Category Archives: Interfaith

The Diocese of New Westminster: Lost in Space

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The Diocese of New Westminster is organising a tour of “sacred spaces”; for reasons that elude me, the diocesan cathedral is included.

In the spirit of mutual understanding, respect, and peace, I’d just like to point out that if I wasn’t reasonably certain that Christianity is correct and all other religions are not, I wouldn’t bother to get up early every Sunday to attend a service of Christian worship; the sacred space of my feather pillow would be more than adequate. That means I don’t go to a Diocese of Niagara or, indeed, any Anglican Church of Canada parish, in case anyone is wondering.

Updated Sacred Spaces tourFrom here:

If interreligious dialogue is to bear fruit–the fruit of mutual understanding, respect, and peace–it needs to be rooted in the specific spiritual space or milieu of each religious tradition. If we are willing to enter into and even dwell for a time in another spiritual space, we will be able to return to the space we call home, enriched by the gifts we have received and prepared to live in peace with those who dwell in a spiritual space that is very different from our own.

Interfaith services are a growing trend, apparently

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From here:

Washington—As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, interfaith relations in the U.S. are taking on new importance. A case in point is the growing momentum of the Faith Shared project, an interfaith initiative designed to promote understanding and respect across all religions through joint services.

Sunday, June 26, saw dozens of events taking place in houses of worship across the country, including the Episcopal Church in the United States of America’s National Cathedral in Washington. Led by several religious leaders, including an imam, a rabbi and a priest, the cathedral service included readings from the Torah and the Q’uran. Similar celebrations took place in more than 70 other churches and 32 other states.

“What we have done together in this great cathedral this morning, along with others in similar services in houses of worship across our nation, can alter the image and substance of our nation, as well as our religion,” said the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Washington-based Interfaith Alliance, one of the  project’s sponsors. “Today’s beautifully written liturgy, informed by Islam, Judaism and Christianity, declares unambiguously that we are not scripture burners but, rather, scripture readers.

What exactly are the people who attend one of these interfaith services worshipping? Jesus dressed in a burka over a kippah?

Or are they worshipping each other’s tolerance?