The Rev. Arlyn Macdonald
Universal Interfaith Church
Montrose

Posted: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 2:00 am

This is World Interfaith Harmony Week, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite people of all faiths and spiritual paths to think about working with each other in new ways to create a community where each person’s beliefs are respected, and we work together for the common good.
On Feb. 7, speakers from the world’s great spiritual religions and traditions were invited by United Nations General Assembly President H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulazez Al-Nasser to present a program to the General Assembly entitled “Common Ground for the Common Good.” Among the speakers were the Rev. Michael Beckwith from the Agape International Spiritual Center and H.E. Dr. Asha-Rose Megiro, UN Deputy Secretary-General.

The program at the United Nations was one of many all over the world marking the Season for Nonviolence, a three-month period to learn how to better communicate with each other, resolve differences, and be more creative in solving personal, family and community challenges. Montrose is a great community in which to live, but there is still room to grow in the area of interfaith respect. Communities strong in interfaith relations thrive, are more successful, more able to meet the needs of all the people who live and work together, and can establish a solid network of people of all faiths who can make a difference.

“The Golden Rule” is practiced by all religions. It gives us a common ground to work for the common good. From this foundation, we can build an interfaith community of caring, compassionate and forward-looking people to meet the changing future. This does not mean we have to give up our own faith but simply to allow other people to have their own faith, too. We are all people of faith and that is the most important understanding.

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