If we don’t start being tolerant of the various religions, what hope is there for world peace? How much longer can even factions within the same religion continue to kill each other? Sunni vs. Shiite. Muslims vs. Jews. Christians vs. Muslims. What is it that caused Arnold Toynbee to say, “Christians are the most arrogant imperialists of all the world’s religions”? We need more efforts like last weeks The Amazing Faiths Project” held in 70+ homes here in Houston. Religious pluralism is foundational to Christianity, so why aren’t we practicing it more?
The effort, which needs to be more than just annually, basically brings together people of different faiths to share their stories and religious culture. Their leading line says, Tolerance Begins at Home- Have Dinner – Change Your Life – Transform the World!
Sounds like a good goal to me!
Just take a look at the religious tradition that I embrace- Christianity. Mine is a religion of such vast religious pluralism seeing that it comes from many texts written by many different authors, representing different communities, written to various audiences who were facing diverse problems. The many communities that birthed the Christian religion were composed of different cultures, traditions, interests, styles of speaking, etc.
Talk about religious pluralism.
The challenge is great. How can we as a growing world culture get along with Muslim, Hindus, and Buddhists (to mention a few), if we can’t even get along with those who call themselves Christians? Until Baptists want to understand Catholics, how can they even desire fellowship with Muslims?
Until Catholics have a desire to understand Methodists and leave their salvation to the only one who offers it, why would they want to comprehend Taoism?
We don’t have to believe that “other beliefs are true”, just that they are mindsets embraced by individuals (human beings) that were created by God just like we. We must come to a place where we realize that Jesus Christ must be interpreted and culturally appropriated by a multitude of diverse people. And primary to them being able to “see” Jesus, the Christ, they must observe and witness Him in us!
If they don’t see and feel our love, how can we convince them of God’s?
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