While discussing what it means to be an interfaith committee, the question of “appreciating” the specific faith traditions of Wiccans, pagans and other faith groups was ultimately voted down by the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee at its February meeting.
The committee was discussing its revised mandate, sparked by the addition of “interfaith” to the committee's name in 2004 — a change the committee believes points to the international church's growing desire to celebrate and affirm not only all Christian communities, but to also seek new and healthy relationships with other religions and those who practice them.
Rev. Mark Lewis said it would be “a huge step forward” to recognize “the worth and value of all traditions.”
Nonetheless, while agreeing to “acknowledge, understand and appreciate” other faith traditions in general, the committee decided not to add the following paragraph: “The faith traditions with which we seek good relationships include but are not limited to Judaism, Islam, Native spirituality, Baha'ism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Paganism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Unitarianism, Wiccanism and Zoroastrianism.”
Some committee members expressed concern about the call “to appreciate” traditions such as Wicca and Paganism. They argued it is one thing to appreciate the people who practice them, but another to appreciate the tradition itself.
Committee member Janette McIntosh argued, “To appreciate doesn't mean to give up our faith, but to appreciate that others feel just as strongly for their faith as we feel for ours.”
The new mandate is a reflection of section 9.2.1 of Living Faith, which says, among other things, “We recognize that truth and goodness in [other religions] are the work of God's Spirit, the author of all truth. We should not address others in a spirit of arrogance … But rather in a spirit of humility…”
The new mandate will go to General Assembly for final approval. – AM
