We are all already multireligious
A great article in the Christian Century recently about "Double Belonging" features my theological mentor, Paul Knitter. Paul is one of several people interviewed in the article who see themselves as more than just Christian. Each story gets to a basic Truth that I’ve begun to recognize more clearly this past year of Open Hearts Gathering’s existence–that none of us are of just one religion.
When we get together as a group, we come from many different Christian backgrounds, influenced by a number of other religious sources. Over this first year of our existence, we have brought together with us other people who practice forms of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Wicca, Bahai, and Gnostic ways. Christianity isn’t the only religion that we practice and preach. We believe in and live within all kinds of different religious traditions.
So, whether I pray the Jewish Shema in the morning, walk through some Tai Chi moves after breakfast, or practice Zazen for a few minutes in the afternoon, I do all these things through a Christian lens, and beyond it. We all belong doubly, triply, quadruply, because all these religions permeate the one religion we think we belong to. It’s time to recognize our inherent interreligiousness. What do you think?....
Thanks, Paul, for pointing it out to us so publicly!
Tags: Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, interfaith
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Morse on -
When I was younger, I was both drawn to and scared of exploring other traditions. My embedded theology was still strong enough to make me fear that I'd be making Jesus mad. It is funny to me now, but it was very serious at the time. Fortunately I chose courage over fear. The more I explored things like Zazen, Tai Chi, and other (mostly eastern wisdom) vehicles, the more I came to appreciate Jesus. However my appreciation for Jesus was less and less colonialist. It was more mature.
If anyone reading this is considering exploring other paths, go for it! It is not "cheating on Jesus". Indeed, I'd love to participate in a service that is nothing more than a large room full of people chanting OM for 30 minutes. That would be a transcendental experience.
For Christians interested in a mature approach to interfaith thinking, I encourage a little google search on a fellow named John Hick.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Morse on
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Permalink Reply by John E. Smith on -
Hi, Dennis
Thanks for sharing Paul's article. This puts into an articular form something I have been feeling for a long time now. If we really believe in the power of God, why would we then restrict ourselves to experiencing only one or two expressions of that power?
I know this will not be popular in some circles. I was once denounced because I had the temerity to facilitate a Disciples youth group in a study of comparative religions (and I don't mean Presbyterians versus Baptists:). The final straw apparently was our field trips to other churches in the area . . . I even found what was at that time a very small Jewish congregation camping out in a house in Tyler, Texas, which was extraordinary.
I remember being confronted by one mother who angrily and fearfully stated "What if they like another church better?!". Having watched this group of normal teenagers at church services and other functions, I silently thought that might be a really good thing, but I did hold my tongue.
A richness exists in this world and exposing ourselves to the various expressions of spirituality is how we come to truly appreciate that richness.
Thanks!
John
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Permalink Reply by Dennis R. M. Teall-Fleming on -
It's always a good thing to point out our inherent interreligiousness wherever we are, despite what some circles might think of it. We already read and pray from Jewish scriptures, and have borrowed all kinds of concepts for our own scriptures and theologies from Greek, Roman, Zoroastrian, Celtic, Norse, etc., traditions. I find that the best place to explore and celebrate these discoveries is within Youth Ministry. Most Youth Ministry is done in a way that ALL of church should be done, anyway!, and to be able to take field trips across religious lines....well, you can do that right within a Sunday service if you want!
If you're up for it, try something I've done in several contexts, that has always opened doors to our interreligious reality. Start a sermon/study group with a reading from the Qur'an, without letting the assembly/group know what you're reading from. Then ask them what book of the Bible they think you just read from. Then tell them what the source is, and begin to preach/reflect on our interreligiousness. If you need a Qur'an, ask your local mosque, or go to http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/SURAI.HTM. And Enjoy!
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