Learning from other Faiths

By Michael Hell

The December report gave a factual account of the inter-faith trip to London. My purpose now is to relate what I learned from meeting our hosts which might be useful for us at the United Benefice.

The Baha’i Faith was revealed to Baha’u’llah in the 19th century. He became the latest Messenger of God, revelation being seen as a process rather than a unique event. Baha’ is having a non-dogmatic faith in a single Creator, which expresses itself practically in the aim of bringing about the oneness of humanity. Equal respect is given to all religions in the belief that there is valid spiritual truth in all, even if the expression differs. The Baha’is reminded us that it is not enough to tolerate other religions; we should respect the difference and value the contribution they can make to our understanding of spirituality.

In the tour of the elegant house, we were shown the Board Room, where the governing body of nine is seated at a purpose-made round table: apparently, the change from a rectangular table had an interesting effect on their deliberations. The leaders are elected by ‘one person, one vote’ with no candidates or canvassing. The table is a beautiful expression of the equality of those selected.

At the mosque, we observed that Muslims tend to worship in groups, even informally: our guide informed us that they sought protection in solidarity, as the Devil always finds it easier to snap up the lone sheep. So at evening prayer, latecomers took their place shoulder to shoulder with the last corner. I noticed one group that was starting a new line was firmly ushered into the spaces left in the existing lines.

The Muslims demonstrated the power of worship as a corporate act as against an assembly of individuals worshipping in the same building. Of course, the open floor of the mosque with no seats encourages this practice, a hint, perhaps, of the direction in which we should be thinking in the reordering of our churches.

I would add a reflection of personal Muslim practice that I learned from one of my neighbours when collecting for Christian Aid, to which they give generously. He said that ‘jihad’ was not a crusade against the unbelievers, but a search for personal improvement. The discipline of fasting in Ramadan contributes to this, but fasting is not just a matter of giving something up: it is also important that the money saved is given to an appropriate charitable cause. I try to remember this in the seasons of Advent and Lent.

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