Pluralism Sunday [Excerpts]
On Pluralism Sunday, May 27, 2007, Pentecost, progressive Christian churches around the US [explored and experienced] other religious traditions.
This event [was] sponsored by The Center for Progressive Christianity.
Progressive Christians thank God for the diversity of religions in the world! We don’t claim that our religion is superior to all others. We grow closer to God, grow deeper in compassion, and understand our own tradition better by honoring and exploring the world’s religions.
Many if not most people think that in order to be a Christian, it’s necessary to believe that Christianity is the only valid way to salvation, and that other religions are inferior at best and evil at worst. But Pluralism Sunday spreads good news: there is a way to be Christian without making this prideful claim, which has been the cause of so much inter-religious division and misunderstanding. Pluralism Sunday takes a big step beyond mere “tolerance” of other religions, and affirms that other faiths may be as good for their adherents as our faith is for us.
Acts chapter 2 in the Bible recounts the powerful legend of Pentecost. When Jesus’ disciples gathered in Jerusalem, the “curse of Babel” was reversed, and suddenly people who spoke different languages could understand each other. [On] May 27, progressive churches celebrated the Holy Spirit of harmony and understanding that is possible among followers of different spiritual traditions.
http://www.tcpc.org/news/item.cfm?news_id=79
[TBC: Jesus would have no reserved seating at this event, and very likely would be turned away at the door, in view of his exclusive claims: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me“ (John:14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.).]
