Faiths Act

Some people believe that the world of ‘Interfaith’ is all about enlightening people of faith to realize that we are all somehow connected to one common belief. That despite our differences we essentially believe the same thing and therefore we should somehow merge our collective faith identities into one new ‘religious movement’. The assumption is that somehow building one ‘Super Faith’ will overcome the religious divide that is believed to be ‘plaguing’ our world today.

Through my work in the Tony Blair Faith Foundation I believe that the realm of interfaith is quite different to these assumptions. Also, after seven months of interfaith work I believe that it is important that interfaith work must intentionally stay clear of any type of merger.

I don’t believe that we should endeavour to create one religion for all peoples. I don’t think that combining various elements from separate religions is a good idea. Blending different beliefs together to create a new globalized spiritual identity might sound like a natural conclusion to interfaith dialogue to some but, in my humble opinion, not only do I think that it is actually an impossibility but absolutely foolish to even try. If we ignore the intimate details that define our faith, and therefore define our identity, we do ourselves and those around us a grave disservice. I think that the issues that are ‘plaguing’ are society have less to with the actually differences of opinions but rather the way we go about handling them.

In the light of ‘interfaith harmony’ week I think that it is important to address this topic. To the many people who are unfamiliar with what ‘Interfaith’ means this is brilliant time to convey the potential that it has to be grow and develop people of different faiths. So within the arena of interfaith work why is it important to ensure that faiths are not branded as being one and the same?

Because, to put it simply, religions are different and this fact needs to be directly acknowledged, understood and discussed. In the world of religious fundamentalism where people hold deep and differing convictions, that often infer consequences on the lives and deaths of others it becomes important to encourage healthy and safe dialogue. If we attempt to ignore these topics or nonchalantly think we can simply blend them together then we are not teaching people how to deal with challenging ideologies. If people don’t learn how to do this in a healthy manner, then confrontation arises, often in an unhealthy way. 

To help illustrate this, I would like to share a little experience of my time (as a Christian) working with a Muslim colleague at the Jewish humanitarian organization, Ve’ahavta.

There was a day that I was in a meeting with a number of my fellow colleagues, we were all sitting around a table and as we conversed the topic of discussion quickly turned from work to religion. There was a moment, I don’t even remember exactly what we were talking about, but I happened to mention that I have a great respect for Judaism because I believe Christianity to be a continuation of Judaism. At that moment my Muslim colleague looked at me and said, “Wow, that’s interesting because we believe Islam to similar in that it is a continuation of Christianity.”

I was surprised by my reaction. To be honest, I was incensed! How could someone possibly say something like this? In my thinking I saw these two traditions as being completely different. I felt like somehow my own identity as a Christian was not being acknowledged for what I have grown up believing it to be. I was ready to stand up and fight for my Faith and make sure that this ‘travesty’ be rectified.

And then I was hit a humbling realization; Moments before my colleagues comment, I had just done the exact same thing to others in the room.

Their understandings of Judaism and Christianity were not the same, and therefore in my own ignorance, I had made others feel exactly the same emotions that had just enraged me. My assumption that everybody believed Christianity to be the continuation of Judaism was loaded with the same potential miscommunication as my colleagues following comment. In that moment I understood why there is so much strife when it comes to religious differences in the world today. I don’t believe that I am the only person that has felt the intense emotion of being misunderstood. People do not appreciate their identity being explained by those who do not understand them.

I see the world of interfaith as an important training ground that allows people of various religious convictions to get together and know one another. I think that so much of the issues that plague our world today have more to do with poor communication, ignorance and fear of difference rather than labels, be they religious or otherwise. Therefore I think it is far more important to educate people about the differences that exist within our world and how we can safely navigate our ways through them.

Understanding will grow us and allow us to appreciate the people we interact with in a powerful way.

I walked away from my meeting, not only aware of a key difference in theology, but more importantly realizing that I can still hold onto my own Christian convictions despite that term being understood differently by other people. Not only that, I don’t need a sword to defend who I am. Difference need not divide and what I believe and the fact that we are still working together, with much joy I might add, is testimony to the fact that. We are still working together powerfully to raise money and awareness to eradicate malaria in the developing world and just because we have different world views does not need to prevent the saving of lives that we are working towards.

So when it comes to World Interfaith Harmony Week, it is my hope that people can sit down and discuss what each of their own faiths are about with the freedom that comes from trust and self control. I hope that each person is able to freely share what it is that they believe knowing that those around them are humble enough to listen. Then we won’t have to worry that our identities will be merged with something that they are not. As I learnt in my meeting, these discussions will be confronting and challenging but facing these important questions and dealing with the subsequent emotions safely has grown me as a Born Again Christian which means it has grown me as the person that I am.

You need not fear those that are different, and I hope that through humility, patience and respect, you need not fear for yourself either.

After all, truth speaks for itself, so sometimes we just need to let it.

Lorne Anderson, Faith Act Fellow