Corner piece #1: Religion

The freedoms granted to us in this country allow us to worship God in whichever way we see fit. Freedom is the stepping stone for my first corner piece: Religion.

The 11th Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states, "We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, and what they may." (emphasis added) All of the Articles of Faith-except one-begin with the phrase, "We believe". The 11th Article begins with "We claim". This, I believe, is by design. By using the phrase "we claim" the Article suggests it's meaning is indisputable. Claim means "a right or title to something" whereas believe means to "hold an opinion, think or suppose". The privilege for man or woman to choose, themselves, how to worship is one they are entitled to. Who are we to judge right or wrong? Isn't there a higher power for that?

In the book The World's Religions by Huston Smith he says, "What a strange fellowship this is, the God-seekers in every land, lifting their voices in the most disparate ways imaginable to the God of all life. How does it sound from above? Like bedlam, or do the strains blend in strange, ethereal harmony? Does one faith carry the lead or do the parts share in counterpoint and antiphony where not in full-throated chorus? We cannot know. All we can do is try to listen carefully and with full attention to each voice in turn as it addresses the divine."

What a beautiful thought! Close your eyes and think of the prayers

reaching heaven in all their variety. The Jews, Catholics, Christians, Islam's, Buddhist, Hindu's, Taoists, the list could go on and on. Then consider the many different languages these religions are praying or chanting in. I can only imagine it to be sweet music. In my mind, the important thing is that these people are praying, they are practicing their religion. Religion should be a verb and not a noun.

In the last couple of weeks I have been studying some of the Religions of the World. I have

become enlightened, impressed, and humbled. There is so much to be learned from others. Why are many closing themselves off to enlightenment, inspiration, and growth? My eyes have been opened to the similarities between religions, most of us have so much in common. If we would concentrate on these similarities instead of dwelling on the differences, respect would be more prevalent. Imagine the wars and contentions that would be avoided if we just sought to understand one another.

"The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals...Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father. (1978 Statement of the 1st Presidency regarding God's Love for All Mankind)

If all of the men mentioned in the previous statement received light and direction from God,

surely there will be similarities. The source is the same for each of them! I declare myself a Christian and as such I believe in Christ. I know he lived and performed many miracles. I know he loved unconditionally. Therefore, as a true follower of Christ, I too strive to love unconditionally. Please, let's not close our minds so much that we cannot see the good in others. Let us love unconditionally as Christ did.

Christ often taught in parables. I am reminded of a common one he used to teach his disciples in response to the question "Who is my neighbor?". The parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37 and teaches us many things, especially brotherly love.

To me, the most touching part of this parable begins with who these men where. The man who was beaten and left lying on the road to die was a Levite. A Priest passed the man by, then a fellow Levite passed him by-both leaving him to die on the side of the road. A Samaritan stopped and not only bound the man's wounds but took him to an Inn and paid his stay until his full recovery. Historically, Samaritans and Levites did not get along at all. Their relationship was filled with much contention. For this Samaritan to stop and help the dying Levite was an incredible act of love and service.

The past meant nothing to the Samaritan. What he saw was a fellow

citizen, a man half-dead and in need of much help. Shouldn't we view others the same? Christ said, "..love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34) It doesn't matter what religion we are. We should love as Christ did. If this is in fact what Christ taught, why is there so much religious intolerance practiced by those who follow Christ? It isn't right. It isn't Christ's way.

In the Qur'an Surah 60 section 2 verse 7 it reads, "It may be that Allah will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For Allah has power (over all things); And allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful." The footnote to that same verse is as follows, "Apparent religious hatred or enmity or persecution may be due to ignorance or over-zeal in a soul...we should hate evil, but not men as such". Doesn't this sound familiar? For years I thought the Bible specifically taught us to love the sinner and hate the sin. This was actually a direct quote from Mahatma Gandhi. But this is a Christ-like practice, is it not?

I leave you with this, "...we must rid our minds of all preconceptions that could dull our sensitivity or alertness to fresh insights. If we lay aside our preconceptions about these religions, seeing each as forged by people who were struggling to see something that would give help and meaning to their lives' and if we then try without prejudice to see ourselves what they saw--if we do these things, the veil that separates us from them can turn to gauze." (Huston Smith)

XOXO

Photos:

First Methodist, Cathedral of the Rockies-Boise, Idaho

A Cathedral in Egypt

St. John's Cathedral-Boise, Idaho

Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue-Boise, Idaho

Egypt

Capital City Christian-Boise, Idaho

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran- Boise, Idaho

First Baptist-Boise, Idaho

St. Mary's Catholic-Boise, Idaho

Ceiling of a Muslim Mosque, Egypt

St. Michael's Episcopal- Boise, Idaho

"God's Word"