Last night at the Global Faith Forum at Northwood Church in Keller, Ed Stetzer proposed 4 “foundational agreements” for how people of different faiths could begin to dialogue and work together. It was one of the most refreshing moments I have ever experienced in a room with people from all different backgrounds. Here are Ed’s four points for your consideration:
1. We should commit to let each religion talk for itself. The old adage “never assume anything” comes into mind here – it tends to make an….(you get the idea). Go to the original source for your information – avoid the media like the plague!
2. We should talk “with” individuals and not “about” faiths. Stay away from generalizing – “all _______ believe.” We teach couples to stay away from extreme statements in their marriages – “you always___” but we continue to allow these extreme statements to become inflammatory comments in public discourse.
3. Understanding someone’s values and beliefs does not mean you accept them! We have got to stop comparing someone’s worst with our best – this is often not even close to true.
4. Grant each person the freedom to make their faith decision on their own.
Can you agree with these?
These seem to be on point toward engaging authentic and progressive conversation from interfaith perspective. Seems to be a common thread of “respect” that needs to be at the top of the agenda toward those in which we are engaging conversation.
As Christ followers, we sometimes forget how incredibly omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent our Father is. We tend to take the conversation to a level at which we think progress needs to be made on behalf of our “flag” and honestly don’t let Jesus work in the equation before we put our foot in our mouth — so to speak.
I think it’s awesome to see our leaders putting this conversation in motion across faith boundaries — only way we will recognize the value in His great commandment on a global level, through individual relationships in our own communities.
Continue to gather experience and look forward to sharing with you soon.