World Religions Day: January 15th

"Man must be a lover of the light, no matter from what form it may appear. He must be a lover of the rose, no matter in what soil it may be growing. He must be a seeker of the truth, no matter from what source it comes. Attachment to the lantern is not loving the light." 

Today is dedicated to the unity and oneness of all world religions. The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators which underlie all religions. Followers of every religion are encouraged to acknowledge the similarities that different faiths have.  Sadly though, because we live in a time  of fear and misunderstanding, questions about religion may seem to some as being antagonistic. It is because of these uncertain times we live in, Interfaith dialogue is extremely important in promoting understanding between cultures and fostering the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions. 

We have lost our way. Religion was never meant to divide or to cause conflict, but instead to unite.  There are many paths to God/Goddess, and it is important for each of us to be on a path and to be heading in the direction that is right for us. Problems arise when we begin to believe that our path is better than the others.  Human unity and true equality depend on our understanding that 'We are one".  We are all striving to reach the same goal...an understanding of this world and our place in it.  

I became an Interfaith minister because I believe there is good in 'all' religions.  I think the following prayer says it all:

In striving to recognize the primacy of Fire and Light, I feel kinship with my Zoroastrian brothers and sisters.

In striving to obey the Ten Commandments, I feel kinship with my Jewish brothers and sisters.

In striving to be kind to neighbor and the needy, I feel kinship with my Christian brothers and sisters.

In striving to be compassionate to creatures great and small, I feel kinship with my Buddhist - Jaina brothers and sisters.

In striving to surrender myself completely to God Almighty, I feel kinship with my Muslim brothers and sisters.

In the recognition that wisdom flows from enlightened masters, I feel kinship with my Sikh brothers and sisters.

In remembering that serving people should be the goal of religion, I feel kinship with my Bahá'i brothers and sisters.

In my respect and reverence for Nature that sustains us, I feel kinship with my Native American brothers and sisters.

In feeling that these and more are all paths to the same Divinity, I feel kinship with my Hindu brothers and sisters.

In my love and laughter, joy and pain, I feel kinship with all my fellow humans.

In my need for nourishment and instinct to live on, I feel kinship with all beings on the planet.

In my spiritual ecstasy with this wondrous world, I feel kinship with the Cosmic Whole. 

Inspired by the Parliament of World Religions Composed by Dr. V. V. Raman: at The Cape of Good Hope, SA: 1999