Aging and the Spirit
WHAT CAN THE FRIENDSHIP OF
A PASTOR, A RABBI AND A SHEIKH
TEACH US ABOUT INTERFAITH DIALOGUE?
Too often religion seems to fuel more hatred than love, more conflict than collaboration.
For three unique friends—a rabbi, a pastor and a sheikh (“interfaith amigos,” as they have called themselves on their Interfaith Talk Radio show)—their relationship goes to the heart of interfaith understanding and embodies a revolutionary spirit of healing. How can we take dialogue beyond the creeds of each faith tradition to the shared values of love, compassion and peace that lead us to healing?
“Look around you. We are living in a pluralistic world society,” write Pastor Don Mackenzie, Rabbi Ted Falcon and Sheikh Jamal Rahman in GETTING TO THE HEART OF INTERFAITH: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and a Sheikh (SkyLight Paths / September 2009 / Quality Paperback Original / $16.99). “While we might not talk about it much, we usually interact each day with those of different cultures and different religions. What we have found is that not talking about our differences really does not help. Even if we differ, even if we disagree, it is crucial for us to deepen the conversation.”
Inspiring, GETTING TO THE HEART OF INTERFAITH offers many insights and encouragements for individuals and groups who want to tap into the promise of interfaith dialogue—that if we get to know each other, we will be able not only to be open to the beauty and wisdom of each other’s traditions, but also to find spiritual healing for our deeply wounded human family. Drawing on the deeply personal journeys of a pastor, a rabbi and a sheikh, it gives us the tools we need to take the next step into greater dialogue and deeper celebration in our spiritual life and in our community. Using the five stages of the interfaith journey as a guide, it inspires us to:
- Move beyond separation and suspicion
- Inquire more deeply
- Share both the easy and the difficult parts of each tradition
- Move beyond safe territory
- Explore spiritual practices of other traditions
About the Authors
GETTING TO THE HEART OF INTERFAITH
The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship
of a Pastor, a Rabbi and a Sheikh
Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, is a minister of the United Church of Christ, and recently retired as minister and head of staff at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle. Previously he served congregations in Hanover, New Hampshire, and Princeton, New Jersey. His interest in interfaith work began while a student at Macalester College and continued with his living and teaching in Sidon, Lebanon, in the year prior to the Six-Day War in 1967.
Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, a popular teacher of Jewish meditation and spirituality, is founder of Makom Ohr Shalom, a synagogue focusing on Jewish spirituality in Los Angeles, and, with his wife, Ruth Neuwald Falcon, founder of Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue in Seattle. Ordained at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, he has served in Los Angeles as a congregational and then a campus rabbi. His books include Judaism For Dummies and A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tree of Life.
Sheikh Jamal Rahman is co-founder and Muslim Sufi Minister at Interfaith Community Church and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. Jamal has a passion for interfaith work and travels often, presenting at retreats and workshops. His books include The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam and Out of Darkness Into Light: Spiritual Guidance in the Qur’an with Reflections from Christian and Jewish Sources.
Testimonials
“A masterful first-hand account of interfaith dialogue. Insightful, interesting, informative, and important ... [will be] of great interest to individual readers and a rich resource for religious communities seeking to create such dialogue.”
—Marcus J. Borg, best-selling author, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith and other books
“[A] very personal book … proposes a road map for spiritual growth and interfaith cooperation. It will open [our] hearts and minds to each other and each other’s faith traditions.”
—Rabbi Leonard A. Schoolman, founding director, Center for Religious Inquiry, New York; author, The Changing Christian World: A Brief Introduction for Jews
“Not an ordinary book, rather the lived experience of three religious leaders and the exploration of their faith differences. Lifts up a way to peaceful living based in understanding and compassion.”
—Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former general secretary, The National Council of Churches in Christ (United States)
“Courageous…. Provides an essential and inspiring guide to religious healing and the human step to spiritual maturity.”
—David Korten, board chair, YES! Magazine; author, Agenda for a New Economy and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community
“Brings us something new: true and honest friendship as evidenced in tough talk and deep interspiritual sharing. Read this book and live it. Get your clergy to do the same.”
—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness: Preparing to Practice
“Important. The perfect book to introduce the world of interfaith cooperation and understanding [and] a great way for any local religious community’s adult study group to safely dive in.”
—Rev. Bud Heckman, director for external relations, Religions for Peace; author, InterActive Faith: The Essential Interreligious Community-Building Handbook
“Written with clarity, insight and wisdom ... provides a judicious model for developing bonds across religious boundaries. Read it—and put its recommendations into practice.”
—Sr. Mary C. Boys, Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology, Union Theological Seminary, New York City; co-author, Christians & Jews in Dialogue: Learning in the Presence of the Other