FAQ

IS HORIZON MULTI-FAITH?
Yes. Horizon communities try to accommodate the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Oklahoma, because of the large Native American population, the Horizon community includes a Native American pod. Proselytizing is prohibited in all Horizon units by federal and state policy.  

HOW DO PARTICIPANTS GROW IN THEIR FAITH?
Christian volunteers provide faith-specific teaching and encouragement to Christian family pods within the community. Jewish volunteers provide faith-specific teaching and encouragement to Jewish family pods. Islamic volunteers provide faith-specific teaching and encouragement to Muslim community members. Library and study materials are made available. Secular programs are studied together.

WHAT IS THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FAITHS?
Active Horizon multi-faith communities are predominately Christian, simply because there are fewer Jews or Muslims in prison. Within the five active Horizon units, 94% are Christian, 2.5% Jewish, and 3.5% Islamic. Where there is a viable number of Jews or Muslims to constitute a family within a faith-based unit, arrangements are made to provide faith-specific support from the free-world community. We do not ask volunteers of any faith to teach what they do not know and embrace. We have upon occasion, by mutual consent, provided an Outside Brother of a different faith for a particular participant. These situations have resulted in strong relationships of respect. 

IS THERE DIALOGUE AND DISCUSSION AMONG THE DIFFERENT FAITHS?
Theology is understanding God through human experience. Horizon recognizes theology as an ongoing explorative discussion, not a specific teaching of a particular faith expression. Horizon does not promote a belief that God is the exclusive domain of any one faith group and therefore does not encourage volunteers, staff or participants to debate particular theological doctrine or dogma with the intention of "winning over" other faith groups or individuals. Horizon encourages respectful dialogue intended to promote understanding and wisdom. Horizon observes the differences among:
debate – the effort to impose one’s views on the other
dialogue – an effort to promote understanding
discussion - an effort to recognize similarities and differences among subjects.*
* Adapted from National Dialogues on Antiracism the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A., 1999 by the Interfaith Center for Peace, Columbus, Ohio

HOW IS PARTICIPATION RECOGNIZED?
Certificates are awarded those who complete the year-long program. Participants have struggled through at least 600 hours of intense program time spread over the year, plus untold hours in community discussions and trying to live a better life in their workplace within the prison. Their accomplishments deserve recognition.
Celebration is a large part of Horizon, marking significant milestones such as completion of a particular teaching program, Family Day and Graduation.

HOW IS HORIZON FINANCED?
Horizon is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit corporation.
Horizon contracts for service with state departments of corrections or the federal bureau to cover costs of personnel. Grants from foundations and gifts from individuals provide funding for programs and materials.
Horizon is organized to contract for services with other federal agencies such as Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, Justice, to address mutual goals of family relationships, education, employability and successful re-entry to society. These objectives are addressed through programs presented in Horizon Communities in Prisons.

DOES RECEIPT OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR SERVICE INFLUENCE HORIZON’S PROGRAM?
No, not so long as we "minister" and avoid "evangelizing."
Under the White House Faith Based Initiative, policy says, "You can't preach on Uncle Sam's dollar."
The initiative allows faith-based communities access to the same public funds as secular social service organizations for the purpose of serving those in need and providing social services. 
There is broad recognition by government that faith-based efforts are often more effective and efficient than the secular approach. Specifically, in contracting for service, we agree to ministry rather than evangelism.