Igneous Quill

This evangelical Christian singer named Carlos when out one day with a crew to do some filming.  They were working on an EPK for his upcoming album.  While Carlos sang, a homeless Rastafarian man named Danny came up and joined in.  It made for what I consider an interestingly unexpected interfaith moment.  What most intrigues me is the lesson passed from the Rastafarian fellow to the evangelical.  Read the original post if you didn't catch it from the video.

Early last month Alexis Vaughan shared how she believes interfaith work does not equal relativism.  Although I really enjoyed what she had to say, I found it ultimately unconvincing.  Based on what she said, interfaith work certainly sounds like relativism to me, and I say this as someone favorable towards interfaith efforts.  So, how can interfaith work really function properly?

First, interfaith endeavors have long been very limited in participation.  Usually only the most liberal of the various religious traditions are represented, and within those traditions a mere fraction of believers get involved.  For interfaith work to really make an impact in the way of peacemaking and bridge-building, more people are needed at the table.  Within the Christian context, evangelicals may be the hardest nuts to crack in this regard.  Though most evangelicals won't want to have anything to do with interfaith efforts, some may be persuaded.  Their presence, voice and labor are needed.

Second, it really should be interfaith work.  Personally, I see absolutely no point in people gathering around, comparing their religious ideas, deciding they really are all the same and then going home.  Songs, poems, speeches and presentations among interfaith participants are also rather pointless, in my view.  Jews and Presbyterians in one Florida city have already given us a good example of how real interfaith work can be carried out. 

I came to my faith as a Christian because I studied multiple religious traditions and philosophies and found the message of Jesus of Nazareth to be the most compelling.  While I will gladly cooperate with people of other faiths in social projects, no one should expect me to back down on any aspect of the faith I have embraced.  Neither would I demand an agreement with my own faith in order to work together for the benefit of humanity.  Yes, I would want to share the reasons for my hope in Christ, but only within the context of a mutually respectful dialogue, and only if we were truly working.

See:
Why Interfaith Work Does Not Equal Relativism (Sojourners)

Florida congregation, synagogue team to help AIDS orphans (Presbyterian News Service)