Univeristy Interfaith?

[chronarchy]

I have just returned from my first Univeristy Interfaith Association meeting.

It was a very interesting experience.

Now, for some background, about four years ago, I made the following statement:

"I see interfaith debate as counter-productive to religion."The reasons for that statement are rather varied, but in particular, it was a reaction to

Comments

[sans_mal]

Sounds like it was an educational and "enlightening" experience.

And

It sounds like you are gonna have get a bigger plate - cause I know you keep the one you have full :-)

Will
Love

Ron

[singingwren]

I still don't understand if this is a group for students or a group for faculty and advisers.

[chronarchy]

Neither. It's actually mostly a group of clergy who have no affiliation with the university but work with the surrounding churches, individual student groups, or communities of students within the university.

[singingwren]

Ahh, that would explain my confusion at their website. :)

[ramona66]

so, why aren't you a christian yet?

[nontacitare]

I've found that Interfaith organizations tend to more tolerant than the Pagan community in general. They take seriously the idea of respect for all religions, Christian or not.

"I see interfaith debate as counter-productive to religion."

I agree with this statement. Interfaith debate boils down to "Why my religion is right and yours sucks." I prefer interfaith dialog, when people can share their beliefs without trying to convert or belittle others.

I suspect you'll enjoy working with University Interfaith.

[gothicdruid]

I've found that Interfaith organizations tend to more tolerant than the Pagan community in general. They take seriously the idea of respect for all religions, Christian or not.

Of course, "the Pagan community in general" isn't an interfaith organization, so the comparison as you've worded it here (which I've sort of seen from time-to-time over the years) is specious at best (interfaith orgs being--rather by definition--given to tolerance as a core principle). If you're comparing "Pagan interfaith organizations" to "interfaith organizations in general," then I'd say my own experience has been rather different and leave it at that...

[nontacitare]

Of course, "the Pagan community in general" isn't an interfaith organization, so the comparison as you've worded it here (which I've sort of seen from time-to-time over the years) is specious at bestSorry, I didn't mean to imply that the Pagan community is an interfaith organization. What I've noticed over the years in my involvement with several university interfaith organizations is that a number of people outside those organizations (not just Pagans) assume that interfaith organizations are comprised of Christians trying to proselytize, which has not been my experience. I was trying to re-emphasize Mike's observation that interfaith organizations tend to be made up of accepting, open-minded people who most likely will not discriminate against Pagans or any other religion, and encourage him to follow through, because I think he'd enjoy the experience and find it rewarding