Members of the monotheistic religions believe in one
God. This is true for Jews, Christians
and Muslims. So, why do some believers
have problems respecting the faith of other believers? Why will some Christians not pray with other
Christians or Muslims or Jews? Why will
some Jews not attend the synagogue of other Jews? Why are their such acrimonious divisions
between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Some of it has to do with truth and human nature. Monotheistic believers claim they have
received a revelation from God which is the truth. They have read the Bible or studied the
Confessions or the Talmud of their Church or community, and they are sure they
are right. This kind of surety is seductive.
It means you and your group are the only ones with the truth.
When these truths differ even in the slightest details with
what other believers interpret, some people take offense and see it as their
duty to defend the purity of their truth.
And religions have categories like believer and unbeliever, insider and
outsider, faithful and faithless, good and evil. These categories can be constructive and
inclusive, but they can also be destructive and exclusive.
Truth is not something we, or our group possesses. Truth is something we humans pursue. Truth is tentative and a glimpse at
best. We do not easily get there because
our five senses are too limited. When we
are honest, we confess we do not know or understand the mysteries of the
universe.
Our best strategy for engagement with those of other religious
beliefs is respect and humility.
Whether you be
religious or non-religious, believe what you believe is the truth. Argue and defend what you believe. But
think that you could be wrong.
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