World Religion Day
Posted by owen59 on January 22, 2007
Went to a World Religion Day function on Sunday 21st Jan 2007. Present were Baha’is, Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims, in just a small group of about 30 people. It was held at a Vovi Meditation Centre which is run by a vietnamese refugee from the 1970’s – a wonderful person. There were readings from many religions, even those not present, some recorded choir and a prayer sung in Motu (dialect of PNG). Everyone socialised happily around a vegetarian tea. Not only is there hope for inter-religious fellowship, it is evident that it can be achieved with all, maybe with the exception of very disturbed people.
Charles Boyle said
I think it important to recognise the distinction between “Spirituality” which is common to all, and “religion” which in simple terms is the daily habit by which one can acquire spirituality, and which provides a lens through which to view and make relative sense of the events of life, all of which contribute to the development of those qualities which distinguish us as human.
Thus I have no difficulty in acknolwedging and engaging with people of other religious persuasions.
I have always been intriged by the notion that the story of Judas was in fact a parable – he was the “closest” of the disciples to Jesus, and yet he betrayed him. My old vicar used to explain hoiw he did so because the devil enetered his heart and persuaded him to betray Jesus. I take a slightly different view that he lovd Jesus with such a love that he could not understand how Jesus could share His love equally with the other disciples, and in a fit o jealousy, betrayed Him, and when he realised what he had doen, he committed suicide – a very common and understandabl story.
But the meaning is perhaps this – that no one disciple had the right to claim the exclusive love of Jesus, any more than any one church has the right to claim to represent Jesus, any more than any one religion has the right to claim exclusive representation of God.
Indeed so much of the sadness and pain in the world is caused not by hate, but by an excessive love that would admit no alternative expression. Thus one religion would appear to hate another, but not because of any inherent loathing, but because its devotees are so bsotted and attached to their views that they cannot entertain any other view and this gradually turns from reaction into rejection into repulsion and into repression.
the more we can do toi break down the barriers of unfamiliarity, and to encourage others in their religious practice the better will we al be for it. So more power to your inter-faith gatherings.