interfaith

[Guest guest]

Quite interesting emails have been exchanged in connection with

the Interfaith topic we were discussing:

" I am the way and the only way "

 

I enclose some of the emails and my response at the end of these

messages.

 

==============exchange of emails with Edith tipple========

Yes, Jay, but so did Krishna say the same, neither of them meaning that

they,

personally, Krishna or Christ, were the only door. At least this is my

reading

of both the New Testament and the Gita.

Best wishes,

Edith

 

Vivekananda Centre wrote:

 

> Dear Edith

>

> I deliberately did not specify either Islam or Christianity but mentioned

> this phrase. I am not sure of the exact wordings from Jesus but if

> I remember it correctly was it something like... " No one comes to the

father

> but through me. "

>

> thanks for pointing this out

>

> regards

> jay

==================email from Bradley Dean=====

Jay:

 

Good job! While inter-faith understanding and acceptance is so natural for

Hindus, it is very difficult for other faiths, particularly Christianity.

You are going to the heart of the inter-faith challenge/opportunity with

your discussion of John 14:6, " I am the way and the truth and the life . .

.. " However, I see another meaning behind Jesus' words. He wasn't referring

to His human personality or form, i.e., Jesus of Nazareth, per se, but to

His greater reality as an incarnation of God, as the " Son " of the Holy

Trinity - that attribute or aspect of God (as our human mind is able to

grasp) that manifests Itself within creation primarily as Love. Jesus

attempts to explain this in John 14:10. Also, to show Jesus' " open

heartedness " to other faiths, you may want to reference Luke 13:29 and Mark

9:40. Last, I hope you would explain to inter-faith gatherings that Hinduism

is, indeed, a monotheistic religion.

 

God Bless and Good Luck!

Bradley Dean Stephan

 

===============response======

 

After many meetings with other faith representatives,

I have become aware of what serious problems these teachings

suggesting 'a unitary pathway to the divine only via their own

scriptures and prophet' are prevalent with the Abrahemic faiths.

This is one of the main stumbling blocks when it comes to dialogue

between the Abrahamic faiths (let alone dialogue with

Non Abrahemic faiths).

 

There is an inbuilt assumption here that as the " God " being

preached is absolute, and as the messenger of that faith is

established in first hand knowledge of this 'absolute'; whatever

he has taught also has absolute authority -- and is applicable

to all times to all people in all circumstances.

If one were to suggest that this cannot be right - we create

serious theological problems for these faiths.

This is a very serious point. I am taking a gamble when I suggest

that this 'unitary approach' cannot be right. This seriously

stretches my relationship with very sincere devotees from these

other faiths. It is the sincerity of these people that allows me to

carry on making such suggestions.

 

However grand the spiritual personality - he can only preach in

certain context -- a 'relative context' never in an 'absolute context'.

(the word 'context' implies relative). Hence the teachings - however

grand, however universal they may appear are always 'relative'.

Hence when Krishna would imply 'I am the way and the only way'

-- many of us appreciate the relative context of these teachings

and not take them to mean anything more.

For many Hindus - used to pluralistic approaches in divinity,

this is fine but try and convince say an ISKCON devotee that there

can be another way to God-head apart from Krishna and we see

how difficult it is for him to accept this idea!

 

The reaction I am getting from the the Christian interfaith members

has been reasonably positive -- reaction from the Muslim

section can best be described as muted. I am really trading on thin ice --

so far so good : )

 

jay