So there I was, minding my own business...when....
I was on this Interfaith list, when someone mentioned that they were starting meetings to make prayer shawls in groups, for individuals who might need some extra help. Sounded like an interesting project, where people would stitch intentions and prayers and then give the item to the recipient. So, people started commenting on this, and what a great idea it was, wishing them well, etc. Then came this message:
I will keep you in my daily prayer's that you prayer ministry will be blessed by the Father and though your ministry many will be blessed and come to meet the Lord as there savior.
Now, ignoring the fact that this person's English skills need a lot of work, how would you feel if you were a Wiccan group doing this, and this person came along wishing that all of the people you were helping would be converted to his religion? INTERfaith implies that people of MANY faiths participate. Yet this person either assumed that his religion was the only one represented, or worse, knew that it was a group of many, and just decided to interject his own bulldozer type approach at conversion.
So why can't people respect the chosen belief systems of others? If you can answer that question, you should be the head of an Interfaith group :-)
Comments
People who strictly follow religions that claim exclusivity to God don't often respect the choices of others. For some others, the possibility that there is anything other than Christianity (and perhaps Judaism and Islam) is not even on the radar. Deb Lipp has an interesting entry on this subject. (By the way, I really like your blog. I read it regularly.)
Posted by: Cosette![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.nonfluffy.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 7, 2006 01:40 AM
I am new to this site and I have recently been reviewing my spiritual beliefs. I belive it comes down to this. Every living thing comes from the same Energy, Spirt,God people have given it names so to underdstand. What we have not grasped as a whole is that it is our interpitation of the same point. We need to tolerate what others believe because when it comes right down to it they are the same beliefs just interpreted diferently. So when someone says they will pray for you and ask God to help you or if you summons the cylestrial beings to their help just know we are all just out to help each other in the only way we know how.
Posted by: Wildpup![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.nonfluffy.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 7, 2006 09:06 AM
When someone says this to me, I smile and say thank you. And most times I do let them know I am not Christian. But most of the folks that cannot or will not accpet the faiths of others, is based solely on fear. If they took the time to educate themselves and learn the history, the ways, that it is indeed a legally recognized religion...perhaps their fears would be unfounded...those that cannot sway, or change their minds, you just have to let go.
"Some closed minds should also come with closed mouths"
K.
Posted by: LadyK![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.nonfluffy.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 7, 2006 03:31 PM