Tuesday, December 14, 2010

"Others"

Over the past seven years I’ve been writing about the similarities among the Abrahamic faiths, as I try to understand what might have been behind the September 11th tragedy. I keep coming back to the idea that we fear what we don’t know, including those “others” whom we don’t know. So I was not at all surprised, and in fact, heartened to find Robert Wright editorializing recently in the New York TIMES about “bridging to others.” (see Wright, Robert, “Islamophobia and Homophobia.” www.nytimes.com, October 27, 2010, Retrieved 10/27/10) The idea here is what I proposed to my own friends years ago: Get to know some of “them.” At that time, I was focused on Muslims, but earlier in my life, I focused getting to know some gay people, and before that, people of other races. (Now, I focus on people with the “other” political persuasion, so I can hear their views, and recognize that they are sincere citizens who hold strong views, and want the best for this nation.)

But I digress. Wright’s editorial message tells us, in part, that we accept different cultural backgrounds or sexual orientations or faith traditions more easily if we know and like individuals who represent those differences. The concept is called “bridging.”

Bridging is easier if we’re already near those “others,” that is, if they are close by. The federal Equal Employment Opportunity program had exactly that effect of me – it put me in day-to-day contact with African American people, a condition which was new to me back then, and through which I came to know just how similar “they” and I are. What an eye-opener for me, what a game-changer.

I’ve also learned in this period of writing that our religious organizations (and organizers) have much in common too. If we look carefully, I think we can find similarities among conservatives, regardless of their professed faith tradition: strict literal acceptance of the written word of scripture; strong value attached to adherence to behavioral norms; and deep attachment to the idea of “I’m right and the ‘others’ are wrong.” Similarly, the liberal adherents of all faiths are more likely to express tolerance for other faith traditions, to accept a variety of life styles, and understand scriptures as allegories and parables.

You can experience the culture of “others” by looking at the world through their eyes. For example, if you’re a Christian, you can go to prayer services at a mosque or a synagogue. If you’re a Muslim, you can study up on the Reformation, and try to learn why the Christian church split then and continues to split now. While you’re at it, try to understand why countries like Ireland have experienced such bitter wars between Roman Catholic and Protestant groups. If you’re a religious liberal, get to know some conservative believers, and try to understand how these people come to their beliefs.

My basic learning is this: If you go out of your way, you get to know some of those who are “others” to you. You give yourself that wonderful gift of new understanding and new friends. Do it now and you can make some new friends with whom you can celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace this season.

PS: If you plan to be in the New York City area this season, you might want to stop by the New York Public Library to see illustrated versions of the scriptures from all the Abrahamic faiths. Edward Rothstein writes, in the October 22, 2010 NEW YORK TIMES, “The sweep of the new exhibition [there] — ‘Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam’ — is stunning.”