“Many from One”
by Zeus Yiamouyiannis (copyright 2009)
Diversity celebrates oneness
In the divine perspective
We are the myriad reflections
of a universal spirit
poured out
A beautiful
and continual
act of creation.
We are the messengers
of a cosmic force
inflected uniquely through our beings
We are the receivers and givers
Conducted by grace,
Elicited in rapturous symphony
We are the tunings
Of a fine metal bowl
That, when struck, rings long past our lives
Blessings,
Zeus Yiamouyiannis (http://anopenman.blogspot.com/, copyright 2009)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The new religious pluralism emphasizes vitality and cooperation rather than neutrality and isolation
There is a new force emerging in interfaith arenas. Organizations like the Interfaith Youth Core (ifyc.org) are assertively and compassionately seeking to establish religious cooperation and pluralism as a strong norm in global society. Well, some may shrug, hasn't this always been the case by some group? Not in this manner. The change can be seen not only in a youthful energy but a different approach. Instead of fearing religious engagement and finding ways to neutralize tensions with mere discussion, IFYC and other progressive organizations are expanding the reach of religious dialogue into active projects which demonstrate that faith can affirmatively enhance the bonds within society. I think this is a welcome change that will help healthy, pro-social religious attitudes gain footing and meaning.
In the weak form of religious pluralism, approval is the arbiter of rightness, and offense or disapproval is the evidence of wrongness of one's own belief or convictions. In the new strong form, spiritual and religious expression and cooperation is emboldened by the coming together of two independent persons, with their openness and desire to connect. In this new emerging pluralism different believers and non-believers alike can affirm in their connection something beyond themselves, a larger truth than can be embodied by their limited human capacities coming together to birth into reality a new and larger truth.
Spiritual vitality is the arbiter of this new strong form of interfaith. It demands that we be exactly who we are and to deepen that (not water it down) in interaction with others. As it demands we become "more us," it also demands that we become more than us in the face of the unveiling of God's glory in the active, expressed nature of another.
Religious pluralism becomes a necessity of deepening my Christian faith. My faith relies upon Christianity, and the deepening of my Christianity relies upon the gifts of people who do not think as I do, and religious traditions that have developed different ways to understand what Christians call the living Word, Spirit in the world.
I am making a fairly radical claim: My "Christianness" is enhanced by my open, faithful engagement and invitation of other faiths. My "core" beliefs are strengthened and not weakened by God's gifts through the beliefs and religious traditions of others. I am not watered down. I am not made relativistic. Quite the contrary. I am made more ultimate in my devotion, connection, and understanding of God and of the message of Jesus in my tradition.
When I look at Gospels and the sacred teachings of Jesus, this is the message I receive: From the deepest, accepted whole of your being, give and receive. Be both more "You" than you have ever been, and more beyond the small "you", the ego that fears engagement or the the ego that seeks to extract submission.
In the weak form of religious pluralism, approval is the arbiter of rightness, and offense or disapproval is the evidence of wrongness of one's own belief or convictions. In the new strong form, spiritual and religious expression and cooperation is emboldened by the coming together of two independent persons, with their openness and desire to connect. In this new emerging pluralism different believers and non-believers alike can affirm in their connection something beyond themselves, a larger truth than can be embodied by their limited human capacities coming together to birth into reality a new and larger truth.
Spiritual vitality is the arbiter of this new strong form of interfaith. It demands that we be exactly who we are and to deepen that (not water it down) in interaction with others. As it demands we become "more us," it also demands that we become more than us in the face of the unveiling of God's glory in the active, expressed nature of another.
Religious pluralism becomes a necessity of deepening my Christian faith. My faith relies upon Christianity, and the deepening of my Christianity relies upon the gifts of people who do not think as I do, and religious traditions that have developed different ways to understand what Christians call the living Word, Spirit in the world.
I am making a fairly radical claim: My "Christianness" is enhanced by my open, faithful engagement and invitation of other faiths. My "core" beliefs are strengthened and not weakened by God's gifts through the beliefs and religious traditions of others. I am not watered down. I am not made relativistic. Quite the contrary. I am made more ultimate in my devotion, connection, and understanding of God and of the message of Jesus in my tradition.
When I look at Gospels and the sacred teachings of Jesus, this is the message I receive: From the deepest, accepted whole of your being, give and receive. Be both more "You" than you have ever been, and more beyond the small "you", the ego that fears engagement or the the ego that seeks to extract submission.
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