- What is your response to the quotation by Thormas Merton from “Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander”
Religious tolerance is an integral part of life. This is true in a sense that a people’s faith and belief is as important as any other thing in life. Everyone is free to do as one chooses in matters of religion no matter what others think (Beversluis 2011). Until all humanity acknowledges this fact, then there will always be religious combat in all areas of life. It is therefore imperative to stop seeing the self as holy and righteous and in place of that affirm the fact that what other people believe in is as important. Accommodating each other is therefore vital if humanity has to coexist.2. No matter what your religious faith may be, what is your present viewpoint toward our shared task?
For a very long time now, there has been debate on the importance of ecumenism. Respect for all religions is paramount in all aspects as this helps in affirming oneself and others (Swatos & Kivisto 1998). It is paramount that all people regardless of their faith should refrain from looking down upon others religious beliefs and stop viewing them as holier than thou. Humanity should therefore learn to respect all religions because it is through such thoughts that we can learn to live with each other without problems. Throwing stones at ones religion is a very dangerous thing. Simply because as a people we all need someone and that very religion that you criticize maybe the one you need. Then another thing is we must be careful about knocking ones religion and mistreating others because Hebrew13:2 say don't forget to show hospitality to believers you don't know. By doing this some believers have shown hospitality to angels without being aware of it. Taking into account and respecting each other in regard to our faiths should remain central in our beliefs. Accommodating each other does not necessarily mean that we are converted to other faiths, it just points to mutual respect for each other for the common good of humanity through our religious beliefs.
3. Will your present attitude enable you to maximize the enrichment and learning we are hoping to share?
Upholding a positive attitude towards religious, tolerance, and respect for oneself and others will surely help me maximize all that awaits us in our learning. Acknowledging religious liberty and regarding in very high esteem all religious beliefs that contradict my faith will be my goal as this will help me understand what it really means to have faith in what all humanity believes in as long as it does not lead us into temptation. With the command given by Christ, for us “to love God with all our whole heart and soul and also to love our neighbors as we love ourselves,” (Neusner 2009) it is prudent that we do so. A lot of people think our neighbors are the people that stay around us but, it means everyone. I am grateful for this class, I therefore strongly belief that this is definitely going to be an enriching and eye opening experience.
References
Beversluis, J. D. (2011). Sourcebook of World’s Religions: An Interfaith Guide to Religion and Spirituality. Novato: New World Library.
Neusner, J. (2009). World Religions in America. Louisville: Westminster John Knox
Swatos, W. H. & Kivisto, P. (1998). Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. Walnut: Rowman Altamira.
