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Religious pluralism
The diversity of faiths is gift from God, Dr. Gene March says
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
Dr. Gene March believes “divine intention” paved the way for a host of religions to flourish.
“I think God intended this,” said the keynote speaker for the Rabbi Samuel Meyer Memorial Lectures, which took place Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.
March is the A.B. Rhodes professor emeritus of Old Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He presented “Being Faithful in a Religiously Plural World” to about 35 clergy and religious leaders during an afternoon lecture. March asked his audience simply to look at nature to find the example. “God likes variety ... look at the number of butterflies,” he said, noting the diversity of God’s creatures. “Religious pluralism is a gift from God.”
March said the range of religions gives believers a wonderful opportunity for growth. “The faithful need to know their own tradition before being able to learn about others.” He noted that people who try to understand another person’s religion usually realize that they don’t know enough about their faith.
“Understanding requires disciplined study and a respectful congregation,” March said. He said this kind of reflection is a challenge.
March said Christians are facing a “new phenomenon” of living in a religiously plural world but it’s nothing new for Jews. He noted that a study on religious pluralism was conducted in 2000 and the percentages have remained the same. In the world, there are 2.1 billion Christians (Catholics are the largest group, and the group includes Protestants, Pentecostals, Evangelicals and Anglicans); 1.3 billion Muslims; 1 billion securalists (who see no reason for religion); 900 million Hindus; 394 million Chinese traditionalists; 366 million Buddhists; 14 million Jews; and 179 million other groups.
March offered a picture of a “global village” population that would be 329 Christians, 216 with no belief, 174 Muslims, 131 Hindu, 61 Buddhists, 34 other groups such as Ba’hai and 3 Jews. “Jews are an important group ... we have much to learn from their minority position,” March said.
He noted that Roman Catholics are the fastest-growing group in North America and the increase is mainly from immigrants. Protestants are more fragmented, he said, and happy to be that way. “More of the Christian tradition is located south of the equator,” he said.
So what is the role of Christians in the world, he asked. “We have to remember that we are the minority in a very pluralistic religious context.” March said Christians’ power resides in persuasian by words and demonstration in lifestyle of faithfulness.
March reiterated the idea that God likes variety ... it’s up to believers to meet people from a variety of traditions. He said there are three approaches: exclusivism (traditional) that believes his way is the only way; inclusivism, this way is the best for me; and pluralism, my way is one way to believe.
“Multiple religious traditions form a rich tapestry ... intended to help understand the depth of God’s graciousness,” he said.
March said theological growth and understanding comes first from having an understanding of one’s own faith and that comes from disciplined study and a respectful congregation. From this point, he said, growth and understanding another faith comes from “an openness to learn from others” along with a commitment and trust in God, patience and forbearance.
“In the practice of faith, we can be inwardly focused on worship, study, prayer and teaching,” he said. Outward focus is about hospitality, sharing faith and accepting and celebrating differences among religions.
“The way God’s spirit has addressed me may not be the same for others,” he said. He noted that his own belief in Jesus Christ is important to him, but it is his belief, and not something he would force on another person.
“All who seek peace with justice participate in God’s agenda,” he continued. “God’s partisanship may embrace more than one solution.”
March acknowledged that “bridging the gap” among religions is quite a challenge. But, it can be accomplished through joint work projects in the community, dialogue groups, sharing traditions in public events and interfaith councils.
“Honoring Our Differences Openly and Candidly” was his topic in a public lecture that evening; about 60 people attended. A dinner took place in between the lectures with special guests Faye Meyer of Liberty, widow of Rabbi Meyer, and Nana Meyer of California, his daughter. Mrs. Meyer, who has been involved in the lectures from the start, is moving to California.