Religious Pluralism

Wilders promises many things in his book, above all that, "we must speak the truth." Wilders does not fulfill his promises, however, and his disregard for truth is the most astounding.

Regrettably, recent religious decisions in both countries are unfortunate reminders about the hurdles and pitfalls in the implementation of religious reform.

I was dunked at the same baptismal spot in the river Jordan, a symbolic gesture of transformation and following Jesus. Thank God, the Baptist minister agreed to customize the recitation for me.

Teaching about religions is not advocating for them any more than teaching about war advocates for war. And as for the objection that it would violate the separation between church and state, that's not true.

Internal diversity is the norm -- no religious community is homogenous.

Part of the way forward in our lives and world is to know that we carry blessing for one another, whether as individuals, nations or religions. To give and receive blessing changes the very nature of relationship.

Secular prophecies to the contrary, religion is not going away. And despite the hopes of certain nostalgic believers, religion will not regain, at least in the West, the social ascendancy it once enjoyed.

Walking in the footsteps of great Sufi poets Dr. Ahmed expresses "primal emotions that are universal." His poetry touches the heart and soul while reflecting on the past with memories of the partition of India.

When we see all the evil that is done in the name of religion, we naturally want no part of it. But the truth is, the problem isn't with religion per se. The problem is with seeing religion as an end unto itself.

It's typical to think that theology is static and permanent. It's not, though. What's true instead is that theology follows sociology. And slowly but surely we are all becoming members of one big society.

We have come in America today to a very different world, which we might call liberal whateverism. This outlook reacts against sectarian conflict by dramatically discounting the claims of religion.

It is said that God sent different men of wisdom to earth. These men of God came only to bring truth to man. They did not come to establish religions. That was man's work, not God's.

September 11th, 2001 was a wake-up call to be more aware of what occurred outside of my own context -- to listen more, to learn more, and to love more.

Ten years from now, as the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaches, American Muslims could occupy a very different place in the American consciousness.

We allowed neither time, nor space to harden the natural distance between us. We would not choose sides. We would continue simply to be a very public witness and single face of the equal love of the God of Differences for us all.

What people like Tony Perkins don't understand -- or choose to ignore -- is that his ability to practice his religion as he sees fit is a direct result of the hands-off approach that government has taken toward religion for the last 200 plus years

For fasting to be truly universal, its benefits must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims to forge a common humanity with others. Fasting is meant to impart a sense of what it means to be truly human.

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service (RNS) In a post-9/11 bid to better relations with local Muslims, pastor Bob Roberts invited Muslims to hi...

Bread Uncle and I shared an unconventional camaraderie. I am Hindu, while he is Christian. Yet, from the very start, our interactions were marked by deep interfaith understanding.

If I had to create a formula for creating multiracial, multicultural church communities and distill it to five concepts, five skills and five actions it would be as follows.

Freedom is one of the most cherished values of humanity and I am pleased to share its arrangement in American and Islamic space. Both emphasize the freedom of conscience, justice and liberty.

Behind the veil of superficiality and hypocrisy, I always believed in the inherent beauty of God that lies at the essence of all true spiritual paths.

As I reflect on my friendship with my Muslim high school friend and the Catholic spiritual adviser, it is clear to me that the many diverse religions of the world are complimentary to each other and not in competition with each other.

Muslims are our fellow Americans. They are part of the national fabric that holds our country together. They contribute to America in many ways, and deserve the same respect as any of us.