Your Opinion: Churches promote harmony

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church for inviting the Rev. Brian McLaren to the City of Jefferson for "Back to Church Sunday."

While I was not able to attend the Sunday morning joint worship service, due to responsibilities at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where I worship, I found his afternoon question and answer session at the Miller Performing Center to be quite inspiring.

McLaren's message was one of bringing people together. When asked about possible wisdom in the Koran, he pointed out that a large percentage of this book of Islamic scripture is about Jesus. He suggested that Christians and Muslims talk to each other about Jesus. They might find that they have more in common than they thought.

When asked about Hindu scripture he told a story. A Hindu gentleman had been asked to address a Christian group. His story from the Hindu Vedas inspired the entire crowd. It was the equivalent of a parable.

Locally we have many groups working to bring people together. Crop Walk involves people of many faiths. They raise money to fight hunger worldwide. The Capital Area Interfaith Alliance brings together people of differing belief systems. The Evening Rotary Club has sponsored interfaith holiday services. The list goes on.

It is too easy for us to harbor hatred and resentment for people who seem to be different than us. It is harder for us to learn to grown beyond.

My congratulations, again, to these churches for putting on this fine event.

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