Comments about ‘Imam stresses commonalities of religions’

So long as religion is politicized, it will continue to create political, economic, and ideological contention, division, and warfare. Politicized religion is institutionalized religion. Jesus was openly opposed to institutionalized religion. He was opposed to the formation of what today we call "churches". Jesus was opposed to earthly organizations trying to claim authority over spiritual things.

When Jesus used the word "church" he was not saying a human organization or building, let alone a corporation. He was using the word (ekklesia) to mean "gathering" or "congregation" - a non-political, non-hierarchically-organized group of people. That is all. When Jesus used the word "kingdom", he was referring to a "spiritual reign" (heaven's reign) where people had the law written in their hearts and that charismatic influence brought them together. That is why they are called "charismatic gatherings" (ekklesia) and should NEVER be understood to mean an organization with hierarchical power structures, authority, and the like. Jesus gave his movement NO authority structure. He gave no special "power" to Peter exclusively as the "head" of a "Church" - see Matt.18:18 where he gave the SAME "power" (a FIGURATIVE power) to ALL his followers!

SAlaam

In British schools, pupils are encouraged to focus too much on their similarities rather than their differences. The integrationist approach merely result in Muslims feeling that their culture, language and faith is not respected. The 7/7 bombers and majority of Muslim youths felt marginalised by mainstream culture. The teaching of citizenship needs to recognise and acknowledge difference between cultures. Multiculturalism is even more important and crucial after 9/11 and 7/7. Muslim migrants feel alienated by a focus on shared Britisness, rather than multicultural diversity. Rather than promoting a single British "us" teachers should acknowledge that "us" can be diverse and plural. Children should be encouraged to explore differences in appearance, history and religion. Multiculturalism should be advanced thereby reducing social and educational fear.

Iftikhar,

Your point is well made. We must acknowledge, however, that emphasizing the differences and unique aspects of SOME cultures not only fails to reduce "social and educational fear", but it is actually dangerous because the most unique thing about some cultures and religious beliefs is a form of fascism, totalitarianism, and tyranny in the name of theocracy. Without the "common ground" of a basic shared belief in civil rights, individual liberty, and the inherent value of each human being, "Multiculturalism" would decay into anarchic relativism and chaos. As such, any culture or religious system that ignores or abuses basic civil liberties and individual rights needs to shed that aspect in order to be legitimized in the larger society of humanity. Wouldn't you agree?