Last Sunday morning I explored how we perceive God as people who live in a religiously pluralistic world. Are there many lesser gods, idols in effect, which pale before our One True God, or do we acknowledge that there can be only one God, even though our perceptions may vary greatly? I used the Day of Epiphany reading about the Zoroastrian Magi, or Wise Men, who seek the Jewish child Jesus, who is eventually recognized as the Christ. Three religions intersect in a few verses of Matthew's gospel.
Both Zoroastrianism and Judaism were long established religions at the time of Jesus' birth. So were none of their followers worshipping the God we worship? Islam was several centuries in the offing, and it holds Jesus in high esteem. Is Islam's god a pagan deity, or do we worship the same God? I spoke about Larycia Hawkins, the Wheaton College prof who has been fired for wearing the hijab and stating that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.
The reason I'm revisiting this is because of the latest edition of the student-run school paper, the Wheaton Record. Try to get in close on the depiction of Hawkins and her head scarf, or hijab. The words provoke thought, and this is a creative way of pursuing the conversation.
I don't believe our concepts of "God" are the same - heck, within Christianity we have a gazillion varieties of what "God" is, and is like ... I know my idea of who God is, and the nature of God is vastly different from several of my close Christian friends .... and even my own idea of God changes from time to time - sometimes all in the same day! Sometimes I think Bhuddists have it right - don't look to a god, but look to behaving in ways that are respectful and loving toward others .
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