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FOCUS July 2017 Vol. 5 No: 3

Beyond Interfaith Dialogue, Lal Varghese,

Esq., Dallas - Page 15

Cover Photo: Beyond Interfaith

Dialogue (Source Internet)
A Publication of Diaspora FOCUS

Hostility to Hospitality is the Very Essence

of Spirituality, Dr. Zac Varghese, London - Page 17

Editorial, Beyond Interfaith Dialogue-Page 3

Principles of Interreligious Dialogue,

Acharya Sachidananda Bharathi, Nagpur Page 19

Pluralism, a Necessary Foundation for

Progress, Prof. Dr. Fr. Mathew Chandrankunnel, CMI - Page 6

Islam- an Introduction, Miss. Nikhat Sattar,

Karachi Page 22
Future of Ecumenical Movement, Prof. Dr.
Fr. Kuncherian Pathil, Kottayam - Page 8

Basic Tenets of Hinduism, Dr. Titus

Religious Resources for Social Amity, Mathews, Calgary Page 25
Rev. Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam Page 11
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Editorial
Beyond Interfaith Dialogue
We are pilgrims on a journey, / fellow travellers on and strengthen the forces which are adverse to a
the road; / we are here to help each other, / walk the materialistic philosophy of the universe.
mile and bear the load. New Zealand composer,
Richard Gilliard, wrote the above lines in 1977 as a part of 6. To secure from leading scholars, representing the
his hymn: the Servant Song - Brother, sister, let me serve Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Parsee, Mohammedan,
you. The event described in St. Johns Gospel (13: 2-9) Jewish and other Faiths, and from representatives of the
of Jesus washing the feet of disciples gave him the various Churches of Christendom, full and accurate
inspiration to write this song. It is indeed an ideal place to statements of the spiritual and other effects of the
begin our reflections on interfaith dialogue. The 1893 religions which they hold upon the Literature, Art,
Worlds Parliament of Religions, held on the shore of Lake Commerce, Government, Domestic and Social life of the
Michigan, Chicago, was the beginning of worldwide peoples among whom these Faiths have prevailed.
interest in interfaith dialogue. Since then there has been
many such congresses for bringing people of different 7. To inquire what light each religion has afforded, or may
religions together. afford, to the other religions of the world.

The organisers of the 1893 Congress were careful in 8. To set forth, for permanent record to be published to
avoiding the dominance of one religion over others. the world, an accurate and authoritative account of the
However, the initiative for this congress came mainly from present condition and outlook of religion among the
the Christian community in the United States. There were leading nations of the earth.
significant resenting voices from both the Evangelical and
Conservative Christian leaderships; they thought of it as a
9. To discover, from competent persons, what light
threat to their missionary imperative and spreading the
Religion has to throw on the great problems of the
salvation plan as described in the Gospels. In spite of this
present age, especially the important questions
protest, the Parliament was dominated by English-
connected with Temperance, Labour, Education, Wealth
speaking Christian representatives, who delivered 152 of
and Poverty.
194 papers. Fortunately, most of the churches gradually
moved away from this position. The committee of the
1893 Parliament of Religions formulated the following ten 10. To bring the nations of the earth into a more friendly
objectives and which have become broadly the fellowship, in the hope of securing permanent
framework of all subsequent interfaith congresses over international peace.
the last 100 years or so.

1. To bring together in conference the leading

representatives of the great historic religions of the world.

2. To show to people, in the most impressive way, what

and how many important truths the various religions hold
and teach in common.

3. To promote and deepen the spirit of humanity among

religious people of diverse faiths, through friendly
conference and mutual good understanding, while not
seeking to foster the temper of indifferentism, and not
striving to achieve any formal and outward unity.

4. To set forth, by those most competent to speak, what

are deemed the important distinctive truths held and
taught by each Religion, and by the various chief
branches of Christendom.
Technological revolutions, globalisation, and amazing
5. To indicate the impregnable foundations of Theism, expansion in social media networking have brought faith
and the reasons for faith in Immortality, and thus to unite communities, traditions and culture together to create a
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melting pot of ideas and initiatives all around the world dialogue. Now there is a common understanding that
during the last hundred years. Religious pluralism, multi- there are so many issues in this world about which major
ethnicity and multi-culture encounters have become part religions agree and which requires our combined effort.
of the daily living for most people. The world that we We have come to the conclusion that various religions
know today is shrinking into a global village and it is our have more issues in common than those that divide and
hope that this new neighbourhood may be transformed separate them. There is also a confidence that interfaith
into true brotherhood and sisterhood under the collaboration on human rights, poverty, racial and gender
Fatherhood of one God. Jesus taught us, to pray: Our discrimination, justice and ecological concerns can
Father, which art in heaven. . . . His ministry was open to generate a new and powerful source of social capital that
everyone and He brought healing to both Jews and can be invested for transforming communities in ways
Gentiles. He conferred upon us the honour of children of that working as individual religious communities could
God. In the story of Melchizedeck, King of Salem, in the never be able to achieve.
Old Testament we have a Canaanite priest-king bringing
bread and wine to Abraham. Here we see the beauty and In 1986, when Prince Philip invited five major faiths and
sacredness of the moving from hostility to hospitality. In representatives of the environmental movements to Assisi
the Christian tradition, this gives rise to reflection on the to explore how they could become partners in
priesthood of Christ himself, which is seen as being conservation, they just came up with a slogan: Come,
according to the order of Melchizedeck (Hebrews 6 and proud of what you bring of your own, but humble enough
7). The Apostle Paul was very clear about bringing the to listen. The wealth and land ownership of faith
good news of salvation and kingdom values to everyone. communities are beyond imagination, they are major land
owners in every country of the world. The mission
National and international organisations such as the statement of the International interfaith invest group (3iG)
International Council of Christians and Jews and the at Kathmandu in 2000 was simply that each faith should
parliament of world religion have encouraged a multitude assess its portfolios with due regards to its belief, values,
of interfaith dialogues around the world and has even the environment and human rights so that all life on earth
become an industry in itself. Christian-Jewish, Christian- can benefit. To develop this potential we need to move
Hindu, Christian-Muslim, Christian-Buddhist, and from cosy interfaith conference rooms to the cutting edge
Christian-Sikh dialogues have become one of the new of interfaith collaboration in our communities. It should
styles of theological discussion. Interfaith dialogue is now become a grass root movement involving everyone. In its
an integral part of much of the theological education efforts to establish relationship and dialogue with non-
worldwide and is present in a variety of ways and forms in Christians, the Church has to shed its superiority and be
many of our communities. Now we see increasing sincerely humble to acknowledge its own contributions to
numbers of Temples, Mosques, Gurdwaras and ethnic the rise of religious intolerance across the world.
churches in British Isles. We have seen an increased
emphasis on interfaith dialogue in many countries after Therefore, it is important acknowledge the contribution of
9/11 destruction of the world Trade Centre, Iraq war, the Catholic Church to interfaith dialogue through the
refugee crisis, state-sponsored religious violence and landmark consultations of Vatican II initiated by Good
terrorism in some part of the world, and the emergence of Pope John XXIII and continued under the patronage of
right wing and fundamentalist religious fervour. Even Pope Paul VI; this resulted in the publication of Nostra
governmental agencies are now encouraging and Aetate in 1965. It is considered by many as the most
financing interfaith dialogues to prevent radicalisation and important interfaith document ever written. It opens with
terrorism. the following introduction: In our time, when day by day
mankind is being drawn closer together, the ties between
The first world missionary Conference in 1910 at different peoples are becoming stronger; the Church
Edinburgh, Scotland paved the foundation for the examines more closely her relationships to non- Christian
Ecumenical movement and the formation of the world religions. In her tasks of promoting what men have in
Council of Churches (WCC). Initially, this ecumenical common and what draws them to fellowship.1 There are
movement was interested only in finding unity and so many issues in our faith communities about which we
understanding among different Christian denominations agree and we need to find answers jointly for many
for a common mission. Wilfred Cantwell Smith was one questions such as: What is man? What is the meaning,
the pioneers who argued against narrow ecumenism for the aim of our life? What is moral good? What are death,
straightening the division and doctrinal difficulties of the judgement and retribution after death? What, finally, is
churches. He emphasised that ecumenism is about the that ultimate inexpressible mystery which surpasses our
whole inhabited earth, and it should indeed deal with existence: whence do we come, and where are we
the plurality of the world as such, including its religious going?1
plurality. As a result of this understanding, over the years,
WCC got involved in wider-ecumenism and interfaith

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Unfortunately, interfaith dialogue has become a speciality authentically spiritual. In incredibly forthright language
for experts; the dominant image of dialogue is a group of Jesus denounces their spiritual attitudes (Mt. 23: 1-37).
religious leaders and experts coming together to discuss Spiritual growth leads us away from egoism and a sense
their beliefs. Those who engage in it are often far of personal superiority to selflessness and humility.
removed from the real power bases of which they Spirituality may be understood as an awareness of
represent. As a result, delegates of these dialogues are another level of existence; it is the experience and
not able to take the message back to their own relationship with a power beyond the individual self, a
communities in a meaningful way. They often do not transcendental experience. Then we will realise that we
represent their constituencies and they do not hold are here to help each other, and walk the mile and
constitutional surgeries to hear the voice of the people bear the load. We should strive for a spirituality that
they represent. Then dialogue becomes just meaningless opens our hearts and mind to others rather than separate
exercises and talk for talks sake. Many religions now us from others to develop an I-Thou relationship as
have specially appointed interfaith officers with suggested by Martin Buber. This should be the goal.
impressive job descriptions and these people produce Interfaith dialogue should lead us to interfaith living and
amazing reports. These sorts of behaviours and attitudes worship. This is no longer an option but a necessity for
made Mar Chrysostom of the Mar Thoma Church to say the survival of mankind. Interreligious cooperation has
that ecumenism for many are a holiday in Geneva. come to be seen as fundamental to world peace and
Therefore, dialogue in itself is not enough, it is time to maintaining the ecological balance of the earth.
think beyond dialogue; civility, appreciation and tolerance
are not enough anymore. These are just polite attitudes The revelation of a God of unconditional love must
and postures. It is now time to move to interfaith embrace all nations, ages and religions. Love is not
collaboration, interfaith living and interfaith worship. selective. Eckhart Tolle wrote, Exclusivity is not the love
Therefore, we need to move beyond interfaith dialogue of God, but the love of ego. Therefore, it is difficult to
into interfaith partnership and action. comprehend how God restricts His revelations to
selected few or a chosen nation. In the book of
Professor Harvey Cox in his book, Many Mansions Revelation, St. John speaks of a New Jerusalem without
argues, Dialogue must cease to be a secondary a Temple because God himself will be with His people
reflection about religion and become itself a religious and be their God (Revelation Chapter 21). It is in human
quest. When this happens, he believes dialogue will also relationships, without judging each other we find the
become an occasion for further revelation, a new presence of God. We should begin to see interfaith
disclosure of the divine. He quotes Raimundo Panikkar, dialogue and action as a specific God-given Christian
the Indian mystic, who said, Most dialogue between responsibility as part of Gods mission. This would help
religious persons go astray when the participants begin us to pray the universal prayer: lead us from ignorance to
advocating, comparing, defending, participants truth; from darkness to light and from death to eternity.
conceding like diplomats negotiating a treaty. What
Panikkar stands for is more respect for silence, more References:
shared awe and ecstasy. He says, One neither hides the
differences nor trumpets the similarities but allows both 1. Nostra Aetate: Pope Paul VI, declaration on the relation of the
to be what they are. One waits and listens. The procedure Church to Non-Christian religions, 28 October 1965 t,

2. Thomas Punnapadam, Authentic Spirituality, in Expanses of

is a nonviolent one, reminiscent of Gandhis Ahimsa.
Grace, Published by FOCUS and CSS Books, Tiruvalla, 2017,
p313-317
It is our common understanding that religious traditions
have contributed much to the fragmentation of the world http://www.issuu.com/diasporafocus
at different levels. Religions devoid of essential spirituality http://www.scribd.com/diasporafocus
play a significant role in violence and conflicts in the
world. Hans Kungs dictum is true: there can be no Disclaimer: Diaspora FOCUS is a non-profit organization registered in
peace in the world until there is peace among religions, United States, originally formed in late Nineties in London for the
Diaspora Marthomites. Now it is an independent lay-movement of the
and that there can be no peace among religions until
Diaspora laity of the Syrian Christians; and as such Focus is not an
there is dialogue among them. As Bonhoeffer pleaded official publication of any denominations. It is an ecumenical journal to
for a religion-less Christianity, we need to pray for a focus attention more sharply on issues to help churches and other faith
religion-less spirituality. When religions become communities to examine their own commitment to loving their neighbors
structured and organised, people cease to be free. We and God, justice, and peace Opinions expressed in any article or
statements are of the individuals and are not to be deemed as an
should make a distinction between spirit and spirituality endorsement of the view expressed therein by Diaspora FOCUS.
of religion and the ceremonials, prescriptions, rituals, and Thanks.
rules. Fr. Thomas Punnapadam2 in Expanses of Grace
wrote: Pharisees were apparently very religious people www.facebook.com/groups/mtfocus
but Jesus only condemned them because they were not E-Mail: mtfocusgroup@gmail.com

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Pluralism, a Necessary Foundation for Progress
Prof. Fr. Dr. Mathew Chandrankunnel CMI, Bangalore*

The recent social, political and intellectual upheaval all establish this co-existence of the manifoldness of ideas.
over India induced by the ban issued by the ministry of This appreciation for the co-existence of multitudes of
Environment on the slaughter of animals is an example of ideas is indeed celebrated in the Bhagavat Gita, the
a threat to pluralism. States like Kerala, Tamilnadu, revered book in the Indian culture too. Bhagavan Krishna
Karnataka and Bengal openly revolted against the ban exhorted Arjuna to do Nishkama Karma. Arjuna was
and challenged the ban in courts and some organizations confused in the midst of numerous ideologies and was
establishing beef fests. Arguments and counter pondering which one should be right for him to follow!
arguments against the ban, quoting the scriptures like Krishna did not deny any of them, but advised him to
Vedas how in those times eating meat was a common follow what he thinks the best and saved Arjuna from
practice including revered figures of Hinduism are confusion and paralysis. It was said that in the Indian
pervaded in the communication media. This incident milieu, there were the different religious traditions, the
could be considered as an example of imposing the philosophical ideologies and cultural patterns and in front
ideology of a particular community or an organization of these multiplicity, one was truly confused to recognize
over all other communities and how such a decision which one is right and which one should, ought to follow.
could lead to the breakup of peace and harmony in the In this context of the existence of the multifarious
society and how in the long run such incidents can affect ideologies, Krishna is advising Arjuna symbolically, to
the development and progress of the wider humanity as a make decisions without looking at the consequences.
whole because of the unrest it generated and the trust it This is one of the best interpretations of Bhagavat Gita, I
has violated. Imposing the will of a group of people could have ever read. This co-existence and celebration of the
spread uneasiness and protests in the other groups many is the inner core of Indian culture. Indian culture
stirring up conflicts and fragmentation in the society at always fostered and accepted the multiplicity and never
large. This beef ban incident gives us enough fodder to imposed a steam rolling of one particular ideology. Even
reflect about the necessity of pluralism as a foundation religions like Buddhism and Jainism without Gods are
for growth, harmony and development. celebrated along with the denial of theistic thoughts
proposed by the sage Charvaka. The imposition of a
single ideology, leads to fascism, fundamentalism and
nationalism, which ultimately would lead to conflicts with
other ideologies leading to armed struggle. Thus it can
create, fear, psychosis and open revolt or stiff resistance.

The annals of human history are full of with incidents of

fighting against fascist, fundamentalist and nationalist
forces. The fascist ideology of Nazism is defeated by the
coming together of all humanity. Nazism was imposing its
own racial purity and its will to conquer and rule over the
world, almost behaving like the super-race and superman
expressed in the philosophy of Nietzsche. There are other
dictators who followed the Nazi like ideology and have
been thrown into the dust bin of history though a few are
In the Middle Ages in Europe, it was Christianity that still reigning in some corners of the 21st century with their
imposed its will. The leadership tried to govern the archaic views and sadistic persecution tactics. The
individual through the dictates of the does and donts. emergence of Islamic State and its inhuman imposition of
Renaissance, enlightenment and reformation came out of ideology is again another example of the decadence of
challenging these dictates and it sow the flowering of creative thinking and narrowed vision.
humanity through the emergence of art, architecture,
science, political processes and renewal of the Church The emergence of Islam in the 7th and 8th century gave
itself. Instead of a single and particular ideology, different rise to the collection, translation, transmission and
thoughts and processes were accepted and celebrated. deposit of knowledge inaugurated by the establishment
This appreciation and acceptance of critical reflection on of House of Wisdom by Caliph al-Mansur. The
the culture, paved the way for the human progress in the mathematical treatises of the Indian astronomer and
West. Pluralism, an acceptance of the existence of mathematician Bhaskaracharya, was translated into
multiple ideologies transformed the European culture, Arabic as Al-Jebar by Al-Quarismi which was later
though it took at times armed struggle in order to translated into Latin as Algebra and thus the meritorious

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evolution of this mathematical branch. The Islamic and critical milieu. Instead of the acquisition of power, the
astronomers observed the sky and meticulously noted the common good is to be maintained in the context of
movements of the planets and showed the flows in the pluralism. In the categorical imperative of Kant, the
Aristotelian-Ptolemaic cosmosophy, which led imposition of the individual will can happen as if it is
Copernicus to revamp the geostatic-geocentric system promoted as the best for the common good. However,
with heliocentrism. The acceptance and celebration of this imposition can lead to fascist dictatorships due to the
knowledge from all over the world and its translation and false belief that the leader only knows the truth and
transmission led to the human progress in an therefore everyone else should blindly follow the dictates
unprecedented way. However, the critique of this rational of the leader. Against this attitude of categorical
process by the faith dominated ideologies of Abu Hamid imperative, Hegel proposes the participation in the social
al-Ghazali who considered that falsafa rationality, logic, process. It is in and through the participation in the social
mathematics and physics were incompatible with Islam activity one is becoming moral and ethical. The Kantian
and proposed that it deviated the mind of the believer categorical imperative mentality can thus, lead to a
from God. This ideology was pursued by Ibn Timayyah, messianic complex that this person alone can become
and this puritanical interpretation against acquisition of the savior of the society. One can easily detect such
knowledge and its transmission was further extended by messianic complexes in religious institutions and many
Ibn Wahhab and the Salafi traits that at present led to the other leadership forums.
violent exhibition of persecution of other communities and
ideologies, creating terror and fear among the society at Again another form of stagnation can be found in
large. So when a single window or a narrowed vision is orientating the progress in modeling the future in terms of
propagated and executed it is definitely detrimental to the the past. The bygone days are interpreted as the Golden
peace, harmony and progress of humanity. Such age and the future has to be molded in terms of the past
ideologies need to be checked at the very beginning itself rather than discovering new creative ways of galloping
otherwise it can hamper the existence of even other towards the future. India is often taking refuge in the
communities not even ideologies. golden past where it is assumed that all knowledge were
already deposited and had the most advanced
Almost the same situation would have happened in the technology such as nuclear weapons and aero planes.
West if Galileo did not fight against the fundamentalists of However, these deposits of knowledge have been lost
his times. The literal interpretation of the Bible was steam because all these were destroyed by the occupiers. It is
rolled by the Aristotelians and theologians of the times as again taking a refuge in the golden past and finding
it is given in the book of Joshua of the Bible that Yahweh solace in the lost tradition with the satisfaction that
stopped the sun and the moon. Galileo through his rediscovering the lost traditions would give rise to
telescope discovered the movements of the satellites of progress in quantum leaps. These are all ideological
Jupiter and was certain of the heliocentrism of hemorrhages that can paralyze a culture or a civilization.
Copernicus was the real representation of the universe. Too much of liberalism and its imposition can also lead to
However, he was condemned and he was ready to fight relativism that everybody is right which can also lead to
against it by writing books, articles and speaking to confusion. The present day American culture to some
intellectuals and the leadership. Though lately, his extent led to this belief that led to a backlash and the
ideology was accepted and the literal interpretation of the unexpected triumph of Trump.
Bible paved the way for the spiritual interpretation and he
has been rehabilitated, he had to suffer and fight for truth Pluralism, thus definitely is the foundation for
and science heroically. So the danger of the imposition of development, progress and peace in the society. A
an ideology can definitely hamper the human progress restricted liberalism is needed to be a catalyst in this
and development unless every human is aware about the process of transformation. A critical reflection of the
dire consequences of blindly following an ideology dominant ideologies is very essential in selecting the
without critical reflection. Critical reflection would future course of action. Otherwise, pluralism alone can
challenge the false and narrowed interpretation and that lead only to confusion and perplexity as if like a wagon
is exactly that Lord Buddha endorsed when he said that led by the pull of the horses in different directions. A
even his own ideas were to be chewed and digested. pluralist, liberal and critical attitude can sustain a
civilization through perpetual renewal and transformation.
Pluralism comes along with liberalism. Only in the context Isaiah Berlin, a well-known philosopher of the twentieth
of liberalism, pluralism could be sustained. However, century, had been a dominant force in promoting and
unrestricted pluralism can also be a hamper to progress. propagating the culture of pluralism as an effective
It has to be nurtured in the context of critical reflection. foundation for the future of humanity that can sustain
Unless a critique is made on the dominating ideologies, peace and harmony.
paralysis could be the result as it happened to the
powerful and talented Arjuna. Selecting the dominant *Director, Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC), Whitefield,
ideology could only be pursued in the context of a liberal Bangalore, 560066. E-Mail: chandrankunnel@gmail.com

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FUTURE OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT
Prof. Dr. Kuncherian Pathil*, Kottayam

[In the opinion of this author, the ecumenical movement is The Ecumenical Movement is today officially represented
facing today a deep crisis and the future of the movement by the World Council of Churches (WCC), which is said
cannot be predicted, though some emerging trajectories to be the Flagship of the Ecumenical Movement.
may be identified on the horizon. This author has recently Approach of the Roman Catholic Church to ecumenism
published a book with the same title, Future of the starts from the centre, a centripetal approach, centering
Ecumenical Movement, published by ISPCK, Delhi, in on the concepts like fullness of faith and unity centred
March 2017.] on the Papacy. The approach of the WCC, on the other
hand, is the emphasis on plurality, plurality of Churches
The ecumenical problem is crystalized today into two that continue to exist even from the NT times. The one
entirely different and contrasting approaches to and the only model of the Church never existed. There
ecumenism, one by the Roman Catholic Church and the are today different types of Churches and all these types
other by the World Council of Churches. It is true that of Churches have their own legitimacy. One single type or
with the Second Vatican Council the Catholic Church has pattern of the Church cannot be imposed on all in the
entered into a new era of ecumenism. From polemics, name of unity, however, ancient or sacrosanct it is. In the
triumphalism and condemnation, the Church entered into WCC, its original missionary thrust is consistently present
a new era of dialogue and mutual relationship. However, and there is still a strong conviction that common
the present author, who is a member of the Roman proclamation of the Gospel in the context of today alone
Catholic Church, holds the view that the Catholic Church can unite the Churches. Then historical and doctrinal
has not really made any radical breakthrough in its issues of the past will appear to be in a way obsolete and
traditional approach. The Catholic Church has maintained irrelevant to a great extent. According to WCC, the
and continues to maintain that it alone possesses the success of the present stage of the ecumenical
fullness of the ecclesial reality and the other Churches movement depends on the will and the courage of the
have only some ecclesial elements. For the fullness of Churches to live together, to grow together, and to
the visible Church what is required is fullness of faith, accept each other as belonging to the One Church of
fullness of sacraments and fullness of ministerial Jesus Christ, which is the sign and sacrament of the
structures including the Papal ministry. The other salvation of the whole humankind. The Church is the
Churches lack fullness as they lack some or any one of sacrament of the salvation of the whole world and the
these three visible elements. This is the traditional view of unity of the Church is the sign of the coming unity of
the Catholic Church, which is still maintained. humankind. The unity of the Church proclaims, points to,
and anticipates the final unity of all humankind, which is
This traditional view was first identified and formulated the ultimate goal of the ecumenical movement. Hence the
clearly by the scholastic theologian Robert Bellarmine goal of the ecumenical movement, the visible unity of the
against the attacks of the Protestants on Catholic Churches, shall not be seen as an introverted, ecclesio-
doctrines, teachings and practices during the centric and sectarian concern. According to WCC, the
Reformation. The Council of Trent (1545-63) was the Churches should by all means, and without any fear or
official and formal response to the Protestants. Although scruples, dedicate themselves to the task of the
a response to the Protestants was timely and necessary, restoration of the visible unity, of course, always by
unfortunately it was a too strong reaction, which was very making the sign character of the Church visible and
negative as the Council totally rejected all the views and credible to the world through a common commitment to
teachings of the Reformers without evaluating them in an mission, witness, and service and by keeping in mind the
objective and balanced manner. This Bellarminian ultimate goal of the unity of all humankind.
ecclesiology is the backbone of Catholic tradition as seen
in all the documents and teachings of the Church Both for the Roman Catholic Church and the WCC the
thereafter. Vatican II also in a way repeats this teaching in basic method for reaching unity is by means of doctrinal
Lumen. This Bellarminian ecclesiology is the backbone of consensus on the fundamentals of faith and ecclesial
Catholic tradition as seen in all the documents and practice which is necessary for the mutual recognition of
teachings of the Church thereafter. Gentium Nos.14 16. the churches, intercommunion or mutual sharing of
Those who know the history of Vatican II and its Eucharist and subsequently to a conciliar fellowship with
dynamics will agree that the Council documents do not mutual support, consultation and collaboration for
have a perfect continuity and theological consistency. common witness and mission in the world today. I think
The major defect of this approach is its overemphasis on that the ecumenical movement and its basic method of
the visibility of the Church, on the visible, institutional and doctrinal consensus belong to the period of modernity.
juridical aspect of the Church. The mystery aspect of the Modernity was a radical questioning of the tenets of
Church is found missing in the Bellarminian approach. medieval times and culture, the centre of which was the
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institutional Church, its teachings, traditions and practices. authority, autonomy of church, admission of women to
Rationality, mega/meta-narratives to explain everything ordained ministries, abortion, same sex marriage etc.
under the sun, domination of the powerful and neglect of etc. Even within the Roman Catholic Church some of the
the other, especially the poor, the marginalized, the other issues are very serious and sometimes their internal
cultures and religions have been the traits of modernity. differences are greater than those against other
Human mind mirrors reality or nature. This absolute power denominations. What I wanted to point out is that there is
of human subject and autonomous reason provided great an increasing conflict today between denominational
confidence along with the concept of progress, loyalty vis--vis and national, cultural and ecumenical
development, human dominion over nature, progress in consciousness, which challenges the historical identity of
knowledge and human emancipation. Creation of meta- Christian denominations and of the ecumenical
narratives and mega-narratives and over-arching intellectual movement. This is what is often referred to as
and conceptual systems claimed absolute certainty and Postdenominational Christianity.
universality of truth. For Postmodernity storytelling, myths,
narratives, poetry, etc. are not fictions or secondary, or Many people suggest today that we have to move from
irrational and imaginary. For the postmodern thinkers, the the centre of the institutional church and its narrow
so-called scientific-objective knowledge is also a narrative ecumenical concern of the visible unity of the churches to
and not removed from fiction, story and poetry. Thus the periphery where people live, struggle and search like
postmodern thinkers want to demolish the monopoly of the sheep without the shepherd. There is present today
scientific knowledge as the only true and valid knowledge. immense suffering, despair and agony outside the gates
They establish that there are different kinds and forms of of the churches and their institutional boundaries, where
knowledge, scientific, aesthetic, religious, political, people are struggling for their legitimate human rights,
historical, mythical, theological, and philosophical with their food, clothes and shelter, millions of poor, oppressed,
own different kinds of logic. The contemporary ecumenical orphans, migrants, refugees, dalits and those who are at
movement and the approaches to it either by the Roman the margins. In such situations Christ seems to be
Catholic Church or WCC reflect the shades of earlier present not just within the churches, not at the centre, but
cultural worlds, both of Christendom and Modernity. The at the peripheries identifying with those at the margins.
ecumenical movement seems to be a project of mega- What should be the priority of the ecumenical movement,
narrative and it conceals the ambitions for constructing an searching Christ at the centre within the institutional
overarching system with control from the centre. churches or at the peripheries of the society?

The emerging ecumenical trajectories indicate that in the In the post-colonial and nationalistic cultural context
ecumenical movement we are shifting from institutional numerous indigenous Christian communities are
unity to a prophetic and mystical approach. The emerging and spreading very fast in various parts of Asia,
ecumenical models of visible unity, mutual recognition Africa and South America. The common features of these
among churches, intercommunion and common decision- indigenous churches may be described as follows: They
making bodies seem to be no more appealing to most of are post-denominational in the sense that they do not
the common Christian believers today, who aspire for have perfect continuity with the denominational churches,
authentic Christian spiritual experience and reject all though they maintain some elements of the so-called
forms of extreme legalism and ritualism. Secondly, any mother-churches. They spread rapidly by the work of
exercise of authority in the Churches and the ecumenical lay-people, both men and women who are preachers and
movement in a secular fashion is rejected by the believers healers. Most of these communities have a
today. Thirdly, any attempt for unity by doctrinal congregational set-up without having national or
consensus under one formula or statement will be futile in international denominational structures. Such
our age of pluralism and diversity. After all, matters of communities are nurtured by deep fellowship, prayer and
faith is one of religious experience and peak experience common worship, social commitment, witness and
that point to the category of mystery, which can only be service to the larger society, especially to the
experienced and presented only by means of signs, marginalized.
symbols, stories, poetry and art forms. It calls into
question the character and validity of several current Common Eucharistic celebration or intercommunion has
consensus and convergence documents of the been always one of the main objectives of the ecumenical
ecumenical movement. It demands new approaches and movement. The problem of intercommunion has been
new methods for dialogue and mutual relationship and it discussed since almost a century without any concrete
challenges the relevance of the present approaches of solution. What is the way ahead in this matter for
the ecumenical movement and its objectives. ecumenical movement? I would like to suggest two
points. First of all, approaches to intercommunion and its
Today several traditional Christian denominations are in practical negotiations must be shifted to the bi-lateral
conflict and on the verge of break-up due to internal level. i.e. between the Orthodox and the Catholic,
doctrinal and theological issues such as, question of Catholic and Anglican, Anglican and Lutheran and so on.

9 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

This is the only practical way to arrive at concrete Book Review: EXPANSES OF GRACE
solutions and to reach tangible results. I am aware that in
many of the recent bi-lateral conversations this topic has AN EXPOSURE IN TO THE THEOLOGY AND PHIOSOPHY OF
been taken up and some progress has been made. PHILIPOSE MAR CHRYSOSTOM, VALIA METROPOLITAN
Secondly, practical solutions can be arrived at only on the
local level where the picture and the problems are very This book throws fresh light on MALANKARA MAR THOMA
concrete and therefore solutions can be more practical SYRIAN CHURCH VALIA METROPOLITAN, Most Revd Dr.
and not merely theological, academic and speculative. Philipose Mar Chrysostoms philosophy, vision and theology; it
carves out a fresh path of spirituality and vision for Malankara
Intercommunion at the universal level by a common
Church members and theologians to follow.
statement or declaration by all the churches concerned
seems to be practically an impossible ecumenical task. EDITORS: DR. ZAC VARGHESE, London, LAL
VARGHESE, Esq., Dallas, DR. TITUS MATHEWS, Calgary, Revd.
I have argued here that the ecumenical movement has DR. M. J. JOSEPH, Kottayam.
arrived at a point of stalemate or impasse in our
Postcolonial and Postmodern cultural and religious Publisher: Tiruvalla: Christava Sahithya Samithy and FOCUS,
context. The century long hard work undertaken by the 2017. Price: Rs.300; $15 (outside India)
churches in search of visible unity and the target of
mutual recognition, intercommunion and a conciliar
fellowship among the churches is still elusive and the
future of the movement is clouded with a lot of
ambiguities and uncertainties. Unless the Catholic and
Orthodox Churches change their view that they alone
possess the fullness of the ecclesial reality and that the
Protestant Churches have only some visible elements of
the church, and ready to revise their traditional approach
in the light of the new ecumenical experiences of today
and grow accordingly, the ecumenical movement will not
be able to overcome this impasse. All churches must
move from the center to the peripheries and prophetically
involved in the lives of the poor, oppressed and
marginalized and thus become agents of transformation
of society and instruments of unity among the whole
humankind irrespective of religion, culture, caste and
creed. The target should be not be limited simply to the Expanses of Graces has fifty-three essays written by several
reputed writers; it was published and officially released by the
visible unity of all churches, but the focus must be the
Metropolitan of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Dr.
emergence of the Reign of God, a New Heaven and Joseph Mar Thoma, at the 100 birth centenary celebration th

Earth, which has radical implications for the whole meeting of Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan on
humankind and the whole Cosmos. April, 2017. It is based on the theology of a series of lectures
and sermons that Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan
delivered. This book is a tribute and to honour the unparalleled
legacy and contributions of Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya
Editors Note: *Professor (Dr.) Metropolitan, who celebrates his 100 birthday on April 27, 2017. th

Kuncheria Pathil is a Professor In these essays reputed writers discus different expressions of
Emeritus of Dharmaram Vidya Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitans theology and
Kshetram, Bangalore, who philosophy and offers a new theological pathway to move
forward in a globalised world. This book undoubtedly presents
studied and specialized the
him as one of the most important spiritual leaders and
subject of ecumenism and
philosophers of this century and he presented a cosmic love
taught the subject for more than approach in spirituality to the world.
30 years. He was the President,
Dean of Dharmaram Vidya In this book, writers also tries to explain brilliantly Philipose Mar
Kshetram, and the President of Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitans historical legacy, pastoral
the Indian Theological style, sense of humour and the power of articulation in guiding
Association as well as the Co- the secular Indian nation and the Malankara church towards a
common vision of cosmic love to celebrate life on earth. The
Moderator of the Congress of
book is divided into 8 parts and has an introduction at the
Asian Theologians. He is the author of 15 books and more
beginning of each part about the theme covered in that
than 100 research articles. particular part of the book. Each part of the book luminously
explains the reflections on the themes that are relevant to the
contemporary world philosophy and theology. (Contd. Page 14)
10 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

In Search of Religious Resources for Social Amity (A Christian Response)
Revd. Dr. M. J. Joseph, Kottayam*

Introduction Common threats and united religious response

The resources of the Common Humanity in Christ are It is heartening to know that there are signs of hope and
found as intellectual, spiritual, cultural and social assets, frustration in a globalized world. The Economic
which are neither recognized nor tapped by the Christian Globalization has raised umpteen questions. The gulf
missiologists. They are to be pooled together with a between the rich and the poor is increasing in an alarming
common effort towards the well being of all. As religion is rate. It is said that the Richest Indian, Ambani, is adding
a connecting link, it is always a challenge to make use of Rs.40 lakhs in every minute to his wealth! The new
its spiritual resources in achieving the goal. To live with a soteriology of the Market philosophy deeply rooted in the
sense of universal responsibility implies a shared vision of ambit of the Economic Trinity-IMF, World and WTO
basic spiritual values, which contribute to a firm ethical should not be allowed to negate the concept of life for the
foundation for the future of the world. What matters in a poor. India being an island of prosperity in the sea of
borderless world is to affirm life for all in the name of One poverty (C. T. Kurien) has to make a critical and
God who is the source of life. The primary role of religion responsible response to the economic globalization. As
is to create public space for togetherness. The time has economy is a matter of faith, the evil of fragmentation
come for us to celebrate the spirituality of religion for a and marginalization have to be tackled by all across the
better tomorrow. religious divide. The Church alone will not be able to
handle the crisis situations of today. The evils of
Christian legacy: fragmentation is seen not only in inter-religious sector but
also in intra-religious, inter and intra communities, inter
Let me quote a prayer of the WCC, which provides the and intra families, inter and intra-countries. There is so
Churches to search for a firm theological foundation much intolerance in the world today in the name of
towards social amity in a plural world. religion due to its disorientation. The negation of life in the
form of violence of any sort is a common threat to the
Almighty God as your Son, our Savior was born of a survival of humanity. What had happened in the Coptic
Hebrew Mother, but rejoiced in the faith of a Syrian Church of Egypt on Palm Sunday (2017) is indeed terrible
woman, and of a Roman solider, Welcomed the Greeks and has to be tackled in a spirit of tolerance. There is a
who sought him, and suffered a man from Africa to carry common responsibility across any divide to instill values
his cross, so teach us to regard the members of all races of justice, peace and brotherhood in the minds of the
as fellow heirs of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord. people. The moral responsibility is to speak and act for
truth, beauty and order in public life. The response of the
In the New Humanity of Christ, there is no religious, civil society to various problems is a united attempt to act
cultural or gender divides. M. M. Thomas writes, The with one voice. Doing Gods will is the divine mandate
nature of the koinonia in Christ is that it transcends all for entry to Gods Kingdom. The Christian churches have
human communities defined by nature, culture and even to affirm without any note of discord that the way to the
ideology and religion. One has to remember the truth of new heaven and the New Earth is the same route for all.
the Kingdom of God preached by Jesus that it was not No boundary is to be set. What is required is to see that
addressed to any religion, but to human beings. The nothing unclean shall enter the Kingdom of God. This
boundary of the gospel is not between religions, but should be the only aim of the Churches, which work for
between love and hate, justice and injustice, truth and the establishment of Peace on earth along with others.
falsehood. The Lords Prayer makes it clear that the
Fatherhood of God is intrinsically related to the Speaking and acting for renewal and reconciliation
brotherhood of all people. When we address God as
Father, there is no space to hold that He is only the God The 21st Century is an era of convergence and
of a particular community or religion. It is, therefore, quite comprehension. The time has come for people to speak
legitimate for a re-reading of the Scriptures and traditions more of renewal and reconciliation at the grass roots level
in the light of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. There and to seek for all the available spiritual resources for
is only One Word, Jesus Christ, but there are many unity and social harmony. In such an attempt religious
versions! If Jesus Christ is the New Adam, all people on ethos has to search for its core-factor without any
earth have to affirm their common humanity for the prejudice and pre-supposition. Let me quote a few lines
establishment of divine will on earth. Peace on earth be from a Philippino song composed by Sawa Tome called
on our lips.

11 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

THE LINE: a few ripples for social amity in the field of inter-religious
Wheres the line between love and hate, understanding. Inter-religious relations and dialogue are
Wheres the line between the North and the South meant to help free religion from uncritical confessional
Wheres the line between man and woman solidarities and to present opportunities for religious
Wheres is the line between you and me. people to serve together as channels of grace and agents
The song ends: the line is me, the line is you, of change.
Theres no line, no line anymore, theres no line.
Reconciliation is the restoration of rhythm and
The need of the hour warrants us to say together in a harmony in the world order in the heart of every
spirit of manava mythri (love for humanity) that every one human being. Forgiveness and reconciliation are Gods
of us is part of a continent, a part of the mainland, not agenda of mission as He is primarily concerned with the
one of us an island. healing of human brokenness and the scandal of disunity
in the body of Christ. Weaving communities of hope, as
The secular spirituality of the globalized world also has to the theme of ACISCA declares, is the divine mandate for
be viewed critically and creatively in a united voice. The all people on earth. The book under the title Pilgrims on
so called-Tina syndrome and the philosophy of the the Seashore of Endless Worlds by Albert Mabiaprambil
homogenization of taste of the Market Economy are red cmi is a spiritual protest against dividing people in the
signals. What is needed today as St. Paul puts it is to name of religion with a view to dismantling the walls of
test everything and hold fast to what is good. So also separation. As S. J. Samartha observes, In the past
Buddha once said. The teaching of Krishna in the Gita energies are spent in strengthening and guarding the
also takes us to the same direction. In such a situation, fence, rather than deepening wells and tending the fruit
any attempt to pool all the God-given resources for the trees. In all interfaith discussions, there is a mutual
establishment of Peace on Earth is a bold attempt. The acceptance of the reversal motif in establishing authentic
theme of the 9th assembly of the WCC, God in your relationship. The bricks once used for making walls are
Grace, transform the world is indeed an interfaith prayer now being used for making bridges.
urging people of all nations to live in humility and
concern. So also the theme of the 10th assembly of the The recent experiment towards a mutual agreement on
WCC in 2013(God of life, lead us to justice and peace). conversion between Christians and Muslims in Norway
The Youth and the theological educators of today have to (Aug 22, 2007) is first of its kind in the world towards
do a lot for a better tomorrow. The dream is not what social harmony. The statement says, By issuing this
you see in sleep. Dream is the thing which does not let declaration we hope to contribute to the international
you sleep (A. P. J. Abdulkalam). process on this important matter. The visit of the Saudi
King to Vatican and his audience with the Pope Benedict
Bold interfaith initiatives XVI on November 6, 2007 is also a milestone in interfaith
relationship. The informal interfaith dialogue between
There are signs of bold interfaith initiatives for building Hindus and Islamic scholars on The Oneness of God,
up bridges of peace and reconciliation. There is no future initiated by The Art of Living Foundation in Bangalore
for any one without forgiveness. The conversion debate in comes out with the following public statement. A
India (Ghar Wapasi) and elsewhere has to be viewed in Common Hindu believes that everything is God. But
the light of human rights issues. The freedom of Muslims believe that everything is Gods. Solve the
conscience is to be asserted for all. Hans Uucko of the apostrophe s and we will be united (said Dr. Zakir Naik,
WCC is of the opinion that the problem of conversion is founder, Isalamic Research Foundation), The message
a matter of arrogance. To induce someone to goes on to state, Let all human beings take all that is
conversion is to proselytize. What is required is not common; let us not try to change the other. Where there
Matham mattam, but manam mattam(Malayalam are differences, let us shake hands. Then, there will be
rendering-Not change of religion but change of mind). harmony. Love should be supreme (Sri Sir Ravi Shankar).
While delivering the Sixth (2007) S. J. Samartha Memorial The initiative carries a message for the present times as it
Lecture organized by the Bangalore Initiative for Religious is quite evident in the recent communiqu issued by
Dialogue on Right to convert and the Indian WCC-Muslim Council of Elders in Egypt (April-2017). The
Constitution, Padmabooshan Justice K. T. Thomas statement stressed the importance of valuing diversity,
commented with a sarcastic note, The Christians appear assuring equal rights, and of being able to build mutual
to believe that they can afford to ignore or disobey the relationships with others. In a special volume published
rest of the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ by the Mangalam News paper in Kottayam dedicated to
relating to social justice, but they should implicitly follow Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan on his 100th birthday,
the mandate of conversion because it would result there are several write- ups and photographs of
increase in the strength of Christian population. The Thirumeni meeting personalities like Matha Amirthamai,
BIRD is an indigenous forum, which had already created BJP Leaders, Cinema stars, Christian and Hindu religious

12 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

leaders as a mark of his interfaith relationships rooted in approach in religion. He says, The Sunlight is one and
love. the same wherever it falls but only bright surfaces like
water, mirrors and polished metals can reflect it. So is the
There are several such interfaith grass roots initiatives in divine light. It falls equally and impartially on all hearts,
different parts of the world. The WCC /CCA units for but only the pure and clean hearts of the good and holy
interfaith dialogue are very keen to open new vistas in can reflect it. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said,
human relationships The United Religions Initiative in Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
California, USA, is also deeply involved in building global The borders of the Kingdom of God are wide open to all
interfaith cooperation. The purpose of URI is to promote who do the will of God.
enduring daily interfaith cooperation to end religiously
motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, One and Many:
justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings The
Interfaith Seminars and Consultations which are being The chord that connects the one and the many is quite
held at ECC, Bangalore carry a message of wider visible before us. Let us examine a few examples. The
ecumenism in thinking and life style with a universal sea that surrounds the earth is the abode of diverse life.
challenge. The Kottarakara Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma But the taste of the seawater is the same. The humans in
Dialogue Center (Kerala) is keenly interested in organizing the street speak hundreds of languages, but they all
interfaith conversations based on the Holy books of understand the same language of love. The worshipping
different religions. This is a new field of investigation with places are made in diverse ways, yet prayers reach to the
mutual trust. To quote, Methodologically, the Intertextual same place. The rainbow is made of several colors, but
study of the Holy Books is the most contemporary form they reflect only one colour. The musical notes of an
of the study of Holy Scriptures. The statement-different orchestra are different, but its beauty comes out of its
Holy Scriptures are components in a continuum with plurality. Needless to say, that the Christian
close links of intertextuality-is the fundamental theoretical understanding of the Trinity Three in One and One in
and methodological proposition of the intertextual study Three is a celebration of love in relationship.
of Holy Books (One Word, Many versions. A Re-reading
of the Holy Books, Ed. Ruwan and Abraham Karickam, We should never make an attempt to diminish the very
2007, Page 7). idea of plurality. . How to hold the different strands
together under the banner of love and truth is a matter of
Plurality is integral to Reality: concern. Let us listen to the inner call to move from the
periphery to the centre. A poem by Pu Pongling is worth
Swami Agnivesh, delivering the 14th M. A. Thomas recalling. The gooses legs are too short while the cranes
Memorial Lecture at ECC Bangalore (2007) said, What are too long still, to lengthen the gooses legs or to cut
we need is not a uniform, and regimented world but a short the cranes legs could only be the act of a villain or
united world, a global community that is spiritually strong of a lunatic. People are called upon to search for the
enough to admit and transcend differences and turn them ultimate and the real. Jalalluddin Rumi, a celebrated
into means of enrichment rather than items of offence and mystic of Islam wrote; The lamps are different, but light
mutual alienation. For this power of love is to be set as is the same. If you keep looking at the lamps only, you are
the goal. Agnivesh has a point when he said about the lost. There arises the number and plurality. Fix your gaze
evolutionary process of the institutionalization of religion. upon the light. This is the need of the hour.
To quote, As a religious tradition gets increasingly
institutionalized, the priestly begins to dominate and Search for the buckle that binds:
eventually outlaw the prophetic elements in its outlook
and culture. The priest, especially when he rejects the It is indeed great to get rooted in ones religious and
prophetic breadth of vision, tends to be a fierce cultural traditions. But we need to branch out like a tree.
proponent and custodian of the interests of the religious The spirituality of trees reminds us that humans and other
establishment with which his own class interests are living beings on this planet belong to the web of life. Just
deemed identical. as the branches of a tree cross its boundaries, so also we
need to spread our wings of love and care for those who
There are different ways to perceive religious pluralism in are outside. The spirituality of religion is the need of the
the contemporary society. V. F. Vineeth (CMI) who has contemporary society. A movement from religiosity to
contributed much too interfaith dialogue writes, spirituality in the end is our common pursuit. The three
Religious pluralism asks us to approach other religions major religions of the world Judaism, Christianity and
with deep respect in understanding the mysterious way Islam has a common parentage through Abraham this
God guides his people all over the world. There are provides a platform for mutual appreciation and
several Hindu Scholars like Sri Ramakrishna Parama attraction. Islam being a religion of peace and harmony,
hamsa who have accepted and propagated a pluralistic equality and justice have much to contribute to human
well being in the name of God. The 5 pillars of Islam are
13 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

indeed ways to strengthen ones relationship with God. *Revd. Dr. M. J. Joseph is the
Hinduism and Jainism speak of non-violence as the former professor and principal
highest human virtue. Buddhism speaks of compassion of the Mar Thoma Theological
and peace. The glory of love and service is at the heart of Seminary, Kottayam and also
Christian faith. In all the religions of the world, the ethical the former Director of the
note makes it spiritual as Rabindranath puts it; the divine Ecumenical Christian Centre,
call is to translate love into acts of service. This should Bangalore. He was a member of
happen at the grass roots well. The spirituality of the the Faith and Order
secular realms also aims at this goal. The inter-faith Commission of the World
conversation should put its accent on life rather than Council of Churches. Currently
doctrine. Creed, code and cult are meant to protect the he is the convener of the
inherent power of love, which is the principle of cohesion Ecological Commission of the Mar Thoma Church.

Living in a global village, we interact with each other .In Book Review: Expanses of Grace
pedagogy of encounter, our identities are meant to (Contd. From Page 10)
assume larger identities. In a life of dialogical existence
(not co-existence), and we need to uphold mutual Part I is an appreciation and compliment to Philipose Mar
appreciation. The message of St. Paul in Rom.15.7 Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan, and his involvement with the
requires the churches to remain in frankness and FOCUS movement, which is a lay-centred ecumenical
openness. Accept/welcome one another as God has movement that stands for Christian understanding and
accepted us in Christ. In 1 Peter 3.15-16, St. Peter asks solidarity. Part II has six articles on various thoughts on the
Biblical idea of the kingdom of God and how can it serve as a
the Christians to give an account of their hope in
catalyst to transform Gods creation. Part III is about radical
gentleness and reverence (Other renderings-gentleness Christianity and has eleven articles covering many thoughts and
and respect, courtesy and respect). The cultural slogans concerns including Church for the people rather than the
of India, Loka samastha Sukino Bhavantu (Let the whole church of the people, Church without walls. In part IV with
world be happy and prosperous), the concept of five articles, the book is addressing some of the issues relating
Vasudaivakudumbakam (The whole world is one family) to gospel and culture. Part V covers Human Right concerns.
are indeed spiritual bonds, which tie people of all nations Part VI covers gender equality issues. Part VII discusses
and races. The Rig Vedic slogan, Let noble thoughts postmodernity and its challenges to Christianity. Final Part, VIII,
come to us from all quarters has much in common with deals with multiple issues ranging from Christianity, authentic
the vision of Isaiah in 19.23.So also Rev.21.19- spirituality, Eucharistic spirituality, importance of the liturgical
life, the need for a lay-centred church, legacy of apostolic faith,
27.Mahatma Gandhis words of wisdom, I have nothing
challenges of the Diaspora Mar Thoma (St. Thomas) Christians,
new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as and contemporary philosophy and theology.
old as the hills are mission mandates for a social vision.
Peace building, peace making and peacekeeping are the
Through these writings, this book opens up a new room for
noble tasks before the people of good- will. For this, one
historical and theological vistas of research and discussion.
has to pursue the things that make for peace as St. Readers can travel on a parallel track, capturing various frames
Paul writes (Rom.14.19). of the Malankara church philosophy, theology and liturgical
tradition clearly and well focused, as if through the lens of a
In the post-modern period of today, secular spirituality movie camera, without neglecting any of its historical,
assumes religious tones. After the Nuclear holocaust in theological, rational authenticity and research scope.
1945, a school was built in Nagasaki. At the time of its
inauguration, the children of the school sang a song What we experience every day as the life force is the grace from
affirming their commitment to the basic pillars of religious God. Such considerations give these articles treatment of the
faith for the survival of the future humanity. The English different aspects of life in a world of rapid change guided by
translation of the text is quoted below: Gods grace, verve and vitality that are concrete and existential.
Readers of this book will find a rich and subtle extension of
Let us build the northern side with love to block the Chrysostom Thirumenis theological, philosophical and logical
wind of Fate articulations because this work is an edited work from various
Let us build the southern side with patience to destroy scholars, who made bold use of key insights from
hatred contemporary, ecclesiology, feminist and ecological theologies,
Let us build the eastern side with daily rising of the ray post-modern and critical approaches and from charismatic
of faith movements. Newcomers will find a fascinating entre into the
Let us build the western side with the beautiful and heart of Chrysostom Thirumenis vision and theology, which has
enchanting hope the transformative potential of the future. This book is a
Let its roof be eternity and its floor be humility. trendsetter, which hopefully will be followed up in the days to
come.
It is a naked truth that we become dust on the day when
we cease to be illumined by the radiance of forgiveness. Revd. Dr. Joseph Daniel, Kumbanad

14 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

Beyond Inter Faith Dialogue
Lal Varghese, Esq., Dallas
is about understanding our significant differences, but
What is faith? By faith Christians understand the Word recognizing our similarities, and working together for
and work of Godthe faith of the ancients centered in peace, justice and healing in our world. Interfaith is not
Christ. According to Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is about renouncing religions, or combining all religions into
confidence in what we hope for and assurance about one. Interfaith dialogue on the other hand is a pluralistic
what we do not see.(NIV) This is the basic faith of attempt to find common ground in the values and goals
Christianity consisting of shared transcendental beliefs of various religions. Thus the movement of religious
that have been passed on from believers to believers pluralism has originated and spreading across the world.
and from believers to converts. Hebrews 11 shows that
faith is so important because Gods people are beset The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative,
with weakness, poverty, and difficulty. This is why verse constructive and positive interaction between people of
one tells us, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped different religious traditions or faiths and/or spiritual or
for, the conviction of things not seen. The context for humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional
faith is a life in which things are hoped for but not yet levels. It is distinct from syncretism or alternative religion,
seen or possessed. Faith grasps things that are in that dialogue often involves promoting understanding
promised by God but are so far unfulfilled in our between different religions or beliefs to increase
experience. We hope for power in the midst of acceptance of others, rather than to synthesize new
weakness; we hope for peace in the midst of conflict and beliefs.
for joy in the presence of sorrow. For all these reasons,
Gods people require faith to persevere to live in a It is to be remembered that three major religions in the
difficult world. world were originated from the Abrahamic Faith as
revealed through the Old Testament portions of the
What is religion? The word religion is derived from Latin Bible. The Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for
"religio" (what attaches or retains, moral bond, anxiety of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs defines "the
self-consciousness, scruple) used by the Romans, difference between ecumenical, interfaith, and
before Jesus Christ, to indicate the worship of the interreligious relations," as follows:
demons. The origin of "religio" is debated since antiquity.
"Ecumenical" as "relations and prayer with other
Cicero said it comes from "relegere" (to read again, to
Christians,"
re-examine carefully, to gather) in the meaning "to
"Interfaith" as "relations with members of Jewish
carefully consider the things related to the worship of
and Muslim traditions," and
gods". Later, Lucretius, Lactancius and Tertullianus see
"Interreligious" as "relations with other religions,
its origin in "religare" (to connect) to refer "the bond of
such as Hinduism and Buddhism."
piety that binds to God".

The word religion initially used for Christianity, gradually In the book titled Beyond the Dysfunctional Family:
extended to all forms of social demonstration in Jews, Christians and Muslims in Dialogue With Each
connection with sacred. Religion is the set of beliefs, Other and With Britain (August 2012) by Alan Race Ed
feelings, dogmas and practices that define the relations and Tony Bayfield, the authors argue that differences in
between human being and sacred or divinity. It is the faith between religions should be recognized and
outer manifestation of ones faith and belief of something respected without claiming superiority over each
sacred. A given religion is defined by specific elements other. Yet superiority is ingrained in religious texts
of a community of believers: dogmas, sacred books, consider the implication for Jews of the Christian
rites, worship, sacrament, moral prescription, interdicts, doctrine of the New Covenant. The authors are
and organization. The majority of religions have convinced that the next phase of religious identity needs
developed starting from a revelation based on the urgently to embrace the growing dialogue between
exemplary history of a nation, of a prophet or a wise man religious traditions, both as a search for a fuller account
who taught an ideal of life. Christianity originated on the of religious truth and in the cooperation needed for
preaching and teachings of Jesus Christ written by overcoming the impression of endemic violence which
Apostles and contained in New Testament portion of the many associate with religious conviction. The three
Bible. religions share a positive sense of the goodness of
creation, moral purpose in history and believing as a
What is interfaith and interfaith dialogue? Interfaith dynamic enterprise of persons. The interfaith dialogue is
describes an interaction between people of different inevitably a progressive exercise; scriptures should not
religions or faith traditions. But it is more than that and it be used in a simplistic way; they need careful

15 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

interpretation bearing in mind their historical context and plague our communities. Most of the people consider
their relevance to present needs. The authors conclude Muslim religion as a source for terrorism, but in fact they
that from now on it will not be possible for Judaism, are not. It is the evil forces in all religion, which creates
Christianity and Islam to exist in isolation if the real truth violence and hatred between the Abrahamic faith
of our human religious situation is to be grasped. communities. The majority of the religious violence and
terrorism takes place in the Middle East where all three
Jews, Christians and Muslims represent more than 50% Abrahamic faith communities were originated.
of the worlds population. The above referenced book
makes the case that if religion is not to be dismissed as Interfaith dialogue in itself is not sufficient to create
the dying relic of a bygone age, but these three groups harmony between different groups of religions especially
of religions must discover the secret of respectful co- between the three major religions of the world namely
existence. The writers share their dialogue in the Jewish, Christianity and Muslim. Truly, no religion
knowledge that they are from sibling faiths, having a creates evil or spreads evil, but evil itself present within
prophetic, ethical monotheism in common. Jews talk of man is responsible for spoiling the faith of religions and
repairing the world, Christians talk of building the religious people. These religions, which have common
kingdom of God, and Muslims talk of creating a just faith based on Abrahamic traditions, must need to find
world. All three religions consider the Old Testament avenues where we can truly test the strength of interfaith
portion of the Bible as their sacred book on which they dialogue and build upon it through the hard work of
established their faith and belief. interfaith collaboration. Each religion must respect the
faith of the other religions and must find a common
Nostra Aetate is not only one of the foundational ground where they can agree upon or collaborate in
documents of the post Vatican II Catholic Church but of order to strengthen their relationship each other. Thus
all interfaith relations. Nostra Aetate was a paradigm shift hatred and fear can be eliminated from the world and
for the Catholic Church, which has become a paradigm true love can be established between religions,
shift for all of the religions because it paved the way for community and people. Let me conclude with the
the past 50 years of interfaith dialogue. It opens with the following reflection on interfaith dialogue written by an
following statement: In our time, when day by day unknown author:
mankind is being drawn closer together, and the ties
between different peoples are becoming stronger, the God is one,
Church examines more closely her relationship to non- But Gods
Christian religions. In her task of promoting unity and love names are many.
among men, indeed among nations, she considers above Religion is one,
all in this declaration what men have in common and but its ways are many.
what draws them to fellowship. Spirituality is one,
But religions are many.
It appears that a multitude of interfaith dialogues had Humanity is one,
emerged around the world including Christian-Jewish, but human beings are many.
Christian-Buddhist, Christian-Muslim, Christian-Hindu, All religions
and most recently Christian-Confucian. Interfaith and
dialogue and understanding is now an integral part of spiritual paths originate from
much of the theological education worldwide and is and lead to
present in a variety of ways and forms in many of our The same place
religious communities. Many universities and seminaries Love.
dedicate themselves in research to find out the common
ground of all religious belief so that a common platform
can be created from where they can work together for Editors Note: Lal Varghese, Esq.,
the betterment of the humanity. is mainly practicing in U. S
Immigration law for more than 25
As a faith community, we Christians need to understand years in Dallas. He is the legal
that it is necessary that interfaith communities especially counsel and member of the Legal
Abrahamic faith religions must begin to work together Affairs Committee of the Diocese
systemically to change the fragmented, dis-integrating of North America & Europe of the
fabric of the communities we live. It is critical that the Mar Thoma Church. He is also
faith communities work together to provide a new one of the co-editors of the book
environment that binds us together and begin to shape a Expanses of Grace He can be
common good that challenges the forces of reached at E-Mail:
individualism, hyper-consumption, environmental attylal@aol.com, Telephone: (972) 788-0777 (O), (972)
degradation and social and economic inequity that 788-1555 (Direct)
16 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

Hostility to Hospitality is the Very Essence of Spirituality (Part-1)
Dr. Zac Varghese, London, England

Hostility to hospitality is the very essence of interfaith according to the custom of the desert, he brings water for
dialogue and interfaith living. It is the very essence of a their feet and their thirst and Sarah prepares them a
spiritual journey. This phrase has an amazing potential great feast without ever expecting anything in return. This
power to create a movement from enclosed corridors of hospitality has become one of the great blessings for
limitations to expanding avenues of grace and unlimited Abraham and the inauguration of a great nation. The
possibilities. I have opted to write about just a few issues, blessing comes by the way of a prediction that Sarah will
which create hostility and their implications in our lives. give Abraham a son. Abraham was blessed so that he
This probably would help us collectively to realise what could become a blessing for the whole created world. At
we must do to create hospitality. In writing one should be the other end of the spectrum, we also read the story of
able to express both subjective and objective the kind of hospitality given to the two angels who
understanding of others views as well to provide a appeared at Lots doorstep and how Lots hospitality
beneficial influence in these matters for the common ended up in hostility and the destruction of Sodom and
good of the community and to create a critical mass of Gomorrah.
people to take the right action. I write with the sure hope
that one day we will move from the entrenched position In the New Testament Jesus has become the reason for
of hostility to the expanding avenues of hospitality, hospitality and creates a season for hospitality through
accommodation, and civility in all human relationships; out Galilee. From the beginning of his ministry he became
this should include very special care needed in the medium for hospitality. At the wedding at Cana, at the
understanding and accommodating people of other faith feeding of five thousand, and numerous other occasions
communities and people of no faith. We should never be and finally at the Last Supper we see this theme in his
tempted to use communication media for attacking ministry. His mere presence and personality created
people; we should be careful in using words which may hospitality for the tax collectors and other socially
help only in projecting our ego in showing up the skills unaccepted people. Jesus healed the centurions servant
with vocabulary; thoughtless words may hurt people and (Matt.8: 5-13) and the daughter of the Syrophoenician
create hostility. Let us learn to use words or body woman (Mk. 7:24-30). After Jesus death and
language or even silence to help us to respect people, but resurrection, Peter, Paul and other Apostles extended this
not suspect. hospitality to Gentiles and the whole humanity. Therefore,
one of the major emphases in Christianity is moving away
I am writing this article, particularly, to challenge our from hostility and creating hospitality. The invitation to
young people to contribute to FOCUS Journal to create His great banquet is still open to all. Our task as
a living forum for providing hospitality for fresh thinking Christians is to extend this hospitality to our pluralist
for a comprehensive inclusive Christian lifestyle. I do neighbourhoods.
understand that changes that the young people are
seeking in the light of their newer understanding and In this early part of the twentyfirst century we continue to
exposure to various cultural and other societal influences experience resurgence of do-it- yourself religious
may take a very long time to achieve. This requires groupings and polarisation, in rebellion against
patience of a kind to wait till we can create a critical mass institutionalised main line churches. The main line
of people wanting these changes in their own time and churches have a responsibility to provide the right kind of
pace. It needs self-discipline to be tolerant to others who pastoral care for this new demand in religious
do not like any deviation from the status quo. A feuding experiences and to prevent the propagation of wrong
Church or faith community cannot heal a broken world; kind of emphasis and theology. To do this we need to be
this again is a challenge for moving away from hostility secure in our basic theological foundations. Mar Thoma
and welcoming hospitality; respect not suspect is a Church over the years provided good leadership in India
good motto to begin with. to bring out religious renewal, various social changes
through education, social and cultural integration.
Hostility is a major theme in the Old Testament, the However, a period of stability and prosperity and
division between the creature and the creator is the complacency created pseudo superiority and fixation in
source of all conflict and all hostility. But we also see the our attitudes. There are new demands on us to provide
hospitality there from the very beginning of the Old basic human needs, friendship, warmth, empathy,
Testament faith beginning with Abraham. In nomadic healing, and an integrated collective spiritual experience
existence hospitality was a matter of survival. When Lord through adequate pastoral care. Main line churches,
appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre in generally, do not meet emotional and social needs of the
the company of two others, Abraham welcomes them majority in the society; other, instant- do- it- yourself

17 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

religious groupings move in to exercise their influence. We of the prosperous and the complacent. The 11 of September th

should be aware of our motives under these circumstances; experience of panic, fear and desperation gave way for a
we should not allow ourselves to be sucked into a vacuum strong need for spiritual healing and recuperation. As a jerk
created by the breakdown of institutions and structures. reaction, President Bush immediately allocated millions of
There are differences among us; but, more importantly, there dollars for faith-based projects in the community. But true
is a world out there crying out for hospitality; a world broken religion should be able to provide a lasting solace and
by wars, religiously motivated terrorism, oppression, meaning for all eventualities of life including for the rebuilding
prejudice, power struggles and injustice. of communities after devastating on going experiences in
Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, ISIS-controlled and
neighbouring areas. One of the recurring themes in periods
of violence and instability is religious revivalism. People
search out and find safety in spiritual desert-oasis.
Spirituality and a spiritual life are the way of seeing the whole
life in a new and fuller perspective. Sadly, we often speak of
spiritual life as though it were an alternative life lived in
alternative world. What is needed is a new understanding
about religion-less spirituality.

The Church always needs a sturdy and searching theology,

and never more than when tides and waves of religious
fundamentalism and violence are flowing, unquestioned and
unchecked. Both Apartheid and Nazism sprang from wrong
theology; the same thing is happening with ISIS. They are
based on the belief that God is a sort of God who created
some people with particular authority, commands, coloured
skins or certain genetic make up in them. Theology begets
belief and belief begets behaviour, and before long such
beliefs beget bad behaviour. Many more evils in the world
than we realise are derived from religious convictions based
on bad theology. This is fully evident today in recruiting
disciples for terrorism in the name of religion. Skilled
autocrats forge signature of God as the ultimate infallible
authority underwriting those wrong beliefs. They paint God
Do we need an Indian Christian Theology to move away from as a projection of their own unfulfilled desires; they make
hostility to provide hospitality to other faith communities in God in their own image. They even convince us that God
the Indian context? Do we need a Diaspora theology to live spoke to them in the early hours of the morning before or
with our neighbours in countries of our adoption? Chinas after a crisis. These are ways of closing down hospitality to
absorption of Buddhism from India failed to propagate an create exclusive communities and interest groups.
Indian culture in China. The Chinese adapted Buddhism to
Chinese purposes and needs, the new Hindu revivalist has a The healthy environment of all religious conviction must be a
tendency to seen Indian Christians as agents of Western living theology and in the best sense an everyday theology. It
civilisation. The Western cultural baggage of Christianity is is an attempt to speak to a need and respond to an
too easy for others to see and react against. The growing opportunity. There is a quest for faith and belief; we need to
power of non- Western societies, Islamic nations, China, and help ordinary people to have the tools, road maps, and
India through modernisation is generating very special guidebooks for their spiritual journey. We live in an
demands on established main line churches. Under these expanding market of faith and we really do need to know
circumstance what should be theological understanding of some theology and to be able to articulate our faith. Cardinal
Mar Thoma Christians? How do we go about establishing Newman realised these years ago and said, I want an
and Indian Christian theology or Diaspora spirituality? Most articulated and well educated laity. Studying about other
of our theological scholarship is a borrowed scholarship peoples faith and tradition should be part of our theological
from the West and it is time to build on the work started by education. The need for an articulate, theologically sound
late M. M. Thomas, bishop Appasamy and others. In the Church is far greater than ever. Todays world is a world of
fields of Mission and evangelism there is an urgent need for buzzwords, sound bites, instant opinions, and packaged
greater understanding of other faiths to move away from discussions, manufactured for a global market.
hostility to hospitality to create wider-ecumenism. We should Unfortunately, religions are in the hands of a chosen few or
search for a new vocabulary in creating this hospitality. of a group of priests and practitioners; it is in the temples,
churches, mosques, gurdwaras dogmas, ceremonial and
Although faith is the basis of all religious affiliations, yet in rituals. Mass manipulation is increasingly the agenda of our
the present climate it is fear and hostility which is driving times, which is a prescription for hostility.
people to seek do-it yourself religions which will meet their
immediate needs and protect them. God is seldom in the lips (To be continued)
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Foundational Principles of Interreligious Dialogue
Acharya Sachidananda Bharathi, Nagpur* a. Rootedness

Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace Rootedness implies being rooted where God has
in the world, and so it is a duty of Christians as well as planted us. A tree can grow big and strong and bear
other religious communities. - Pope Francis abundant fruits only when it is rooted deep in the soil
where it is planted. Likewise, every one of us can grow
Introduction strong and bear much fruit only if we are rooted firmly
where we are planted by an ever-loving and eternally
Peace in the world is impossible without peace among merciful and compassionate God.
religions in the world. Without peace, there cannot be
sustainable development. The G20 has identified A rolling stone gathers no moss is an old proverb. It
Interreligious Harmony as an essential requirement for means unfocussed life-missions and compromising value
achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) systems and changing attitudes will not help us to grow
adopted by the nations of the world in the UN Summit and bear abundant fruits in our lives.
held in September 2015.
As Indians we need to be rooted in our Constitutional and
I have been involved in a mission to promote spiritual values. Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
interreligious dialogue and cooperative action for a are the Constitutional values of India. Satya, Ahimsa,
culture of peace and sustainable development in India Tyaga & Seva (Truth, Nonviolence, and Renunciation &
ever since my encounter with death in an air accident and Service) are the eternal spiritual values that ever inspired
the subsequent encounter with the living Spirit of Christ in the Indian mind. By inculcating these Constitutional and
1982. I was a serving Squadron Leader of the Indian Air spiritual values of India in our lives and making them our
Force at the time of the air accident. The encounter with own we can become deep-rooted in our own legacy as
death at a least expected moment in my life and the blessed children of Mother India.
subsequent encounter with the living Spirit of Christ
changed my life and worldview radically. Life has not b. Openness
been the same for me ever since.
Openness implies being open to the truth, goodness
The unprecedented communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and beauty in other religions and scriptures, in other
in western UP in 2013 took me there for three months cultures and traditions, and in other individuals and
from 1st December 2013 to 1st March 2014 with a communities. We need to look at other religions,
Reconciliation & Peace Project. The pain and agony of scriptures, cultures and traditions with respect and
the devastating communal violence and my own appreciation. Only an individual who has developed a
experience of working for reconciliation and peace unitive divine consciousness through the truth, goodness
among the victims inspired me to initiate the and beauty of his/her own religion and scripture can be
Tyagarchana Shanti Mission (TSM) as an interreligious truly open to the truth, goodness and beauty of other
mission for peace and communal harmony in India. I am religions and scriptures as well as of other cultures and
presently involved in this mission. traditions without being insecure or being threatened in
any manner. The more we are open to others, the more
Foundational Principles of Interreligious Dialogue we ourselves will be enriched.

Experiments and experiences over the years have helped Human minds like parachutes function best when fully
me to develop five foundational principles of open. Small and closed minds create divisions and
interreligious dialogue and cooperative action for a conflicts. Like the Billiard balls, they will be always
culture of peace. I have found them to be quite effective clashing against each other. Spiritual growth leads to
in the multi-religious context of India. These five expansion of consciousness. Only people with open
foundational principles are: minds and expanded consciousness can accept,
appreciate and respect others.
a. Rootedness
b. Openness Much of the violence in the world today is caused by the
c. Simplicity clashes of small egocentric minds. Continuous growth
d. Prayerfulness and expansion of consciousness alone can help us
e. Non-violence manifest our divine potentials. Selfishness, greed, pride
and jealousy are attributes of small minds. Smallness of
These foundational principles are briefly explained below. mind is an offence against God who has endowed us with
great divine potentials for growth and development.
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What we see depend on where we stand. The level to Most religions stress on the need of simplicity and
which our consciousness has expanded and evolved will humility for spiritual growth.
determine the level of our openness to the truth,
goodness and beauty within and around us, and also in The more loving we are, the more open we become to the
others. needs and difficulties of others. The more open we are to
the needs and difficulties of others, the simpler our own
Our religious faith, code, creed and cult are often lives will become. The simpler our lives are, the more we
influenced by our fears and prejudices. Religious leaders can share with others who are in need. Thus, simplicity is
oftentimes try to keep their followers under their control an outcome of openness.
by inducing in them fear of damnation, rebirth, eternal hell
etc. or by offering them the allurements of heaven, d. Prayerfulness
paradise, moksha, mukti, nirvana etc., before and/or after
Prayerfulness implies being open to the living presence
death.
of God in ones own life, in others and in the whole
creation at all times. Prayerfulness is an antidote for the
Human life is a pilgrimage on earth. It is a journey from a
dangers of consumerism and materialism. It is not saying
small womb to a larger womb, from the small womb of
many prayers. It is an expression of happiness and
ones human mother to the larger womb of Mother Earth.
gratitude for the gift of life. It is living from the depths of
Our consciousness also has to expand from a mother-
ones being. This is a common goal of all religions. Prayer
centred divisive ego consciousness to an earth-centred
establishes a conscious connectivity with God, in whom
unitive divine consciousness. This calls for total openness
we live, move and have our being.
to God and fellow beings, inspired by love of God and
love of the neighbour. True love should also include love Prayer in the beginning stages takes the forms of appeals
of enemies and praying for those who persecute us as and petitions, requesting God for favours for oneself and
taught by Sadguru Jesus Christ. for ones own dear and near ones. From this level, we
grow to a level of praying for wisdom, strength and
Openness to love and grace is very essential for peace
discernment to face and overcome the trials and
and happiness. A loving heart will be a grace-filled heart.
tribulations of life. Further on, prayer becomes an
Love leads to openness. The more loving we are the more
attitude of gratitude to God for all that we are and for all
open and peaceful we will become. The extent of our
that we have. Thereafter it becomes praise and adoration
spiritual growth can be measured in terms of our capacity
of the majesty of God. And further, prayer leads us to
to love and our capacity to be open to the needs and
ever-deeper levels of silent and joyful communion with
difficulties of others. The more rooted we are in love and
God the Supreme Spirit.
grace, the more open and peaceful we become.
Openness is a fruit of rootedness. Mahatma Gandhi was a man of prayer. He drew his
strength for his non-violent political movement, the
c. Simplicity
greatest of its kind in human history, from a deep prayer
Simplicity implies keeping our needs and wants to the life. According to him prayer is the longing of the soul.
optimum. Mahatma Gandhi was a very simple man. Prayer is not asking. It is the longing of the soul. It is daily
Simplicity of life is the most effective antidote for admission of ones weakness. It is better in prayer to have
consumerism. a heart without words than words without a heart, he had
pointed out. The Peace prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Simplicity means an ethics of enough, to be satisfied starting with Lord, Make me an instrument of your
with what we have. This does not mean laziness and less peace.. is very famous. People from all religious
wok. Simplicity is also not simply sitting. We should work backgrounds love and use it.
hard and produce more, but keep our own needs to the
optimum so that we can share more with others. Of Prayerfulness brings peace and happiness into ones life.
course, we should love and take care of ourselves, but It is an expression of ones total dependence on God and
never to the extent of pampering ourselves or depriving divine providence. Everyone and everything in life is a gift
others of their rightful needs and aspirations. and grace from God because life itself is His gift and
grace. None had asked for it and none has total control
Simple living and high thinking have been the shared over it.
values of great people all over the world, especially of the
great men and women of India. Less luggage, more A truly prayerful person lives life with happiness and
comfort is an old axiom with great wisdom. Greed and gratitude. Economics, politics, business, industry,
acquisitiveness are the root causes of much of the education, healthcare, science and technology are
violence in the world today. We need to simplify our lives important areas of human life and endeavour that urgently
in order to multiply the divine grace active in our lives. need the healing touch of prayerfulness today.

20 | P a g e F O C U S J u l y 2 0 1 7

Only a person of simplicity and humility can truly pray important task of the millennium. Promoting the above
with faith and hope. The more simple and humble a five foundational principles of interreligious dialogue and
person is, the more prayerful he/she can be. cooperation will be a very valuable contribution one can
Prayerfulness is also an outcome of simplicity of life. make towards peace and sustainable development on
earth in the present era. Blessed are the peacemakers,
e. Non-violence they shall be called the children of God (Mt. 5. 9) taught
Sadguru Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace and Lord of
Non-violence according to Mahatma Gandhi is love in love. It is by working for peace that we can become true
action. It comes from a harmonious and prayerful life. sons and daughters of God. Disciples of Sadguru Jesus
Ahimsa Paramo Dharma (Non-violence is the supreme Christ in the present era are called and commissioned by
virtue) is a dictum representing Indias deep faith in non- their Divine Master to be peacemakers in a peace-less
violence. Truth and non-violence (satya & ahimsa) are the world. Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so
two constituents of the spiritual weapon of Satyagraha do I send you (Jn. 20. 21). This was the mission mandate
that Mahatma Gandhi had developed to fight the enemy for the disciples from their Divine Master.
non-violently. St. Francis of Assisi was an embodiment of
non-violence. The wild and ferocious wolf was also a Editors Note: *Acharya Sachidananda Bharathi (alias
brother to him. He was in total harmony with all life and Air Force Baba) is a former Indian Air Force Squadron
whole creation. Leader turned promoter of peace, spirituality and
sustainable development.
A culture of peace can emerge on earth only when we are An encounter with death
awakened to the interdependence and interrelatedness of in an air accident in 1982
all human beings and all living beings. By harming others and subsequent spiritual
we are also harming ourselves. By destroying the nature experiences with the living
we are also destroying ourselves. Non-violence is Spirit of Christ changed
harmonious coexistence. It is an important virtue radically the life of the 35-
promoted by the different enlightened religious traditions year-old Squadron
of humankind. Leader. He has travelled
widely and has authored a
Non-violence is not the mere absence of physical
number of books. He was
violence. Thoughts and words can also be equally violent.
one of the delegates who
Psychological violence sometimes can be more
represented India in the
damaging than physical violence. Betrayal of trust by
Millennium World Peace
ones spouse can be a very painful experience, often
Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders organized by
leading to great violence. Violent thoughts lead to violent
the United Nations at New York in August 2000. He is the
words, which in turn will lead to violent actions. True non-
Founder & Acharya-guru of Navasrushti International
violence means non-violence in thought, word and deed.
Trust and all the organizations, institutions and Ashrams
Faith in an eternally loving omnipresent, omniscient and
under the legal ownership of this Trust. He had
omnipotent God can help us to develop such non-
undertaken a yearlong Desh Vandana-2007 across India
violence.
during 2007 for a Hunger-free, Caste-free and
The power of non-violence depends on the power of the Corruption-free India. He had also undertaken a month-
self-giving love behind it. Mahatma Gandhi had pointed long Dharma Rajya Sandesha Yatra across Kerala in
out that non-violence is not for scoundrels. It is for the 2010 to promote Liquor-free Family & Panchayati Raj
courageous and the strong. Violence is often the sign of Democracy. During 2015 he undertook a five and half
weakness, fear and insecurity. A weak, fearful or insecure months long Tyagarchana Shanti Yatra across UP to
person can never be an instrument of peace in the world. promote Peace and Communal Harmony. His latest
Indias strength lies in her philosophy of non-violence. initiative is Khushaal Bachpan Abhiyaan Bihar Mission
She can be only as strong as her faith in non-violence is. to promote happy and healthy childhood in Bihar through
Non-violence is an outcome of a deeply prayerful life. interreligious cooperation, with focus on poor children.
Only a prayerful person can be truly non-violent.
Acharyas Contact Information:
The five foundational principles of Interreligious dialogue
outlined above are interdependent and interrelated. From Navasrushti Ashram
rootedness comes openness, from openness comes Shantivanam, Rama Village, Nagpur, M S
simplicity, from simplicity comes prayerfulness and from 441 108, India
prayerfulness comes true non-violence. A culture of
peace in the world is impossible without true non-
Mobile: 07709796805 & 07721861863
violence. Interreligious dialogue constitutes an urgent and E-mail: swamisachidananda@gmail.com

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Islam- an Introduction
Miss. Nikhat Sattar, Karachi*
Day when He will reward those who persevered, did
Muslims, adherents of Islam, number around 1.8 billion righteous deeds, worshipped Him and asked for
globally, thus making up 24 per cent of the worlds forgiveness when they erred, and He must punish those
population. All fundamentals of Islam are found in the who created anarchy, harmed others and other Creations
Quran, the Holy Book which was revealed over a period and behaved with arrogance. The existence of this world
of 23 years to the Prophet Mohammed (sws) by God is a proof of the After Life in order to strike a balance. The
through Angel Gabriel. trials must be seen as challenges that enable humans to
develop their inner strength and patience.
According to the Quran, chosen messengers of God, the
first being Abraham (asm) had brought the religion of Morality springs from the purpose of human life, which is
Islam, which means mans submission to the One and to purify oneself. This consists of doing good and
Only God. People went astray over years and God refraining from evil deeds. God has built a mechanism of
continued to send prophets to set them right. These differentiation within the human spirit to enable it to
prophets included, among others, Lot, Noah, David, recognise what is good and what is bad. It is only when
Solomon, Jacob, Ishaq, Ismael, Moses, Jesus (asms) and this mechanism gets rusty or corrupted through
finally, Mohammed (sws), who came to remove any continuous misuse that people become habitual sinners
deviations and to complete the religion. or criminals. There are three components of good:
fulfilling ones obligations and being just in all matters, to
The Quran is the primary and the most reliable source of others; demonstrating love, compassion and generosity
religious information. It is complemented by the essential towards others, even if it means loss to oneself and
practices of the Prophet (Sunnah) and authentic Hadith sacrificing ones interests and, finally, spending ones
(sayings of the Prophet). Islam requires people to live with resources for and giving to relatives, friends, neighbours,
piety, understanding and love in the world. It has no travellers, the poor and the weak.
concept of organised clergy or monasticism. There may
be scholars who are supposed to be well versed with The evil which Muslims must protect themselves from are
religious knowledge and who may provide teaching to also in three main groups: any sort of obscenity, such as
other Muslims, but the ordinary Muslim is encouraged to adultery and related activities; unethical, dishonest
deliberate upon the Quran and strengthen belief based on practices which are well recognised as such by human
reasoning and intellect. societies, such as bribery, corruption, profiteering,
oppression, brutality, charging interest, in short, any
action that suppresses a right of others, and the third is
violent rebellion aimed at creating anarchy in the land, in
which people commit offences against the property, life
and honour of others. This may include looting and
robbery, killings and acts of terrorism and rape.

These categories can be further explained through ten

rules, similar to those in the Torah. These are worship of
God, with total submission. He is the One humans should
ask from, pray to, ask forgiveness from, turn to in times of
trouble, thank for His blessings and for delivery from evil
in this world and the next. No one else should be
considered. The second is love for and obedience to
Islam is comprised of two elements: guidance and rules. parents. Obligations to them are only second to that for
Guidance includes beliefs and morality. The basic beliefs God. The only point in which they must not be obeyed is
are five: Oneness of God; Holy Books; prophets; angels if they try to move one away from Islam. Even in this
and the Day of Judgement, followed by eternal life in case, one must be kind to them. The third is to spend
Paradise or Hell. Monotheism or tauhid is an absolute generously and share ones resources, because ones
necessity for anyone to be a Muslim. Shirk, or association possessions are being held in custody for God. The
of any deity with God is the greatest sin which is sharing should be such that people should not be made
unforgiveable. All other beliefs follow from this. God has to feel ashamed of being on the receiving end. Lavish
certain attributes in their highest form (99, according to spending, for the sake of showing off is forbidden but it is
Hadith) and these include Mercy, Compassion, Justice also not required to be clothed poorly if one can afford
and Power. This world is full of trials and tribulations for clean and good clothes. In all matters, the middle way
humans and is also unjust. Thus, God must bring about a is the right way.

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Fourthly, keeping ones honour and modesty is required, drink or engage in sexual activity, is as strong on
both for women and men. Since it is easy to be tempted, cleansing and purifying the soul as it is upon the body. It
one is asked to try to avoid any activity, which may lead is also the month when generosity is at its peak and
to obscenity. Modesty in dress, keeping ones eyes community spirit is encouraged. The idea is that if one
lowered in respect of the opposite sex is part of the can remain true to God, be kind, control ones natural
Islamic morals. The fifth is sanctity of human life. Life can desires, curb ones temper, spend time in soul searching,
be taken only in two cases by the state: when someone silence, reading and understanding the Quran and
has murdered another and when one has caused anarchy realising that death and the Day of Judgement is not far
in the land. Both must be proved beyond doubt in a valid off, one can take this experience to the rest of the year
and accepted court of law. The sixth is never to usurp the also. The final pillar is to perform the Hajj, which is the
wealth of an orphan, the seventh to keep a promise, pilgrimage to Makkah, where the Kaba, the first and only
however difficult it might be; the eighth to weigh properly House of God, constructed by Abraham and his son,
and never to cheat; the ninth never to believe in Ismael, is located. The Hajj is to be performed once in life,
superstitions and false stories about which one may not provided one can afford it.
have full knowledge and the tenth to never be arrogant,
proud and show off ones abilities, possessions or The day after Ramadan is a day of celebration and is
beauty. called the Eid ul Fitr. People visit each other, make
special dishes and greet and embrace each other. The
second celebration is the Eid ul Adha that is the day of
Hajj and marks the incident in which Prophet Abraham
was ready to sacrifice his son when he saw that he was
being instructed to do so by God in a dream. God was so
pleased with his total dedication to Himself that he
replaced his son, Ismael with a ram.

The above may seem a lot of worship requirements to

non-Muslims. Yet, if one realises that for Muslims, this
world is only a fleeting time in the larger span of an
eternal life, a time in which to sow their deeds and reap
benefits afterwards, it may not seem all that difficult. Also,
the Quran says that God has made religion easy for
humans. If people are old, sick, unable to walk, travel,
they may say their prayers just sitting, or even lying down,
they may not fast during Ramadan or they may feed the
poor instead of fasting. There are, thus many a leeway
given to those who are genuinely unable to perform any
of these acts. The requirement is always to possess an
attitude of submission to God and of compassion to His
creatures on earth.
Beliefs and morality necessarily call for certain forms of
worship and meeting obligations towards other humans. Editors Note; *Miss
These are the five pillars of Islam. The first is to verbally Nikhat Sattar is a
recite the Shahadah, witnessing upon the Oneness of journalist of Dawn,
God and the messenger ship of the Prophet Mohammed. which is the oldest
Worship of God is conducted (along with ensuring that Newspaper in
the correct attitude towards God and humans is Pakistan, published
developed) through five daily prayers: early morning; from Karachi. She is
afternoon; late afternoon; late evening and at night. The a prolific freelance
prayer is considered to be the single form of worship that writer and has
brings the human closer to his Creator. The third is to pay written several
zakah, a compulsory tax for all Muslims who possess articles especially
wealth whether in cash, property or jewelry. This zakah about the Muslim
can be either given to the poor, sick, or for society women and their
welfare individually or collected by a Muslim state and quest for freedom
distributed. The fourth is to fast for 30 days during the and social justice.
month of Ramadan, which is when the Quran was Her articles were
revealed. This fast, which begins before daybreak and published in Deccan Chronicle also in addition to Dawn.
ends at sunset, and, during which, Muslims must not eat,
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Buddhism
Editorial Reflection

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions of the World. India for 45 years and preached that the root of human
Siddharta Gautama was born a prince of Sakya dynasty, suffering lies in enslavement to greed, hatred and
in Nepal in 5th Century BCE. There were miracle stories delusion. Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths: The
about his birth and prophecies that he would either reality of suffering; the cause of suffering as self-centred
become an emperor or a holy man. His father protected desire; the possibility of overcoming this suffering; and
him in every way and educated him to be a very good the means of achieving Enlightenment though the Noble
king. In his early childhood, while walking with his father Eight Fold Paths, which are right views, right thoughts,
on a morning, he noticed a bird descending to the ground right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right
and carrying of a small worm. This affected him very mindfulness and right concentration. This is also known
much; he sat down under a tree and whispered to as the middle way of moderation, between the extremes
himself: Alas! Do all living creatures kill each other? He of sensual indulgence and self-mortification.
changed his attitude totally. The prince, who had lost his Enlightenment is the ultimate goal of Buddhist teaching. A
mother soon after his birth, was deeply affected by the human being who becomes enlightened understands life
tragedy of the little creatures and others in the world. His in the deepest way possible.
father tried to change him and to make a real king by
teaching him state-crafts. He was surrounded by luxury Gautama Buddha became ill at the age of eighty and
and had a beautiful wife and a son. However, at the age rested underneath two large Sala trees, but he continued
of 29, he discovered the Four Signs: He saw an old man, his teaching until his last moment. He entered Nirvana,
a sick man, a dead body and this taught him that age, perfect tranquillity, after he had completed his work as
sickness and death were normal aspects of everyones one of the worlds greatest teachers. His last words to his
life. He fourthly saw a holy man and realised that this man disciples were: Make of yourself a light. Rely upon
was searching for a way to understand and overcome yourself; do not depend upon anyone else; do not
these common fates in life. depend upon any other teaching A mans mind may
make him a Buddha, or it may make him a beast. Misled
by error, one becomes a demon; enlightened one
becomes a Buddha. Therefore, control your mind and do
not let it deviate from the right path. . . My disciples, my
last moment has come, but do not forget that death is
only the end of the physical body. . . But true Buddha is
not a human body; it is Enlightenment. A human body
must die, but the wisdom of Enlightenment will exist
forever in the truth of the Dharma and in the practice of
Dharma. . . After my death, the Dharma shall be your
teacher. Follow the Dharma and you will be true to me. . .
During the last forty-five years of my life, I have withheld
nothing from my teachings. There is no secret teaching,
no hidden meaning; everything has been taught openly
and clearly. My dear disciples, this is the end. In a
moment, I shall be passing into Nirvana. This is my
instruction.

Buddha is not considered to be a god, but he was truly a

great teacher who lived a simple ascetic life. Gautama
Buddha is respected as one of a series of enlightened
This made him leave the palace to explore truth, wisdom human beings, Buddhas, to appear on the earth time to
and peace. He wandered around as a mendicant for six time. Buddha is not worshipped as a god. Buddhists are
years. After six years of exploration and years of yoga deeply spiritual and peace loving people, and not
and other ascetic practices, he finally sat down under a atheists. Buddhists follow the teaching of Buddha; there
tree and meditated. There, he had a revelation into the are various Buddhist traditions in different countries such
nature of life, death, human suffering, and what is needed as Mahayana in China, Korea and Japan; Theravada in Sri
to overcome this. This experience made him a Buddha, Lanka, Myanmar (Burma) and Cambodia; and Vajrayana
which means one who is Enlightened or awake. The tree in Tibet.
underneath he meditated became known as the tree of
Enlightenment or Bodhi tree. He then travelled widely in
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Basic Tenets of Hinduism
Dr. Titus Mathews, Calgary
Upanishads. Teachings based on Upanishads are called
Eighty-five percent of the people of India are Hindus. In Vedanta. Vedas are revealed and hence called Shruthis
Kerala, their percentage is sixty. For anyone who grew (heard). Other scriptures such as the Ramayana and
up in India, it is impossible not to have come across some Mahabharata are secondary and are called Smrithis
Hindus, as neighbours, classmates or just acquaintances. (remembered) and they reiterate the truths revealed in the
Yet most of us Christians, irrespective of the particular Vedas. Bhagavad Gita (conversation between Krishna
denomination we belong to, do not know much about the and Arjuna) is called laymans Upanishad. The Vedic
basic beliefs of Hindus. Some years ago (2007) the hymns are addressed to many gods who are partial
National Council of the YMCAs of India published a small manifestations of one Supreme Spirit. Three aspects of
book edited by the late Prof. K.V. Varghese, who was a Supreme Spirit find expressions in the Hindu Trinity;
leading layman of Mar Thoma Church. We were friends Brahma, the god of creation, Vishnu, the god of
from our college days and he gave me a copy of his protection (preservation) and Shiva, the god of
book. The contents of this article are based on the destruction. Parvathi is the wife to Shiva and their
chapters in this little book. daughters are Saraswati and Lakshmi and sons, Ganesha
and Karthikeya. Consort of Brahama is Saraswati, that of
The book contains six chapters each written by an Vishnu is Lakshmi and that of Shiva is Sakhti. People who
eminent scholar. Prof. D.S. Sharma, wrote on the Nature worship Vishnu primarily are called Vishnavites; Shiva, the
and History of Hinduism, Prof. J.N. Banerjee on the Hindu Shivites.
Concept of God, Prof. R. Basak on the Hindu Concept of
the Natural World, Prof. R.N. Dankekar on the Role of Cardinal virtues of Hinduism are purity, self-control,
Man in Hinduism, Prof. S.C. Chatterjee on Hindu detachment, truth and non-violence. Purity means both
Religious thought and finally Prof. K.V. Varghese on ceremonial and moral. Self-control implies both control
Hindutva and the Rise of Cultural Nationalism. The book of the flesh and the mind. The higher phase of self-
was originally published by the Ronald Press Co., under control is detachment. Truth as a cardinal virtue means
the title The Religion of the Hindus in 1953. It is an eternal reality. To Mahatma Gandhi, Hinduism is a quest
excellent introduction to Hinduism. for truth through non-violence.

The common beliefs of Hinduism concern (a) the

evolution of the world; (b) the organization of the society;
(c) the progress of the individual; (d) four-fold end of
human life; and, (e) the law of Karma and rebirth. The
evolution of the world came about through successive
stages starting with matter and going through
consciousness and intelligence to spiritual bliss
(perfection). In an ideal society men should be ranked
according to spiritual progress. The social system, which
manifests this ideal, is called varna-dharma. The four
castes are the Bhrahmins (the priestly class), the
Kshatriyas (the warrior class) the Vaisyas (the
mercantile/agricultural class) and the Sudras (the labour
class). There are thousands of sub-castes.

The ideal life of a Hindu is divided into four stages:

Brahmacharya (the student), Grihasta (the house-holder),
Vanaprasta (the recluse) and Sanayasa (religious
mendicant). The goal of life for a person is four fold:
dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (enjoyment)
and moksha (liberation). Moksha means becoming a
perfect spirit like the Supreme Spirit.

The fifth common belief is the law of Karma, the law of

The most important scriptures of the Hindus are the moral causation. According the law of Karma every
Vedas, which are four in number: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, individual goes through a series of lives before he obtains
Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Each Veda has four parts, Moksha. Every religious Hindu has his own Ishta-
the Manthras, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas and devatha whose image he or she worships at home. The
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deity is only a means of realizing the Supreme Spirit. So During the next five hundred years the Puranas with full of
are rituals. Worship consists of offerings, prayer and fantastic legends were written, the worship of Mother
meditation. There is no congregational worship, but Goddess (Sakthism) started and Tantras, the sectarian
people may go to a temple and worship the deity scripture of the Sakthas (worshippers of Sakthi) were
enshrined there. There are temple festivals where large written. The religion of the learned class was
crowds gather together to celebrate. systematized into the six philosophical schools of Hindu
thought. They were Nyasa, Vaiseshika, Sankya, Yoga,
The history of Hinduism goes back to 2000 BC when the Mimamsa and Vedanta, each a different view of life. Of
migration of Aryans into the Indo-Gangetic plains began. these the first two are non-theistic and the others theistic.
We can break down the history into various periods and
discuss the major developments during the period. The The medieval period was dominated by the Bhakti
Vedic period (BC 2000 -BC 500) will cover ancient movements and the teachings of philosophers. The
Hinduism. During this time the Manthras, the mystical poets known as Alvars were devoted followers of
Bhrahmanas and the Aranyakas together with Upanishads Vishnu and the Nayanars of Shiva. They sang Buddhism
were recorded. In the Manthra the half personified forces and Jainism out of South India. Sankara, who was born
of nature such as fire, wind, rain etc., give way to the in Kaladi in 788 AD was the exponent of Advaida Vedanta,
concept of the Absolute, the One (monism), which was became a mendicant at an early age and travelled
later developed in Upanishads. Another important throughout India and established four mutts or
development during the Vedic period was the concept of monasteries.
rita, the cosmic order, from which came ideas of dharma
and the laws of Karma. The gods were guardians of both During the modern times, some attempts were made to
and they had to be propitiated by sacrifices. This led to modernize Hinduism by Ram Mohun Roy who founded
the period of Brahmanas during the course of which the the Brahmo Samaj. He fought against cruel practices
priestly class became very powerful and the cast system such as sati (the immolation of young brides with their
developed. It was the age of prophets; but it was during dead husbands) and encouraged scientific education,
the age of Upanishads that Vedic thoughts fully denounced idol worship and the caste system. Arya
developed and the foundations of Hinduism were fully Samaj was founded by Swami Dayananda, which takes
laid. Brahman, the universal spirit was identified with the the Vedas seriously, ignoring later developments. The
atman, the self, and imprisoned in human body, mind and true renaissance of Hinduism begins with the teachings of
understanding. Moksha is the release of atman from the Ramakrishna (1836-1886) whose favourite disciple was
prison of individuality and jnana or knowledge is the Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), the founder of the
means for Moksha or salvation. Ramakrishna Mission. Others like Aurobindo Ghose,
Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi should be
During the following three hundred years, the manuals of mentioned as well-known Hindus.
ritualism such as the Kalpa Sutra were written. The
practises of rigid ritualism of Brhamnic period became
paramount. It was in this circumstance that Buddhism Editors Note: Dr. Titus
and Jainism arose and flourished. Though this was a Mathews is Professor
setback for Hinduism a strong cult, the Bhagavata cult, Emeritus of Physics at
was developing in the city of Mathura and whose object the University of Calgary,
was the worship of Krishna, who emerged as an avathara Alberta, Canada.
(incarnation) of Vishnu. Educated in U.C. College
and Madras Christian
During the next five hundred years (BC 200 AD300) the College, he received his
epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata together with Ph.D. degree from
Bhagavath Gita were put in final form. The laws of Manu, University of London
the code of Yajnavalkya, some Upanishads and the (Imperial College) in
earliest Puranas were written during this period. The 1962. He joined the
epics became the Vedas of the ordinary people and this University of Calgary in
led to a great revival of Hinduism. Regional gods were 1966 and has served as Professor and Head of Physics
incorporated into Hindu pantheon and presented as Department and also as Associate Vice-President
different aspect of the Supreme Spirit. The three most (Academic). He has been awarded the Good Servant
important functions of the Spirit - creation, preservation Medal by Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, Out
and destruction of the world - became associated with Standing Service Award by India-Canada Association and
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively. The doctrine of Alberta Government. He is also the recipient of Queen
the avathara, first formulated in Bhagavath Gita, was also Elizabeth Golden Jubilee medal for service to the
established during this time. University of Calgary.

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 Eastern Orthodox Churches. It is high time, the author believes,
Book Review: that official communion should be acknowledged and
The Orthodox Dilemma by George Alexander proclaimed on the hierarchal level.
Review by John G. Panagiotou*
Nowhere is this point more pointedly made than where he
The Orthodox Dilemma Personal Reflections on global Pan- observes that both Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox
Orthodox Christian Conciliar Unity (Second Edition). bishops and theologians have made great efforts to dialogue
LULU BOOKS ($9.50) and ecumenically interact with the Western Church in both its
http://www.lulu.com/shop/http://www.lulu.com/shop/george- Roman Catholic and Protestant expressions (in the World
alexander/the-orthodox-dilemma/paperback/product- Council of Churches and elsewhere) while the Eastern Church
23127727.html has yet to get its own house in order, for which he provides
AMAZON ($ 12.19) multiple examples from the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) on
https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Dilemma-George- down to our own time. In the words of the famed Greek
Alexander/dp/1329629787 Orthodox theologian John S. Romanides, whom he quotes in
KINDLE (2.41) the book, The two traditions (Eastern Orthodox and Oriental
https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Orthodox-Dilemma-Reflections- Orthodox) survived the complexities of history, while always
Pan-Orthodox-ebook/dp/B017P1RFBS maintaining essentially the same Orthodox Faith.
For more reviews and comments
http://ocpbooks.simplesite.com/421272283 The official declaration of reunion of the Eastern Churches
would aid much in dealing with the cultural estrangements,
prejudices, and suspicions of its members for one another. The
irony Alexander notes, however, is that ultimately this needs to
be a grass roots movement from the bottom to the top,
issuing from the laity and the clergy, and facilitated by the
hierarchy through better communication and public
acknowledgment that the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental
Orthodox Churches are sisters.

This, coupled with greater opportunities for interaction between

the members of both churches, should be happening
throughout Orthodoxy. Concerted efforts along these lines
would serve to mitigate prejudices, of which the author provides
copious examples. Among the paradigms for reunion that the
author cites to demonstrate the achievability of this are the
reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (aka
ROCOR) with the Patriarchate of Moscow in 2007, the
Patriarchate of Moscows recent outreach to the Old Believers
Church, and the Pan-Orthodox pioneering work of the Oriental
In George Alexander's "The Orthodox Dilemma" the reader is Orthodox theologians Metropolitan Gregorios Paulose and Fr. V.
given a highly accessible overview of the history, current C. Samuel.
situation, and possible future of Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental
Orthodoxy. Through personal vignettes and historical It is important to note that Alexander is not calling for a one
illustrations, the writer, himself Oriental Orthodox, seeks to world administrative hierarchical bureaucracy, but rather for an
explain and address how the Orthodox Churches have found integrated Orthodox Christian witness, which will serve as a
themselves in their present circumstances. platform compatible with the concilliar nature of the Churchs
episcopacy. This platform would be an expression of
To those with a relatively undeveloped knowledge of Eastern sacramental unity in all of its spiritual aspects of love and
Christianity, many examples that Alexander cites regarding shared faith. It is not a call for a single form of worship or
these churches in both Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox administration based on ecclesial jurisdiction, but an
expression may seem esoteric and obscure, but his central incorporation of St. Irenaeus of Lyons theme of unity in
reason for writing the book is plainto issue a plea for greater diversity.
Pan-Orthodox unity of witness on a global platform.
The author provides numerous suggestions for realizing a
He begins by asserting that before any sort of coordinated form unified Orthodox platform through better theological education
of Orthodox Christian witness can be made, the official for clergy, better use of the modern means of communication
estrangement and sacramental division between the Eastern and media, and work in social justice ministries. To my
Orthodox (Greek, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian, Romanian, and knowledge, this is the first published book to provide thoughtful
Bulgarian) and the Oriental Orthodox (Coptic, Armenian, detail on the execution of this vital project. In many ways, it is a
Ethiopian, Syriac, and Indian Malankara) needs to be seminal work.
addressed. He makes very compelling arguments that this
Eastern Schism is the result of linguistic misunderstandings in Editors Note: *John G. Panagiotou is a Greek Orthodox theologian and
Christology that have long since been theologically resolved, writer, a graduate of St. Vladimirs Orthodox Theological Seminary and
Wheeling Jesuit University. He can be reached
and he notes that it has been the long-standing pastoral
at johnpan777@gmail.com.
practice that Oriental Orthodox receive the sacraments in
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