IS INTERFAITH VIABLE?

[Gem]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

From what I have 'seen', most people are born into a religion.

I was basically born into Christianity, but one day it suddenly fell apart and I could no longer believe the story. I was still spiritually inclined, but no longer had to pray or worship or have faith or hope Jesus would save me or follow anyone or any of that. I was just indoctrinated from a young age by adults who didn't know any better, and that sort of indoctrination is not entirely benign.

What would be the common denominators of interfaith?
The faith in god?
The similarities between the different stories?
Back when I was training under several different aikido teachers one of them told me to really search for what was the same between the styles. He felt that that would be where the "power" of aikido lies.
I am unsure if a similar point of view would work for an interfaith conglomerate stew

[The Cobbler's Apprentice]

Originally Posted by Eelco

What would be the common denominators of interfaith?

Thomas Merton sought it in experience.

Originally Posted by The Cobbler's Apprentice

Thomas Merton sought it in experience.

How would you seek it?
In my current understanding, the largest part of any experience is what we ourselves bring to the experience. Taking the experience to be the common denominator would open up cans and cans of worms don't you think?

[BigJohn]

SpiritualForums mimics Interfaith in so many ways.

Some might doubt that but watch the activities of the new person. Generally, not always, they post on Forums they relate to. As they start looking at some of the other Forums, they have a tendency to start posting on those Forums. As time passes, their belief systems seem to naturally assimilate beliefs from other belief systems.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

As the World of Mankind percolates over all the problems we face, it looks like they can be diminished if we can put aside what we perceive as religious differences and look at all the things we have in common.

Indeed your interest and persistence in the thread is worth saluting . What u say is right . If we want to make world a better place to live , looking at things in common and respecting /loving others while improving ourselves (like removing dogma/superstition, promoting reason in spirituality ,getting practical ideas to balance this life and after life ) wherever possible , building bridges between communities etc will definitely be good steps in that direction (making world a better place to live)

[The Cobbler's Apprentice]

Originally Posted by Eelco

How would you seek it?

The context of Merton's own search was in monastic experience (predominately Christian and Buddhist) which I never mentioned. Sorry. As such, given a commitment to monastic seclusion I suppose one could assume some degree of genuine practice of a Faith, rather than just allegiance to creed/dogma.

[The Cobbler's Apprentice]

The Buddhist writer Stephen Batchelor once observed that according to the fundamental Theravada texts each of the Four Noble Truths had to be acted upon. (Understanding anguish, letting go of its origins, realizing its cessation, and cultivating the path) Yet such "truths" often become simply propositions to be believed/asserted. The first truth becomes: "Life is Suffering", the second: "The Cause of Suffering is Craving" - and so on. Batchelor then states:- At precisely this juncture, Buddhism becomes a religion. A Buddhist is someone who believes these four propositions.......and are thus distinguished from Christians, Muslims, and Hindus, who believe different sets of propositions."

To my mind this distinction exists within all faiths in various forms and ways. It also seems to me that if people of faith acted upon such distinctions, seeking the true heart of their faith, we perhaps could all meet at the centre, instead of arguing on the perimeter of the circle! Well, easier said than done.........

So a Buddhist who understands that the 4 noble truth's have an associated duty stay outside of the realm of religion?

[The Cobbler's Apprentice]

Originally Posted by Eelco

So a Buddhist who understands that the 4 noble truth's have an associated duty stay outside of the realm of religion?

Well, that would depend upon anyone's definition of "Religion". As I see it Stephen Batchelor (who obviously has his definition) is simply pointing out a distinction that in many ways would explain why some apparently produce the "fruits of the spirit" while some do not.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." ( New Testament )