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Monday, 13 October 2008
Archives 2006 Opportunities
| Opportunities | | Print | |
| Written by Rev Jan Chase | |
 From time to time one is given a life- altering opportunity. One can choose to listen to the resounding “YES” within and make a change or one can continue going along the path in the same old way. This summer I had such a choice when invited to be part of a panel at the “Congress of World Religions after September 11” in Montreal beginning September 11. Something within me responded “YES” with such passion, I was astounded. I went to Montreal with four others from our Inland Valley Interfaith Group. That experience has changed my life. I met people from all over the world, people from many religions and cultures. Many people broke the stereotypes I held, as they led the consciousness of their religions into a consciousness of pluralism, where religions honor each other without judging one as being better than others, even and especially their own. Yes, there were a few people pushing their brand of religion. Yes, there were a few who chose to hear things others did not hear and respond with anger. Yet, on the whole, it was an opportunity for people from many cultures and religious practices to honor the Golden Thread of Truth that runs through all religions and, coming together, find ways that religions can work together to bring the world into a consciousness of peace and harmony. The three visions I came away with involve everyone––what each of us does makes a tremendous difference in the world. 1) We need to get to know those of other religions as people, so that we can relate to them from a place of love and compassion. 2) We need to learn about religions different from ours to see the Golden Thread of Truth that winds through all, giving us a higher spiritual perspective and dismissing fears brought from misinformation and ignorance. 3) We need to be creative in our approach to interfaith work. A Museum of World Religions has been created in Taiwan for youth to experience many religions of the world in a non-judgmental and interactive way. Imagine if each city of the world had such a place for youth to learn to respect and honor differences. I feel strongly that without learning to honor and respect the differences in our world, we are on a path of deepening violence and destruction. It is up to each of us to know and to teach that differences make us stronger. We are brought into greater awareness of our wholeness when we embrace differences. It is from this place of wholeness and harmony within that we can create a consciousness of wholeness and harmony in the world as it grows from respect and understanding. REV. JAN CHASE is minister of Unity Church of Truth, Pomona. |
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