My wife and I have been watching The West Wing on DVD lately. Season 2 ended with the possibility of President Jed Bartlet announcing his intentions to seek re-election in dramatic fashion. It was a cliff-hanger ending leaving us eager to see what happened at the beginning of the next season. When we put Disc 1 of Season 3 in the DVD player, we were surprised to find that the first episode was a standalone response to the events of September 11. Being several years removed from all that occured during that time period, I thought the show offered some very insightful commentary on the state of affairs following the attacks. From a youth ministry perspective, I found the following scene interesting as First Lady Abbey Bartlet and Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lymn address a group of high school students visiting the White House on the origins of the Abrahamic faith, an issue that came to light very quickly following 9/11.
(I know. It seems awkard to end the clip with Josh saying these events happened “about 73 million years ago” and Abbey saying, “Yeah.” Anyway…)
Two weeks ago I was able to attend a luncheon for local religious leaders on the campus of Drury University. The featured guest at the luncheon was Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, an acclaimed professor, author, and lecturer. The ambassador was on campus to present a lecture on interfaith dialogue later that evening, but we were invited engage him with our thoughts and questions prior to the lecture. The ambassador began by sharing some of his concerns about the global state of affairs. He noted that, contrary to popular belief, the tensions between Islam and the West are greater than ever. While it’s natural to assume that this tension be addressed through diplomacy and education, the ambassador suggested that we must be friends to one another if we are to gain any ground in establishing peace. This struck a chord with me.
I once turned down an opportunity to serve at a church that promoted interfaith dialogue as a part of its ministry in the community. I was nearing graduation from seminary, young and bright-eyed, and naive in more ways than I was aware. I was clueless as to what interfaith dialogue looked like, much less what it accomplished. With time and understanding, I maintain my faith in the unique claims of Jesus, but I also have a developing interest in interfaith dialogue. I’ve come to understand that dialogue between members of differing faiths isn’t a debate. It’s not an “I’m right and you’re wrong” scenario. It is instead intended to foster understanding, peace, and friendship. Why on Earth might we as Christians want to develop friendships with Jews and Muslims? I think it’s for the same reason that we need to learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of their biblical interpretation or which presidential candidate they endorse. Jesus told us to love our neighbors, even those we might consider our enemies. Jesus also made a big deal over those he referred to as “peacemakers.” It just seems to me that we have a great deal to learn about this world that God created and loves and seeks to redeem when we hear with open hearts and minds the voices of those that live in it. I once heard Barbara Brown Taylor say, “Truth gets truer as I allow others to participate in it.”
So here’s my question (meaning you’re encouraged to leave comments *cough, cough*): In what ways have you or might you engage your students in interfaith dialogue? How do you help your students engage religious pluralism while understanding the uniqueness of their Christian faith?
When I was growing up at the Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise, Al. “interfaith dialogue” was with the Methodists down the road. I’m glad that we have at least progressed to the point that we know who we need to be talking with.
I think you almost answered the question WITH the question.
By teaching students in our ministries about their faith (biblical doctrine, truth about God, the uniqueness of our faith), we can then let them loose of a world full of false religions. With their own faith secure, they can then learn about others and engage in dialog.
Great post.