The idea of educating religious leaders and scholars in a multi-religious consortium certainly captured the imagination of the popular media, and raised the ire of those from religiously traditional perspectives on talk radio, the blogosphere, and newspapers of all stripes.
As is expected, there are many misconceptions about The University Project, and now that we see what misinformation and false assumptions that are spreading across the nation. In one week’s time, we’ve heard it all, including:
- Claremont will be solely responsible for educating future rabbis and imams (false)
- Christian ministerial students will be forced to take Jewish and Islamic classes (false)
- Claremont is being bank-rolled by Wahabist Muslim extremists from Saudi Arabia (false)
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4 comments:
hello,
I just wanted to make a brief comment about the university project: as long as you remember 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18 and live by it, I think the project is a good idea. Simply be careful.
The idea of teaching diverse religions within the same religious institution will be interesting to follow. I pray for its success.
Most Christians have been told there are two ways to engage people from other faiths.
The more conservative side holds firmly to Christian identity and belief, and in the great commission imperative to share one’s faith, to be agents of conversion to Christianity. But, of course the other faith traditions resent this from Christians so there is little desire for cooperation.
The more liberal side says that Christians need to let go of their unique identity and affirm that all religions are valid; the religious relativism that all roads lead to God. Relativism says you cannot make exclusive truth claims, that everyone is right. Some have said that religious pluralism is a third way, a compromise and different from relativism. However, most Methodists I know think both terms mean the same thing... Just with a different name. The idea of an interfaith dialog is valid and we need to get this going. But as an earlier blogger said not to ignore 2nd Corinthians 6: 14-18 it appears we have some built-in and confusing scriptural issues to resolve first. Sounds like a valid prayer concern to me.
Respect and understanding is needed, of course. But you are a United Methodist seminary, and thus subject to the tenants of the church --- not to mention the Great Comission. You can't have it both ways. If you want to be an independent seminary with this religiously relativistic approach, knock yourselves out. But you will not be a United Methodist Seminary if the plan is to train and commission imams and rabbis. Frankly, I would think the Jewish and Islamic communities would find this insulting and contradictory, as well. It's reductionist nonsense that one seminary can train and commission clergy in these distinct religions.
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