that in itself, the group was "really not sufficient to contain all the interest coming from the community, so we needed to make a separate group that's more representative" of the community at large.

Dubbed "Chamade," a French word for "a drumbeat calling people to a party," the new agency is an outgrowth of discussions the UPA task force initiated last fall among a variety of Utah clergy, educators, business people, government representatives and therapists concerned about the impact of the state's continuing religious divide.

Also announced was a lecture series endowed by one of the group's organizers, Paula Swaner.

The series, with the theme "Origins of Prejudice," will be organized in collaboration with the College of Humanities at the University of Utah, and with Pacifica University, the only school in the country accredited in "mythological studies." Though no speakers list has been confirmed, the series is expected to run through 2006.

Their efforts are among several currently under way in Utah to bring ordinary people of all faiths and lifestyles together. "If we can't learn to talk about this, we can't conquer it," Owens said.

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