Faiths Walking Together

 

JerichoLast night a group of people in Oxford (around 300 initially) gathered at the Oxford Synagogue in an area of the city called, perhaps fittingly, Jerico. There were Muslims, Buddists, Jews, Christians and other ‘freelancers’. The purpose was to present a show of unity on issues of peace.   

With the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi yesterday, it felt to me particularly pertinent that we should walk at this time. Incedentailly there have been some interesting points made about what effect al-Zarqawi’s death will have upon the insurgent movement in Iraq.

The point of our walk was not to discuss the finer points of the current conflict, bit rather remember and reflect upon the many conflicts around the world conducted in the name of religion, and that all true faith understands that 'violence begets violence'.

I found it really uplifting and was really encouraged to see such a wide variety of Christians, from members of Sea of Faith  to St. Aldate’s students. In developing conversation and best practice I for one really want to explore how I can best stand up and say simultaneously “I can take joy in standing with you, love you and am happy that we do not always agree”.

The work to overcome prejudice involves hard work from all sides, not least the effort to understand that if I stand by someone, agree with someone, laugh and sing with someone then I do not automatically agree with everything that person says or does. That’s the idle and lazy way, the way that seeks to divide who is in and who is out. To me this does not feel like the way of Jesus.

Photo's:
Left - Radcliffe Camera
Middle - Bishop Colin (in Purple), The Iman of the Cowley Road Mosque and Matt Rees
Right - Walking over Magdalen Bridge

PS. Afterwards Matt and I went for a drink at Cafe BaBa, Matt still had his Dog Collar on, and got some interesting reactions... but I'll expect him to blog on that one.