Multifaith Is Trending
I didn’t realize at the time that the idea of Muslims and Christians meeting and working together was trending. Later that month, LifeWay Research reported that in the previous 10 years, the number of multifaith gatherings had doubled, from 6.8 percent of churches to 13.9 percent. During that same period, multifaith community service projects nearly tripled, jumping from 7.7 percent to 20.4 percent.
On top of that, people who originally rejected the multifaith interactions were coming around. As previously mentioned, at Northwood we had families leave when we held an Abrahamic Faith Pilgrimage event in January 2010. But less than two years later, at least one family had come back. They said they’d been resentful, at first, of all this talk that to their minds only amounted to “dining with the enemy.” But now they were moved to get involved.
Christians especially are discovering that moving from isolation to conversation doesn’t mean we have to syncretize our faith or compromise what we believe at all. Truth is not relative. My experience is very common: I have relationships with neighbors and others who are not religious or who come from a different denomination, and I’m able to be their friend without changing my beliefs. People are discovering that it’s no different with people who wear a hijab.
Some people fear exposing their children to people of different religions. They’re afraid they might either become attracted to the other faith, or turn away from God because “no one can agree on religion.” That has not been my experience. If anything, it may keep them strong in the faith, especially when they do leave home.
When our children grow up and head off to the university or the workplace, they will meet people from all different walks of life, with different views of God. If you give them that experience in the context of a Christian home and local church while they are still living at home, you’ll have the opportunity to answer their questions and give them a good foundation. My son and daughter have been with me all over the world with people of different religions, and it’s not only strengthened their faith but helped them learn how to relate to others with more love.
My daughter, Jill, has become close friends with many of the refugees who come to the Dallas–Fort Worth area through World Relief. She even encouraged our youth to get involved with these refugees, and that has gone over big for our teens. For Thanksgiving, our family held a brunch at our house, and then we all headed to an apartment complex where we gave away a turkey to some of her refugee friends.
People are rediscovering that Christianity is a world religion, and has proven itself strong enough to stand on its own feet in the face of other religions. It can take the challenge from atheism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, animism, and any other philosophy or religion. The strength of a religion or faith is not what it is when left alone but what it is when it is challenged. Hard times make for strong faith, deep learning, and moving closer to God.
Some are not so concerned about compromising their faith as they are about offending people of another faith. My advice to such people is simple: “Don’t worry, you will! And guess what? They won’t hold it against you. Guess what else? They’ll offend you! But they won’t do it deliberately.” In other words, Christians are discovering it’s not only time but it’s okay to embrace people of other faiths in love. More and more people are showing bold love. They are starting with a neighbor, a work associate, a schoolmate, someone at the gym. They are building relationships.
For these and other reasons, more and more Christians are reaching out to Muslims, Jews, and people of other faiths. It’s a small movement still, but growing, as I discovered on September 18, 2011.