religion unites...yeah right...

[sky dancer]

I don't see different faiths coming together in some kind of organized way. I do see that different faiths pray, and we sometimes pray for the same things, like world peace, for instance.

I've attended a few services that included prayers for peace from many different traditions. Not one tradition dominated the service. That is the only circumstance, other than silent ecumenical practice, that I can imagine participating in with traditions other than my own, (Buddhist). This particular service was inspired by 9/11.

I wouldn't normally attend a Christian service, because I'm not a Christian. Some people think it's odd that Buddhists pray, because we don't believe in God. They wonder about who or what we're praying to and about.

We have numerous kinds of prayers, aspiration prayers, dedication prayers, refuge prayers, lineage prayers, seven branch prayers, etc etc. Mantra is a form of prayer. Motivation is very important in Buddhist practice. We pray to set the stage for meditation that will be of benefit to all.

 

[waitasec]

I don't see different faiths coming together in some kind of organized way. I do see that different faiths pray, and we sometimes pray for the same things, like world peace, for instance.

I've attended a few services that included prayers for peace from many different traditions. Not one tradition dominated the service. That is the only circumstance, other than silent ecumenical practice, that I can imagine participating in with traditions other than my own, (Buddhist). This particular service was inspired by 9/11.

I wouldn't normally attend a Christian service, because I'm not a Christian. Some people think it's odd that Buddhists pray, because we don't believe in God. They wonder about who or what we're praying to and about.

We have numerous kinds of prayers, aspiration prayers, dedication prayers, refuge prayers, lineage prayers, seven branch prayers, etc etc. Mantra is a form of prayer. Motivation is very important in Buddhist practice. We pray to set the stage for meditation that will be of benefit to all.

knowing ones motivation is the key...

 

[BruceDLimber]

Go ask the Bahai's why they haven't raised the money yet to put a monument to "their" chaplains at Arlington.

You are clearly unaware that although there are indeed Baha'is buried at Arlington (with the Baha'i nine-pointed star on their gravestones), Baha'is have no clergy whatever!

Peace,

Bruce

 

[linwood]

TRUE religion unites!

Anything that doesn't is clearly something else.

Bruce

By that standard there is no "true" religion.

All religious dogma creates "others".
That is one of it`s primary purposes.

 

[Kathryn]

You are clearly unaware that although there are indeed Baha'is buried at Arlington (with the Baha'i nine-pointed star on their gravestones), Baha'is have no clergy whatever!

Peace,

Bruce

You are clearly unaware that there are Baha'i chaplains.

According to the Pentagon, there are 33 Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Baha'i or Hindu chaplains across all branches of the military to serve the less than 1 percent of military members who belong to those faiths.
Aiming to counter trend, UCC seminary will train military chaplains | The Christian Century

 

[averageJOE]

show me where different faiths come together for the sake of faith and not for some other ulterior motive...like a national military cemetery

Well...as a soldier myself, with soldiers in my platoon who are jewish, atheist and christian (and agnostic myself), our faiths came together whenever we went outside the wire. We all had faith that we would watch each others back if bullets started flying. Or is this considered an "alterior motive"?

 

[waitasec]

Well...as a soldier myself, with soldiers in my platoon who are jewish, atheist and christian (and agnostic myself), our faiths came together whenever we went outside the wire. We all had faith that we would watch each others back if bullets started flying. Or is this considered an "alterior motive"?

i think it is...
you would watch out for your comrade in arms regardless of faith...
you had something else in common, not religious faith...maybe it was faith and hope in each other.
i'm only speculating of course. i have never been in that situation.

 

[averageJOE]

i think it is...
you would watch out for your comrade in arms regardless of faith...
you had something else in common, not religious faith...maybe it was faith and hope in each other.
i'm only speculating of course. i have never been in that situation.

So I'm with Kathryn here:

What do you mean by "for the sake of faith?" How would that manifest itself - some sort of joint worship service or what? Please explain.

Where else could different faiths come together? We all live, eat, work, sleep, and in the worst case scenerio, even die together.

 

[waitasec]

So I'm with Kathryn here:

Where else could different faiths come together?

they simply can't...
because of their conflicting doctrine

We all live, eat, work, sleep, and in the worst case scenerio, even die together.

especially not under the umbrella of religious faith...

 

[averageJOE]

they simply can't...
because of their conflicting doctrine

especially not under the umbrella of religious faith...

But we do. All the time. We have no choice.
Are you really talking about some kind of joint worship service?

 

[waitasec]

But we do. All the time. We have no choice.

but of course we do...not as religious people...but once religion walks through the door you can expect a whole different dynamic.

Are you really talking about some kind of joint worship service?

nope. i'm talking about how religion is just another way of causing division like biases, racism and sexism; only this is justified by god...

 

[Kathryn]

Give me a break. Interfaith worship services, charities, community services, etc. are very common. Even in my little town, the MLK Day March is organized by our religious community, which includes Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, etc. and very well attended by members of all those religious affiliations.

 

[BruceDLimber]

By that standard there is no "true" religion.

All religious dogma creates "others."

Only according to your apparently prejudiced viewpoint.

Many of us see no problem with endeavoring to promote unity!

And very much appreciate the true religion that enables this, thankyouverymuch.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[BruceDLimber]

You are clearly unaware that there are Baha'i chaplains.

I've never heard of one!

But even if so, they are NOT clergy of any sort because as I pointed out, we have none!

Indeed, it isn't even clear whether or not such an individual would have that as his or her full-time occpuation (unlikely except perhaps at large basic-training facilities), or whether it would be an additional duty over and above whatever other job that person has.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[waitasec]

Even in my little town, the MLK Day March is organized by our religious community, which includes Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, etc. and very well attended by members of all those religious affiliations.

but that is under the banner of racial equality, not religion?

 

[BruceDLimber]

Even in my little town, the MLK Day March is organized by our religious community, which includes Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, etc. and very well attended by members of all those religious affiliations.

That's very nice if so!

But in Atlanta, the observance had been interfaith, but every other group gradually lost interest until ultimately--and for many years--the MLK celebration was under the joint co-sponsorship of the King Foundation and the Baha'i Faith only!

(Not being near that area, whether or not this is still the case, I have no idea.)

Peace,

Bruce

 

[averageJOE]

but of course we do...not as religious people...but once religion walks through the door you can expect a whole different dynamic.


nope. i'm talking about how religion is just another way of causing division like biases, racism and sexism; only this is justified by god...

What's this "we" stuff your talking about? How many military barracks have you stayed in?

 

[waitasec]

What's this "we" stuff your talking about? How many military barracks have you stayed in?

i apologize...i thought you were referring to people in general...


but i don't think faith is what brought you together...
the fact that you are in the military together did...

 

[Greyn]

Isn't the previous post of the Methodist church opening its doors to Muslims so they have a place to worship an example of different faiths coming together? Other than religious ideas, worship and faith, what other reason would they be doing this?

 

[Kathryn]

I've never heard of one!

But even if so, they are NOT clergy of any sort because as I pointed out, we have none!

Indeed, it isn't even clear whether or not such an individual would have that as his or her full-time occpuation (unlikely except perhaps at large basic-training facilities), or whether it would be an additional duty over and above whatever other job that person has.

Peace,

Bruce

Well, in my post I was talking about CHAPLAINS and then I pointed out that there ARE Baha'i chaplains in the military.

In the military, you either ARE a chaplain or you're NOT. There's no "Here's your MOS and by the way, you also have some additional duties as a chaplain." Chaplains in the military are full time chaplains and they are officers.

One thing you may not realize is that though they are full time chaplains and they come from a particular denomination, they may be required to step in and perform chaplain duties for someone or some situation outside their denomination.

Quakers also don't have clergy either, by the way. Just an interesting side note.