Thursday, 25 June 2009

• Currently A Fine Mess By Kate Voegele Unfair see related

  Some interjections about interfaith relations

  Another post that could get me flamed...but I am willing to take my chances.

  I'm just about done reading The Faith Club, a non-fiction book about three women (a Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim) who meet with each other on a weekly basis to discuss their questions, their misconceptions, and their deepest-held beliefs in order to better understand each other. In theory, this would work out perfectly, despite the fact that some feelings may be hurt and some nerves may be touched in the process. The end would have to justify the means. Towards the middle I was starting to think that this might be my next favorite book because, seeing how my spiritual identity is composed of two faiths, I could really relate to what the authors were saying. But towards the end of the book I was a little bothered by the fact that each woman felt the need to, in a sense, water down some of their strongest beliefs just so the other person wouldn't be offended.

  The Christian one did this the most, by representing what appears to be a very modern, secular take on the Bible and Jesus' teachings. I don't think she should have reprimanded her friends about hell or using scare tactics like that, but there is a difference between expressing your concerns and then trying to change what the Bible actually says. As a Jew first I can't tell you how angry I get when Christians go up to people, point their fingers and say "You're wrong!" But speaking the truth in love? That's a challenge. And that's why I think that, had each woman been absolutely adamant in every aspect of their religious backgrounds, with no fear of offending each other, a book like this would have never gotten written.

  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against interfaith book clubs and discussion groups. Under the right circumstances, with the right mind set, they can be very beneficial. However, Christianity is not the only religion that believes it's "The Way." People of different religions may find better ways to communicate with one another, but ultimately I find it disturbing that some would go as far as altering their entire belief systems just to make other people comfortable.

  I'm no religious scholar or theologian but here's how I see it: if you don't believe in Muhammed, don't be a Muslim. If you don't believe in the Torah, don't be a Jew (although the fact that Judaism is both a religion and a heritage that is passed down through the mother is an entirely different issue altogether). And if you don't believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God who died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, don't be a Christian. I know it's not nearly as simple as I'm making it seem, but really, that's how it should be.

  So in the end, I give this book a B+. It's not a bad read, just a thought-provoking one.

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