IN THEORY:
Entering into interfaith dialogue

April 4, 2008

Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders have reacted positively to the Saudi Arabian king’s proposal for dialogue among different faiths. King Abdullah’s idea is to bring the faiths together under the idea that they all believe in the same God. Many say the dialogue can’t hurt, given the tension in the Middle East. What do you think?

I welcome the idea of interfaith meetings. But the particular context of the meeting proposed by King Abdullah is based on two fallacies that would make me personally hesitant to attend.

King Abdullah has proposed that we meet because “we all believe in the same God.” The truth is that we do not. Christians believe the Bible’s clear statements about God’s triune nature. He is one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. “In [Jesus] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” says Colossians 2:9 (New American Standard Bible).

Jesus Himself said that “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NASB). To Jews and Muslims these are blasphemous terms. When Jesus said, “I and the Father are one . . . the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.” (John 10:30-31).

King Abdullah referred to us as “brothers in faith.” The truth is that we are not. Paul addressed the “brethren” in Thessalonica “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

Those who deny the lordship of Jesus Christ deny themselves a title as “brothers” of Christians.

Let us meet together as human beings of equal worth before God, or even as Abrahamic monotheists.

But Christians can never join under a banner of Christ-rejecting beliefs. We pursue peace with all men, we pray for those who persecute us, we make a defense before all for the hope that is in us, but we must destroy, and never compromise with “speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NASB).

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

The idea of dialogue among different faiths sounds like a positive initiative to me. I don’t think it can hurt, and hopefully it’ll lead to better relations between Jews, Muslims and Christians. I also like the Saudi Arabian king’s focus, which is to address the lack of ethical conduct by some and the weakening of the family system. The implication here is that the three major monotheistic religions can make a positive contribution with respect to ethical guidelines and principles.

I invite all of us in the greater Glendale area to think about the notion of dialogue among different faiths. I happen to be a member and officer of the Glendale Religious Leaders Assn., which is an interfaith organization. The purpose of our association is to provide a forum where the recognized leaders of the various faith traditions can gather together for the express purpose of dialogue, cooperation, mutual support and service to the community.

We currently have representatives from the Christian faith and Baha’i community that participate on a regular basis but would appreciate more involvement from the recognized leaders of the Muslim and Jewish traditions. Furthermore, since Glendale has such a large Armenian population, more participation from the religious leaders of the Armenian community would also be welcome.

One of the objectives of the Glendale Religious Leaders Assn. is to serve the community in a tangible way. We have started doing this by assisting PATH Achieve Glendale in feeding the homeless. But the ideas and participation of other faith communities would also be greatly appreciated. It can only enhance the quality of life in the greater Glendale area.

AL GARCILAZO

Senior Chaplain

Glendale Adventist Medical Center

The Saudi initiative for an interfaith dialogue may initially seem like a laudable effort, but I must admit that I am deeply skeptical. If King Abdullah is sincere about bringing together various faiths to usher in an era of understanding, he should initiate the process by demonstrating real progress in his own country.

A prerequisite of any religious accord should be adherence to basic human rights. Unfortunately, the Saudis have one of the world’s worst records in this regard. Saudi Arabia is one of the only nations on the globe where Christian, Jewish and Hindu houses of prayer are forbidden. It also stands out as a country where Jewish people or Israeli passport holders are not allowed to enter. Any effort to convert from Islam is punishable by death. The regime also forbids women from driving or voting, and treats them as second-class citizens.

Judging from the way King Abdullah rules his dictatorship, I fear that this call for dialogue is just a public relations ploy. It is a brazen attempt to make a country with a dismal record on religious freedom and human rights look like a progressive advocate of tolerance and harmony. I hope one day to be pleasantly surprised by some real change in Saudi Arabia — but until we observe a genuine advance toward democracy, we should not feed their propaganda machine by participating in a charade.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

I agree. This dialogue would be good, and this initiative by King Abdullah is a bold move in that direction. Jews, Christians and Muslims all believe in God, but, of course, the problem is what kind of God. It was good that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited Pope Benedict last November because he also is for dialogue.

More than a year before this meeting, Pope Benedict called for dialogue in his famous talk at the University of Regensburg on Sept. 20, 2006. In that speech he called for a “genuine dialogue of cultures and religions.” He said that we could succeed only “if reason and faith come together in a new way, if we overcome the self-imposed limitation of reason to the empirically verifiable, and if we once more disclose its vast horizons. In this sense, theology rightly belongs in the university . . . .”

Science by its very nature deals with material things and is therefore limited in its scope. But man is also a spiritual being and knows that some things science makes possible are anti-human. The great task of universities is to go beyond the material objects of science and include the study of God.

Theology is essential in this dialogue of cultures and religions. In that speech at the University of Regensburg, Benedict said, “The courage to engage the whole breadth of reason, and not the denial of its grandeur — this is the program with which a theology grounded in Biblical faith enters into the debates of our time.”

THE REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church

Glendale

I hate always sounding like a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to interfaith ecumenism, but there is simply one fact that we just can’t get around when it comes up; that Christians believe Jesus Christ is God.

Judaism denies this, and refuses that Jesus is even the Christ (Messiah), divine or otherwise.

Muslims reject this core belief as well, so that pretty much settles whether or not we all believe in the same God. The Bible states that, “No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also;” and Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (1 John 2:23; John 10:30 New International Version).

Simply acknowledging “god” does not necessarily equate to “The God,” if doing so simultaneously denies His triune nature of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It would be like saying that you knew my best friend, but after describing his common similarities, you start describing him so contrarily that I recognize you don’t. For Christians, if you don’t know Christ, you don’t know God.

On the other hand, if Abdullah perceives the connection between the three named monotheistic religions (all committed to some perception of the one and only God of Abraham) then maybe we can temper our theologies long enough to sit and discuss peace.

Even if we can’t embrace one another’s religious views, we could embrace one another, and if Abdullah can live and let live, I am certain that peace can come. I am not convinced that his country is really there yet. Let’s talk peace, but let’s embrace religious freedom.

Jesus asserted, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Senior Pastor

Montrose Community Church

Of course, it’s a great idea. Whenever potential enemies are talking instead of fighting, it’s a great idea.

However, no one should expect a lot right away if the dialogue does get under way. In at least one place in the Gospels, Jesus says to be innocent as doves and wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16, Revised Standard Version). I personally believe that Christianity and its adherents have often over-emphasized the being innocent (read "naive") and under-emphasized the being wise. This time a little hope mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism might be in order. But lest somebody consider me as one with little faith, let me quote the late David Ben-Gurion, one of the founders of the state of Israel; he said that anyone who doesn’t believe in miracles is not a realist. O Lord, please help me to be that kind of realist.

THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge

There is a great need for this meeting. I am very encouraged by King Abdullah’s offer to host an interfaith and inter-religious conference.

This is especially noteworthy coming from inside Saudi Arabia.

More dialogue, in person, among many religious leaders in the name of “addressing the weakening of the family, increasing atheism and “a lack of ethics, loyalty, and sincerity for our religions andhumanity” will only promote more understanding and mutual respect. Ignore the cautions for “too much optimism.” Don’t be too cynical about political and media spins even before such a meeting takes place.

Communication is considered the universal solvent in Scientology. All familial, business, and political resolutions began with meeting and communication. L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “For a great many years I asked this question,

‘To communicate, or not to communicate?’ If one got himself in such thorough

trouble by communication, then of course one should stop communicating.

But this is not the case.

If one gets himself into trouble by communicating, he should further communicate.

More communication, not less, is the answer, and I consider this riddle solved after a quarter of a century of investigation and pondering.”

May this meeting of monotheistic faith traditions be the first of many in the Middle East. It is important to view this meeting as a first step, a beginning. More communication will eventually bring greater respect and understanding, building the foundation for future peace and cooperation. True religious values of faith, compassion and tolerance may be the real keys to the resolution of many worldwide problems.

It is time for religion to come to center stage for the resolution of conflict, not the puppet or scapegoat for further examples of man’s inhumanity to man.

CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology