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Posted: April 10th, 2007 at 1:53am By: Rev. Jay Speights
The other day, after playing a round of golf with some buddies, we gathered at a friend's house for a beer as we have done many times before. This particular evening seemed to be the same as the many other times we have gotten together after playing golf. Of course, we began talking about golf, business, politics and — our favorite subject — the women in our lives. It all seemed quite normal and perfunctory. Then all of a sudden I was the focus of the conversation.
You see, I have known these golf buddies of mine for quite some time. They have watched me transition from a career as a political professional to a minister and chaplain. I am really humbled about how they honored and respected my choice to move my life in a different direction. Now, of course, there are the occasional jokes about my motives for becoming a minister that usually involve tax breaks and lonely church ladies. But it's all in fun.
On this particular evening, when I became the focal point of the conversation, they were discussing their plans for Easter weekend. One fellow turned to me and said, "Well, Reverend, I guess you will be busy in church?" After he said this, I paused for a while. It suddenly occurred to me that my buddies (all Christians) never asked me any questions about my theology because our focus is usually golf. And it was clear from the question that there was an assumption, not only by the friend who asked the question but also by all of them, that I was a Christian minister.
I explained to them that at my church, which is interfaith, we would be busy celebrating Passover as well, because we honor both religious celebrations and try to give equal importance to each. In addition, I offered to them that Easter and Passover had common themes that related to escaping from bondage and salvation. I was happy to see that my friends readily accepted this statement, and I thought that the discussion would flow in a different direction at that point. I was wrong.
Another friend wanted to know how my interfaith theology affected my ability to perform my duties as a chaplain, because most of the patients at the local hospital where I am an on-call chaplain more than likely would be Christian. Again, I had to explain that I honor all paths and traditions. And that a chaplain respects and honors the faith traditions of the patient without judgment or bias. This particular friend had some difficulty accepting that I could minister to and be accepted by a devout Christian or Muslim, etc. I can understand how he could feel that way, because like many of us, he sees differences first. This conversation went on for another hour, until we decided it was getting late. So we all parted and agreed to pick up the discussion later.
You are probably wondering why I am sharing this with you, because this was just a seemingly innocent conversation among close friends. To me it was more than that. This conversation with my friends that evening is a classic example of how our seemingly innocent assumptions about the world can alienate others. It is easy for us in America to assume that the world is all Christian, and that everyone celebrates Christian traditions and cultural expressions. Well, that is not the case. So during this sacred season, I would urge you to take a minute and look at your neighbors. Take note of their faith traditions and see what you have in common with them. Again, let's find that which builds community and not divides it.
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Rev. Jay Speights, with an MA in public policy, is an interfaith minister and main U.N. representative for the New Seminary in New York. You can learn more about his work at the United Nations at the New Seminary website. His email address is {email jayspeights@newseminary.org}jayspeights@newseminary.org{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Jay Speights.
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The other day, after playing a round of golf with some buddies, we gathered at a friend's house for a beer as we have done many times before. This particular evening seemed to be the same as the many other times we have gotten together after playing golf. Of course, we began talking about golf, business, politics and — our favorite subject — the women in our lives. It all seemed quite normal and perfunctory. Then all of a sudden I was the focus of the conversation.
You see, I have known these golf buddies of mine for quite some time. They have watched me transition from a career as a political professional to a minister and chaplain. I am really humbled about how they honored and respected my choice to move my life in a different direction. Now, of course, there are the occasional jokes about my motives for becoming a minister that usually involve tax breaks and lonely church ladies. But it's all in fun.
On this particular evening, when I became the focal point of the conversation, they were discussing their plans for Easter weekend. One fellow turned to me and said, "Well, Reverend, I guess you will be busy in church?" After he said this, I paused for a while. It suddenly occurred to me that my buddies (all Christians) never asked me any questions about my theology because our focus is usually golf. And it was clear from the question that there was an assumption, not only by the friend who asked the question but also by all of them, that I was a Christian minister.
I explained to them that at my church, which is interfaith, we would be busy celebrating Passover as well, because we honor both religious celebrations and try to give equal importance to each. In addition, I offered to them that Easter and Passover had common themes that related to escaping from bondage and salvation. I was happy to see that my friends readily accepted this statement, and I thought that the discussion would flow in a different direction at that point. I was wrong.
Another friend wanted to know how my interfaith theology affected my ability to perform my duties as a chaplain, because most of the patients at the local hospital where I am an on-call chaplain more than likely would be Christian. Again, I had to explain that I honor all paths and traditions. And that a chaplain respects and honors the faith traditions of the patient without judgment or bias. This particular friend had some difficulty accepting that I could minister to and be accepted by a devout Christian or Muslim, etc. I can understand how he could feel that way, because like many of us, he sees differences first. This conversation went on for another hour, until we decided it was getting late. So we all parted and agreed to pick up the discussion later.
You are probably wondering why I am sharing this with you, because this was just a seemingly innocent conversation among close friends. To me it was more than that. This conversation with my friends that evening is a classic example of how our seemingly innocent assumptions about the world can alienate others. It is easy for us in America to assume that the world is all Christian, and that everyone celebrates Christian traditions and cultural expressions. Well, that is not the case. So during this sacred season, I would urge you to take a minute and look at your neighbors. Take note of their faith traditions and see what you have in common with them. Again, let's find that which builds community and not divides it.
— — —
Rev. Jay Speights, with an MA in public policy, is an interfaith minister and main U.N. representative for the New Seminary in New York. You can learn more about his work at the United Nations at the New Seminary website. His email address is {email jayspeights@newseminary.org}jayspeights@newseminary.org{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Jay Speights.
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