Intolerant Religions
In
this morning's NEW YORK TIMES, a commentator wrote these words: "In
their most extreme forms, monotheistic religions are deeply intolerant. If
there is only one right way of doing things, every other way is wrong. If we
are good, others are evil." She could have expanded her comments by noting that
within the three great Western monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam), their own extremist branches or denominations are quite intolerant
with respect to fellow believers. Ultra-orthodox Jews reject Reform Judaism as
inauthentic; ultra-right wing Christians (such as most fundamentalists)
denounce more moderate and progressive expressions of Christianity (such as,
nearly all Episcopalians), and many militant Muslims disown Islamic
modernists.
All Religions The Same?
In
reaction to such intolerance and exclusivity, many well-intentioned people
declare that all the world's religions teach the same thing; they just have
different names for the identical "higher power." However, after one truly
studies world religions, it is easily discovered that this simplistic
declaration is false. Hinduism and Buddhism, for example, do not share with
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam a trust in the personal Creator as portrayed
in the Bible and Qur'an. When we undertake comparative studies of global
religions, we discover that they all share very similar questions about
existence, but their answers are often incompatible.
Public Prefers Easy Certainties
Of
course, this is not what the public wants to hear. Generally speaking, people
do not want to have to study seriously any matters of religion. The preferred
approach is to be handed a package of easy beliefs that claim to be objectively
correct, and by implication, that all other beliefs are mistaken. Such extreme
religious forms (whether monotheistic or not) are the ones that are growing
today. The majority wants no uncertainty or ambiguity; the mainstream demands
to be as knowledgeable as God - with godlike certainty - and, of course, at an
elementary school level.
Mentored Study A Rarity
Regrettably,
with just a little effort, countless thinking people prematurely throw together
their own religious beliefs often resulting in a nice try, but, at best,
convictions permeated with significant inadequacies and inconsistencies.
Continuing study guided by truly qualified mentors is a rarity.
Prologue to John Offers Focus
As our
Reading, we have just heard the introductory verses of the Gospel According to
Saint John. This remarkable, subjective poetry is a summarizing interpretation
of all the events and folklore related to the Nativity of Jesus. Unconcerned
with angels, human biology, stables and shepherds, this "Prologue" (as it is
called) to John's Gospel provides a heartfelt yet mindful focus for our current
liturgical celebration. Undeniably, faithful Christians translate and
comprehend this focal point in different ways, but the focus is provided and
guides us well.
As I Have It
All I
can offer you is my own grasp of what we are about these Christmas days.
Perhaps you will read the leaflet insert of my Christmas Day sermon at home, so
that I can be somewhat brief now. In a few words, I am among those convinced
that in the course of time, about two thousand years ago, the Creator's purpose
for all human beings, poetically speaking God's very Word, was
personified in Jesus. In the New Testament portraits of his life and ministry,
we witness the glory of God's light and plan for us all. We do not need to look
any further for God's common plan for our individual lives! For two millennia,
we Christians have confessed that Jesus the Christ is the unique, exemplary
image of God, like a son who has uniquely disclosed his Father's personal and
active Will of love.
Emmanuel Here and Now
As you
and I worship together tonight, we need no greater precision, definitions, or
formulations; for, with the illuminating Gospel According to John we are
gathered, not in a laboratory or library, but here in prayer. With the
Word Made Flesh nurturing us this very hour, you and I may discover the
dynamic light and love of God. Moreover, we may more fully comprehend our own
shared identity as daughters and sons of God, a new fellowship of people called
to become more and more like their Lord. Especially here, we are nurtured as
the Creator's own family - as we listen to his Word, share the
Eucharistic bread and wine, and reflect carefully on the Gospel's meanings for
our daily lives. No abstract idea this Word; rather, if willing, you and
I experience here and now the living presence of Emmanuel, God-With-Us.
Strengthened With God's Word, Loving
Tolerance Can Begin With Us
You
and I will inevitably disagree as we seek to understand the implications of
this Word of God. The Creator has chosen to NOT spell out the details,
but to let human beings sort it all out and disagree in love, generation after
generation. Although I could find selected Bible verses to the contrary, I am
not at all interested in claiming that my understanding, my Faith, is
absolutely correct, that other thorough interpretations are utterly false, or
that other world religions are evil and damnable.
I
am persuaded that Christ's unique Way of living in loving relationships
with God and one's neighbors is on course for all humanity. I believe this with
all my heart and mind. I believe further that we may enthusiastically share
this view of life without mean-spirited condemnations of others' beliefs. Were
we truly willing to differ, various Christian gatherings, as well as those of
other religions, would have a far more positive impact on human communities
than they have thus far. Nonetheless, in our own small ways, such a Spirit of
loving tolerance and humility can begin with you, and with me, in our own
varied, daily associations.