Hate Statement
The Akron Area Interfaith Council has requested a brief statement on “hate” for its forthcoming Forum on that topic.
An analysis of hate would necessarily include the topic of anger.
I do not hate anyone and certainly do not feel negatively about any faith group. My commitment is to interfaith friendship and dialogue. As an example, working in Islamic countries on long assignments I have enjoyed overwhelmingly warm hospitality and positive interpersonal relations with Muslim friends and colleagues. This was also true while working in Hindu cultures. In those environments I have often found it easier to discus faith issues than in my own country.
As an ecumenical Christian I do confess feeling anger about what is to me the strange and inappropriate behavior of some evangelical or Christian fundamentalists. This is especially true when they force their claim of moral superiority in the public arena.
I do not like it when they pretend to speak for all Christians or people of faith from their narrow point of view. That embarrasses me as a Christian. I really hope that my friends and colleagues of other faiths do not associate me or the congregation to which I belong with the words and actions of those people.
There seems to be a problem with religious exclusivists world-wide. Fortunately, I have not had personal negative encounters with any outside of the Christian faith.
The Akron Area Interfaith Council has requested a brief statement on “hate” for its forthcoming Forum on that topic.
An analysis of hate would necessarily include the topic of anger.
I do not hate anyone and certainly do not feel negatively about any faith group. My commitment is to interfaith friendship and dialogue. As an example, working in Islamic countries on long assignments I have enjoyed overwhelmingly warm hospitality and positive interpersonal relations with Muslim friends and colleagues. This was also true while working in Hindu cultures. In those environments I have often found it easier to discus faith issues than in my own country.
As an ecumenical Christian I do confess feeling anger about what is to me the strange and inappropriate behavior of some evangelical or Christian fundamentalists. This is especially true when they force their claim of moral superiority in the public arena.
I do not like it when they pretend to speak for all Christians or people of faith from their narrow point of view. That embarrasses me as a Christian. I really hope that my friends and colleagues of other faiths do not associate me or the congregation to which I belong with the words and actions of those people.
There seems to be a problem with religious exclusivists world-wide. Fortunately, I have not had personal negative encounters with any outside of the Christian faith.
