BISHOPS IN METHODISM

 

THE CHRISTIAN LIVING WITH PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS

 

 

In seeing some of the photos of interreligious work posted on my Facebook account, a close friend commented "please don't compromise”. This is the genuine fear some Christians have, because of certain types of teaching they have heard where the people in the pew were not sure whether they were listening to the Gospel of Christ or preaching of another religion. I am inspired to write this to share my learnings and experiences on interreligious relationships as a Christian.

Thinking about my upbringing, I come from a very strong Christian, Methodist Family where Faith in Christ as one’s personal Lord and Saviour was always upheld. Sharing the love of Jesus with others, both in word and deed is the foundation on which my life and ministry are built. As a boy of 8 years, I remember the friendly relationships that my late father, a Methodist Minister, built with the Monks in the surrounding Buddhist Temples in Richmond Hill Galle. I accompanied him in some of his visits and found myself feeling comfortable walking around in the Buddhist Temples. When my father wanted a cultural blending to one of his Christmas Dramas, it was the monk in the temple who found an oriental music master to assist him. When those monks visited the Richmond Hill Mission house, I had a sense of joy to see them in our home.

When I read the History of Methodism in Sri Lanka, I discover the meaningful relationships our early Missionaries had built with the monks of the Buddhist Temples, especially in Galle. They learnt the Sinhala language through the temple monks. I do admit that there were a few conversions of Buddhist Monks which have roused the wrath of the successive generations of Buddhists too.

During my training at the Theological College of Lanka, Pilimathalawa, I had the privilege of learning Buddhism at the feet of the Chief Buddhist Monk, of the Bulumulla Temple who gave us insights into the teachings of Buddha. Such learnings have enabled me to appreciate the points where Christians and Buddhists could come together for the common good of the wider community.

In turning back these pages, I realize that these have had a very positive impact on the interreligious relationships I build now while holding on to my faith.

All religions are not the same

There is a trend where some say “all religions are the same”, especially when mixed (Religious) marriages take place. I strongly state that this is not a good foundation to work for religious harmony and especially the interreligious work we are called to do. For religious harmony it is very important to understand that we have major differences in the doctrines we believe – i.e.  “Nirvana is the goal of the Buddhist path. The literal meaning of the term is ‘blowing out’ or ‘quenching’ ".  A person who attains the state of Nirvana loses all personal identity, all desire and the body. In the Christian faith, heaven is an actual place. We believe our identities will be retained. In heaven, we will live in resurrected bodies and will be in fellowship with God – as the Psalmist says “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

 

Openness for healthy conversations instead of debates

A piece of wise advice comes to us from the man who first preached to people of other faiths in the Christendom – 1 Peter 3:15, ESV: "but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,". The context of this was a time of persecution and suffering – yet Peter called upon the Christians to speak the reasons for their faith gently and respectfully.  I am thrilled to see Christians wanting to share their faith with non-Christians. But I am appalled at the approach some of them make without any gentleness and respect to the non-Christians. Our over-enthusiasm to share the faith often make the other turn a deaf ear. Still, the reaction of some Christians would be to “call fire from heaven”. Christians are not called to condemn those who are inquisitive about what we believe and why we believe. “Nor are we to be vindictive, vengeful, or insulting to those who disagree. Rather, we should explain our faith without harshness or dismissiveness.”

A significant breakthrough in the pathway of interreligious harmony is the openness to ask and answer questions on matters of each other's faith. This approach is different to the approach taken by both Christian and Buddhist clerics who participated in the famous Panadura Vadaya. They attempted to defeat the faith of the other and declare your own faith as the victor. It created more hostility towards each other which inspires religious conflicts even today.

At the recently (April 8-10^th) concluded inter-religious visit by Buddhist, Muslim and Christian Clergy to the east I learnt a great lesson. Much can be achieved, apart from conferences and seminars, to foster interreligious relationships by bringing the clerics to an informal setting. Then you will see the healthy conversations, openness to ask questions in a non-threatening manner and answering them. During the long-distance return journey from Batticaloa to Colombo the open discussions, we had in the bus enlightened the minds, at times filled with laughter which flavoured the atmosphere of openness to learning from each other.

 

Hold firmly to your faith without offending the other

If a person is keen on developing Interreligious relationships, he must firmly root in his faith. Then only the person must move on with sincerity to learn about the faith of the other. The person will find that there are certain elements in the other faith which is contrary to his faith. It is always important to sit with the person of the other religion, seek clarification on what you do not understand and make clear to him how your faith differs from his faith. It should be done without getting into an argument to determine who is right and who is wrong. I do not encourage anyone to depart from the other in seeing contradictions and differences in the religious beliefs of each other. In such situations, we must learn to be understanding towards the person of the other religion without reacting negatively- i.e. When I participated at a Buddhist religious ceremony in one of our former Church Schools, the Buddhist Monk whom I had not known before came to me with a tray of flowers to be offered at the newly opened Buddha Statue. Without taking the tray into my hands I went forward with him and asked him to offer the flowers while I stood beside him. He did not get offended neither did I compromise on my faith. Since that day the two of us have become great friends. Now when I go to his temple he does not invite me to offer flowers, because he knows my position on the same. However, that has never prevented him from inviting me to various events in his temple.

                     

Don’t Syncretize your faith, but make sure to share your love

The teaching in the Old Testament about relationships with other religions is clear – “don't dabble in them yourself.”  The chosen people were warned not to syncretize their faith with other religions, and thus lose the distinctness of their faith. “The ultimate purpose was so that in their good, faith-filled lives they would spread the good news of God’s love even before the coming of the Messiah”.  However, as recorded in the Old Testament, the Chosen ones made the mistake of staying distinctive only from other religions without being a blessing to other people by sharing the love of God. The chosen ones used their privileged position to turn others away from coming to the God of all nations. At times I wonder whether the modern-day church is repeating the same?  

Learn to acknowledge the common elements

There are elements of other faiths and their teachings that are in accordance with the Bible. These include the call to be compassionate, the principle of reaping what is sown, the principle of being free of greed and helping the poor.  In our interactions with people of other faiths let’s move on to identify and celebrate with them these teachings that which is true and Biblical in those faiths, without engaging in a blanket condemnation of all things ' Non-Christian'.

 

How did Jesus treat people of other faiths?

Jesus did not hold a straightforward discourse to his followers about other religions. However, his interactions with people of other faiths have a message and a challenge. During his 3 year ministry he interacted with Romans, who were from a polytheistic background; with Syrians and Canaanites who worshipped idols like Baal and Ashtoreth; and with Samaritans who worshipped God on Mt. Gerizim and not Jerusalem.

o   Jesus never called evil, the beliefs and practices of the people of other faiths. But very strangely he did call the Pharisees of his religion: "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? Matthew12:34, NIV.

o   In seeing a great humility, modesty, and the strength of faith in a Roman Centurion, Jesus marvelled and said "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Luke 7: 1-10

o   At the healing of 10 leapers, Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" Like 17:17,18. All the ten were cleansed and physically healed. But only the non-Jew heard these words from Jesus which was more than physical healing - “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

What can the modern Church learn from Jesus?

o   Can we be honest and sincere like Jesus in our approach to non-Christians? Honest to the extent of loving people unconditionally even if they remain in the faith they practice without responding to Christ in faith like you and me? Would we still appreciate their humility, modesty and positive attitude to Christ?

o   Can we look for the things that we could appreciate in them and associate ourselves? When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”. The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans) John 4: 7,9. The Samaritan woman was surprised at the openness of Jesus (a Jew) who was willing to ask for a drink of water through which he had great discourse with her

 

 

I conclude this, reminding ourselves that Love is the hallmark of a Christian. Jesus did not call us to make churchmen of all nations but to make disciples of all nations. If someone of another faith is to be inspired from our discipleship with Christ this is what our Lord has instructed us to do – “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” John 13:35 NLT. Showing honour is part of showing love. Christ expects us to treat the clergy or laymen of another faith with respect and honour. It is part of our Christian love. 

 

Rev. Asiri P. Perera

May 17, 2021

Dehiwela