"These two brothers are the best Muslims I know," Imam Jamal Rahman said, waving towards his speaking companions with him up on stage. Everyone in the audience laughed, because he was referring to Rabbi Ted Falcon, who is Jewish; and Pastor Don MacKenzie, who is Christian. Like good Muslims, the Sheikh continued, these men are both humble and compassionate.
This is just one of the many thought-provoking--and humorous--statements made in a presentation given by the "Three Interfaith Amigos" at Barnes and Noble Books in Seattle last Wednesday night. The Three Amigos--Rahmam, Falcon, and MacKenzie--were there to promote their latest book "Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith." Since 9-11, the Three Interfaith Amigos have been traveling around the world in attempts to create interfaith dialogue between those with differing religious beliefs.
Their first book explored those core beliefs Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim faith share in common. Their follow-up book, "Where Religion Has Gone Astray," examines what similar barriers and mistakes these religions may have made, and how to overcome them in order to reach better understanding.
According to the "Three Amigos," the four major problems these religions have are:
1) exclusivity (my way is the only way)
2) inequality of the sexes
3) homophobia
4) violence
The three religious leaders elaborated on these ideas briefly, then took turns reading relevant passages from their respective religions. They said that these troublesome issues were "inconsistent with the core teachings," and "pointed to things in us that need healing." They closed their talk with chants and prayers for peace.
After the presentation, they opened the discussion up to the audience. One woman got up and said she admired their courage in bringing up difficult issues, especially the subject of homophobia. "Yeah, we got a little push back from that one in Walla Walla," Rabbi Ted said in a deadpan voice.
Another woman said that she thought that what they were doing was great, but that they were "preaching to the choir." Why not get the word out to the schools? Rabbi Ted said yes, but we still need to continue the dialogue--"if somebody is still in a body, they are still learning," and could thus learn more and help surmount the divides. He also said they'd been speaking at colleges and grade schools all over the country--and world--including in Israel--and that part of the proceeds of the book would go to support a two week camp of interfaith Palestinian, Israeli, and American children.
One man asked how the three dealt with major differences in the written teachings of each religion. Imam Jamal piped up with a twinkle in his eyes: "have you heard of White-Out?" he said, to much laughter.
Towards the end, someone else stood up and said that he thought all of the interfaith religions were like voices in a choir--"we sing a different part, yet we are all singing the same song together." The audience nodded and clapped in agreement.
And while we may not ever completely resolve the differences between the religions, these three wise men--or in some cases, "wise guys"--will do their best to bring us together.
Now if they could just throw in a Mormon and a Wiccan, things could get REAL interesting.
