Interfaith..

Ecumenical doesn't mean the same thing as Interfaith. Christians--and Christian clergy--are often happy to be ecumenical, which typically means fellowshipping, strategizing, engaging in study or service with, or otherwise acknowledging Christians of other denominations. Laity are much more natural at doing this than clergy, for they are neighbors, co-workers, friends, and even family to others of different, but usually Christian, faith traditions. I have known clergy who would not fraternize with clergy of what they would consider "radically" different Christian churches or denominations. Fundamentalist pastors, for example, are often not comfortable with "mainline" clergy who interpret the Bible using historical-critical skills in an attempt to discern what passages from the Bible meant when first written versus what they may mean for us today. Charismatic Christians or Pentecostals may make "mainline" clergy uncomfortable, with their belief that through the sign gifts and "conversational" prayer, they have a highly personal and intimate relationship with God, who may even tell them which car to buy. Roman Catholic priests were at one time reticent about joining local clergy associations or ministeriums, but most priests today, who were raised in the post-Vatican II era, are quite engaging of such ecumenical efforts, even participating in ecumenical services, as their time allows.

Interfaith engagements is another matter. Interfaith obviously means some meeting of the minds of persons who may have entirely different views of God, holy writ, and customs or traditions. Interfaith gatherings may include Christians, Jews, Muslims, Unitarians, Buddhists, Hindus, B'ahi adherents, Sikhs, and/or cultural or geographical manifestations of any of these faith groups. Our N.O.R.T.H. (Neighborhood Organizations Responding Together for Hope) Interfaith group has even had several Mormon friends joining us. Again, there are adherents to any of these faith groups, and ones from others not listed, who eschew Interfaith cooperation, but all of the ones listed have had persons involved in some of N.O.R.T.H.'s activities and justice work.

Speaking as a United Methodist clergy person, I can attest to the fact that not all of my United Methodist colleagues are comfortable with Interfaith relationships, and that is certainly their choice. I have found these Interfaith intersections to be unique and wonderful opportunities to learn about, appreciate, and respect the faith journey of others. While I maintain my Christian witness--and all of the other faith groups strongly affirm my integrity in doing so--I don't try to "convert" others in these encounters, or criticize their belief systems in any way. I happen to believe the "kingdom" (or Realm) of God--what Dr. King called "The Beloved Community"--is much greater and more inclusive than I can wrap my limited Christian mind around. I have to be honest--my Christian faith seems comparatively simple to me, as I believe God does the "heavy lifting," leaving me to mostly try to love others according to the teachings of Jesus, and to work for justice and peace in my world. Some of these other faiths have such respect and reverence for God, and the essentials for them often seem to require such discipline and devotion in practicing various prayers, rituals, and acts of mercy and kindness that I think I would be a mediocre disciple, were I to try. While I may see the love, grace, and redemption of Christ--a free gift to me, and one I cannot earn--as a "selling point" of Christianity, I have learned that it can also create in some of our adherents a licentiousness and apathy that dilutes or oversimplifies the deeper aspects of living out one's Christian life and discipleship. My Muslim friends have five times of required prayer each day, and Five Pillars that all Muslims are challenged to observe throughout their lifetime. There have been times in my Christian ministry that, when I suggested to my congregations that they should have some kind of daily office with God, the response has been, shall we say, less than enthusiastic. Oh, and sometimes my own devotion to it has been, too! And please don't say, Christian reader, that Muslims pray the five prayers and observe the Five Pillars because they have to. Most of my Muslim colleagues and friends do so out of a deep, personal sense of devotion and affection for Allah.

This is not a theological column, though. I don't want to argue the merit of my faith against the others (wouldn't do it, personally), nor make any judgments about the motivations and beliefs of the others that might alienate them from me and me from them. I do want to share, however, that beyond learning from my Interfaith friends, I have loved to serve with them and engage in justice work and peacemaking with them. You see, all of our theologies lead us toward "fixing the world" or "restoring God's benevolent order" to it in such a way that all persons may be accepted, affirmed, and offered equal opportunities in our local communities, and in this nation. Some of my Interfaith friends are immigrants, and it pains me to see them denigrated or harassed in a nation that is founded on the principle that "all [men] are created equal." Beyond friendship, the point of intersection for N.O.R.T.H. is our desire for justice, peace, and safety for all of God's people, and the right for the "pursuit of happiness."

Sometimes this cooperative, Interfaith work means just respecting and understanding each other. However, at other times it means attending public hearings or meetings together to speak with a common voice, or raising funds to help others who are suffering. On a couple of occasions it has meant standing with our Muslim friends when they were being threatened by intolerant neighbors or denied the opportunity to purchase property by prejudiced property owners. We have stood with our local Unitarian Universalist friends when their "Black Lives Matter" signs were being stolen or vandalized right on their own church property.

N.O.R.T.H. began "Friendship Dinners" in January of 2017 where all of our Interfaith friends come together to fellowship around the table, and discuss common concerns. Sometimes we have used these dinners to form Affinity Groups organized around a cause such as dismantling racism, LGBTQIA inclusion, voting rights, gun safety, or immigration. Other times we have held more formal "round table" discussions around a topic, such as the one at our upcoming April 19 dinner, which is around the issues of racism and white privilege. Most of all, these dinners have created a bigger neighborhood for each of us. One table of eight, made up of persons of different ethnic, national, and faith backgrounds, decided to meet together outside of our "Friendship Dinners," and as far as I know, they still do get together in each other's homes in this manner for fellowship and understanding.

Interfaith encounters have been so very enriching to me, personally. The purpose of this column is to encourage you, the reader, to be open to them and to find opportunities to participate in one. However, if this is not your "cup of tea," so to speak, please be respectful of those who have found it a portal into The Beloved Community Dr. King spoke about. And if your pastor, priest, rabbi, imam (or whatever title you give to your faith's "clergy") chooses to participate in cooperative, Interfaith endeavors, please don't trash them for it.

Thanks for listening...Shalom, Yinz.