After the death of Muammar Ghaddafi, I wondered how I should be praying. Would Muslims want my Christian prayer? It’s a good question for interfaith dialogue, because many Christian churches hold that the true Christian mission is the evangelization of the world. And likewise, many Muslims have made it known that their religious objective is to convert the world. I pulled my thoughts together for a blog on “The Seeker,” for the Chicago Tribune: is.gd/70hCy2

It’ll be good for the world if we help each other think about our best prayers for each other. I’d love to hear more discussion from others on the subject.

Episode 30 is a conversation with Barbara Zeman and Shirley Paulson about the connection between Mary Magdalene of 2000 years ago and the recent Vatican action regarding the ordination of women.

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It’s an especially poignant topic for Barbara, since she is an ordained Catholic priest herself. She and I share a special appreciation for Mary Magdalene, as we find her an example of Christian leadership. Scholars are fascinated with this woman, because she exemplifies so many things right and wrong in the history of Christianity.

Here was a woman of obvious spiritual maturity who was a leader of the apostles during the time of Jesus and immediately after. But her male detractors succeeded in marginalizing or misconstruing her message and place among Christian thinkers and leaders. But her re-emergence as an important Christian in recent years is causing a great deal of re-thinking among scholars and church leaders.

It is ironic that only two days after the Vatican announced its new policy regarding sex abuse among priests – managing to equate the horror of pedophilia with the ordination of women – Barbara Zeman is giving a homily on the subject of honoring Mary Magdalene. Listen to our discussion on women leaders. We raise the point that there is a critical difference between a servant leader and a servant governed or manipulated by someone else. Both can serve, but the former serves according to her/his own heart. The latter serves due to the manipulation of others. Power and prestige is not the goal, but exercising the authority of one’s own conscience is.

• See Barbara’s poem: She goes before us
• USA today report on Vatican statement on child sex abuse
• Catholic womenpriests press release on Vatican statement
  

Episode #27 of Spirituality and Christianity.com is a discussion about the relationship between Christian Science and New Thought.

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Across the aisle from each other in the Exhibition Hall at the Parliament of the World’s Religion in Melbourne, were the booths (or, “stands”) of Christian Science and Association of Global New Thought. Christians Scientists think of their distinction from New Thought, whereas New Thought representatives welcome their origins in Christian Science.

Although we were all busy running around listening to talks on Buddhism, Islam, peace, pluralism, and a mind-boggling array of topics, we also thought it was important to take time to listen to each other! Indeed, Peggy Price surprised me with the similarities I wasn’t familiar with. The description of her healing practice sounded quite familiar to aspects of my own. Her motives – to love, to heal, to care for humanity – resonate with me. Also her commitment to the goodness of God and God’s whole creation is very close to my heart.

Peggy was easy to talk with, and following our initial conversation, I began to wonder if we could plunge a bit deeper. I went back to the booth and found other people willing to engage in conversation too. We dug into questions about the meaning of spiritualism and medicine. Also the role of Christ Jesus in our faith journeys. We discovered the place where we agreed to our disagreement, but this clarification did not diminish our mutual appreciation for each other’s commonalities.

Christian Science was a participant in the first Parliament, which took place in Chicago in 1893. New Thought wasn’t recognized as a religion at the Parliament in Barcelona five years ago, but the Alliance has grown, highlighting especially their love for youth and for interfaith activities at this year’s Parliament. It was good for us to become better acquainted.

The following websites are rich resources for both New Thought and Christian Science:

• New Thought sacred texts
• New Thought Movement Home Page
• International New Thought Alliance Declaration of Principles (includes all New Thought denominations as well as the agreement for adherents, as amended January, 2000)

• Official Christian Science website with discussion forums
• Daily Lift (two-minute inspirationals)
• TMC Youth (Christian Science activity and discussion for youth and young adults)

I heard the word “spirituality” from so many people at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in so many different contexts, I began to wonder if anybody knows what we all mean by that word. I asked random people how they understand the word.

From a Catholic: “the essence of what my life is about; an expression of my relationship with God”

From a yoga practicing Christian from Latvia: “to know who I am; to see the same in another human being”

From Science of Spirituality: “refers to the Soul and God, which is the only true and permanent part of our life in this world of mind, matter and illusion” Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been following the program cluster called “Media and Religion” at the Parliament of the World’s Religions these past couple of days. Many of the presenters are Muslim, and their concern with the media is obvious. They share many of the lessons they have learned, and these ideas are pertinent to all faiths – particularly to those who battle negative public images. Most, but not all of the following words of advice come from the Muslim community:

• Don’t fight the system; work with reporters, and let them see the value of your message.
• Social media gives more voices to more people, so it is important to let the entire faith community become well informed in the internal issues.
• Take care with what is said in social media, because it is very transparent. Writers cannot hide identities very well, and what is said is permanently locked into cyberspace.
• It is important to read and make space for negative feedback. These are often the best opportunities to clarify the message. Allowing negative comments give the audience trust in authenticity.
• Technology in dialogue is important, because its influence is growing exponentially. But it’s important to remember that even tech-savvy people don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. It’s integrity and authenticity that win the day.
• Using the media to convert others is mostly over. What’s important is communicating the story, the meaning of faith.