Craig, on his blog, asked a question that has an obvious answer but thought it was worthwhile to provide that obvious answer here. He's speaking of words from the Texas state representative, James Talarico, who has some words to say about all faith traditions are an equal pathway to God... to the divine mystery universe..." words to that effect. Craig asked:
If you find the "all faith traditions" are an "equal pathway" to the "divine mystery universe", can you really be considered an expert in Christianity?
I. First of all, you need to read for understanding. For instance, by saying this, do you think that those religious ones (whether naming themselves Christian, Muslim or otherwise) who support slavery, who support forced marriages, who support child abuse or killing of innocents... do you think that Talarico is saying that THOSE human religious traditions are all equally valid and equally the way to Truth?
Can you acknowledge (even without Talarico even having to say it) that, of course, that is NOT what he's saying?
It's a reasonable question with only one reasonable answer, given what YOU know about Talarico. Do you think he's counting the "religion" that kills children or gay folk or that forces marriages and deprives women of rights as one of the "equal pathways..."?
Because the answer is clearly NO. Anyone who can read for understanding can understand that.
Do you understand that? (I asked of Craig, but ask of anyone who visits here, as well.)
II. Okay, given that THAT conclusion is ridiculous and out of hand wrong, what IS Talarico saying? To be 100% sure, you'd have to ask him or read more of what he's said to get a more complete understanding of his philosophies. But I can guarantee that what he is saying is almost certainly something like this:
A. There is only ONE truth (or, if you prefer, set of truths). The ultimate Truth is Love. Love, grace, justice, welcome, acceptance, greeting... you know, LOVE. Love is the One Truth.
B. As Jesus said:
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth...
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...
etc.
3. Again, there is only One Truth, and that Truth is Love. That which many of us would name as God, for God is love, as the texts say. God is love. Love is God. And from love, we reach grace, welcome, justice, kindness, solidarity, the beloved community of God. THAT is the ONE Way or Truth which Talarico is speaking of.
For those of us who read for understanding and don't start out from a presumption of guilt for those who disagree with us, it's pretty obvious.
Can you acknowledge that this is almost certainly what Talarico is speaking about?
Or, even if you can't acknowledge it, can you see it's likely what he's speaking of here?
III. Given that, what is Talarico saying, then, when he suggests he affirms the notion that "all faith traditions" are "equal ways" to God? Is he not saying that ALL True religions (being that which looks out for the poor and marginalized, as St James noted... just another way of saying, True religion is that which loves and embraces...) are just different ways of thinking about love of God, love of this creation, love of humanity, love and care for the poor and marginalized..? I'd be willing to bet you $100 that this is pretty close to his intention here.
And so, true religion being Love, then that is True whether or not you're a Muslim living into love, or a Jewish person living into love, or a pagan living into love, etc. It might look a little different, it might have different songs and different prayers, but Love is Love is Love and ALL that Love are of God, as our holy texts say.
Dear friends, let us love one another,
for love comes from God.
Period.
EVERYONE WHO LOVES has been born of God
and knows God.
~St John
So, with all of that clarification, to answer your question:
If you find the "all faith traditions" are an "equal pathway" to the "divine mystery universe",
can you really be considered an expert in Christianity?
YES. Obviously so. Of course.
And those religions and human traditions that embrace hate and harm? Well, those are not a religion at all, or at least not a true religion, according to St James. And those who DO love and embrace the poor and marginalized, they ARE of God and of the True Religion, according to St James, St John and Jesus Christ, our Savior, who saves by Grace, which is to say, by Love.
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