Stories of Discord, Seeds of Hope

Best-selling author and religious commentator Karen Armstrong made two appearances in the Twin Cities April 10th & 11th to share her thoughts on the unity of the three major Western Faith traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and reflections on religious fundamentalism and its' impact on our world today. Her first address was given at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, and on Friday spoke in a forum held at Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.

Ms. Armstrong is a former Catholic nun, the author of 12 books (A History of God, The Battle for God, Buddha, Islam: A Short History and others). She has been recognized by Islamic groups for her work, and has also held retreats for the U.S. Congress. She is regarded by many as perhaps the best current voice of inter-faith relations. Her appearance here was sponsored in part by the organization WomenSpirit based at St. Catherine's College. Her address focused on the issue of religious fundamentalism and the unique challenges it presents in the world today. Introduced by (St. Joans’ own parishioner and Parish Council Chair) Susan Sell, the director of WomenSpirit, Ms. Armstrong was warmly welcomed by some 1100 eager listeners in the warm confines of a beautiful Synagogue.

She made an early observation that not all are happy that the term Fundamentalism, which originates as a Christian term, is foisted on those of other faiths (particularly Islam), but we certainly know that today's news brings us the term regularly. Many times the emotions expressed by Fundamentalists are not adequate representations of the faith traditions they purport to represent. In all of the great traditions there are seeds of hope (lessons of love and compassion). Hoping to better understand fundamentalism, we need to take the stories of discord so prevalent and find ways to cultivate the more positive attributes provided by Faith.

No tradition has a monopoly on truth. We need to get Fundamentalists to be part of this conversation. Ms. Armstrong relayed a story of an appearance a couple years ago as part of a symposium titled "God of 2000". After proceeding smoothly for quite a while, the event was abruptly interrupted by a Christian Fundamentalist who disruptively screeched and preached that non-Christian faiths were heresy and doomed, and that people who promoted a tolerance of faiths such as Islam or Judaism were also damned. The eloquent Ms. Armstrong admitted that along with the other panel members, everyone was not only stunned but also speechless. She lamented an inability to be able to have an exchange with zealous Fundamentalists, but suggested we need to find a way to start that conversation.

Fundamentalism is a clash within civilizations (not between them) in response to the challenge of secular modernity. It has erupted in every major religion at various times, with Islam being among the latest. But what is wrong with this secular modernity? Ms. Armstrong expressed that secular modernity has reaped great benefits for women especially. The pre-modern age could not support the plethora of ideas required in a global society. Secularization is required to foster these ideas, and it even serves to bring 'outsider' groups into the mainstream.

Modernity requires independence of political, social, and religious thought, and innovation in fresh and new ideas. Vibrant democracy requires both of these principles. Fundamentalism, however, is born alongside modernity, in a movement rooted in fear of these changes. Fundamentalism becomes more extreme and literal when under attack by this emerging secularism. As an example, the famous Scopes trial was caused by the rise of Creationism. In the Muslim world it took a mere 300 years to bring about secularism. The Muslim modernity was too sudden and the result of Western imitation rather than innovation. The combination of rapidity and Western influence fostered today’s particularly virulent Islamic Fundamentalism.

Fundamentalists have had victory in requiring religious credentials. Karen Armstrong (a native Brit) observed that this is evident in U.S. presidential elections. Fundamentalism creates a distortion due to the hallmark intolerance and lack of respect for other religious practices, rituals, and shrines.

There is a chance to plant seeds of hope, however if we can learn to interpret the imagery Fundamentalists use; find out what they are trying to tell us ... namely their fears and anxieties. In the United States, we particularly need to learn what we trigger. Much of the world sees us as not particularly religious. Too often we are recognized only for McDonalds, Coke, TV’s Dallas, and questionable Foreign Policy.

When Ms. Armstrong left the convent she wanted nothing to do with God. Brought back to Faith by exploring other traditions, she marveled for example, at seeing Judaism as more than a mere prelude to Christianity. She now describes herself as a “Freelance Monotheist”. She found that religious chauvinism is dangerous, and that a pluralism is required. She also observed that not all religion is good; just as there is bad cooking, bad sex and bad art. We must strive to take religion out of the hands of extremism. Indeed the suicide bombers of September 11 were a parody of martyrdom. The events of that day proved that if you turn your back on the world, “the world will come to us.”

Islam itself is a pluralist religion. Conversion is not encouraged, and The Prophet taught that it was paganism that was most chauvinistic. The unifying story of Abraham teaches that we are all members of the same family, and as taught in Genesis 18 we need to embrace the stranger. Jesus and Paul taught that the greatest atonement is compassion and love, and that this was the single requirement to get into the Kingdom of God. The evenings’ opening benediction perhaps summed it up best in a passage from Rabbi Joshua Heschel in “No Religion Is An Island” the final passage of which reads:

Let those who revere the Eternal

Speak to one another

Leading everyone to acknowledge

The Splendor of God

David Rotert is a communications technician. He, his wife Sue and two boys used to walk to SJA each Sunday. They since moved to St Louis Park, but are now happy to make the drive. David and his family have been attending SJA for over 10 years. You may see him serving host or wine on Sundays, and doing the readings whenever he can help. He is also always game for a good philosophical discussion. David can be reached at dsrotert@worldnet.att.net.

Especially in the U.S. there is defensiveness about traditions. Often in the U.S. patriotism serves as a sort of state religion. We must instead acknowledge the differences within traditions, and even the humor and laughter within them. We are always asked by religions (as with love and art) for “one more thing” and to “go one step further”. However Patriotism, Nationalism, and religious chauvinism can all be fatal. Each can lead to idolatry.

The panel discussion was recorded for use in a future edition of Ms. Tippetts’ radio show: First Person: Speaking of Faith. A highly recommended program, check your local listings for showtimes.