Militant atheism vs mutual respect among religions
September 16, 2008
Bishop Michael Putney, the Bishop of Townsville, spoke recently at an Iftar dinner jointly hosted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Australian Intercultural Society. He argues that given the dominant secular society that we live in, it is difficult for people of faith to flourish, pass on their beliefs to their children, and support and sustain each other. In order to move beyond tolerance, as religious people we need to have harmonious relationships with people other faiths.
It is a truism now in inter-religious relations that there can be no peace in the world unless there is peace between the World Religions. Unless we religious people have harmonious relationships, and I would argue unless we have real friendship between us and not just tolerance and respect, other forces, political and economic, will be able to use us to further their own causes which bring division and pain to our world.
His speech makes an interesting read … thanks to The Ecumenical and Interfaith Newsblog for the reference.
Dave
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: australia, catholic, christian, interfaith, melbourne, michael putney, muslim.
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1. Samuel Skinner | September 17th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Yes, faith based communities often come into conflict with reality based ones.
2. Ken | September 17th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Sam Fleischaker actually argues the opposite in his article Religion v. Secularism? Let’s Skip This Fight recently posted on the South Jerusalem blog.
He argues that secularism is good for relgion because
1: It helps reduce the tendency of religions to become cults with teachings and ideology more and more divorced from reality;
2: It helps reduce the tendency to define “outsiders” as dangerous, maybe even deserving of death for their “sins.”
3. Samuel Skinner | September 17th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Not really. The countries with established churches have the fewest cults. The US has no established church and swarms with new faiths.
Secularism subjects religion to the free market… don’t think about it too hard- the results are… interesting.
4. Rev. Bruce Holzrichter | September 20th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Hello Dave, I just stopped by once again and read this offer on the blog and it says most of what MUST be said and worked for among us all. It is good to see that you and yours are still plugging away and working hard toward the goals of acceptance of ALL people no matter what their belief system may be.
Be well brothers and sisters and friends “Down Under”
Rev.Bruce Holzrichter The People of Abraham, Christians, Muslims and Jews. U.S.A. http://peopleofabraham.blogspot.com
5. Rebekah Grace | October 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
It seems strange to mark the opposite argument, considering secularism tends to skip over the issue of religious identity. This in itself is a problem as the beliefs formed from ones faith is central to ones identity. A social relationship that neglects this significant component, in a sense, undermines itself.
Religious beliefs are such a huge component in determining how people act, how issues are resolved. To avoid utilizing and addressing them can result in the avoidance of important issues, buring problems as opposed to resolving them.
It’s a very unique age we live in, with this degree of religious diversity, and this capacity to engage in dialogue about it.
Ya Baha’u'l-Abha~!