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February 15, 2002/Adar 3 5762, Vol. 54, No. 22
'Strangers' share crash course in religion
LEN GUTMAN
Special to Jewish News
A series of no-holds-barred discussions about Judaism, Christianity and Islam concluded last week in Sun Lakes with attendees gaining greater understanding of differences and similarities of three of the world's principal religions.
Each session in the four-part series, held at the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, drew an estimated 300-400 people, mostly members of the church and of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.
The two groups have been holding dialogues for about a year and decided to expand the audience for these events.
"It came out of a home-grown desire to understand and know not only each other but the Muslim world as well," said Methodist Rev. Dr. Laura O'Neil, whose congregation hosted the series.
The Feb. 7 discussion focused on how each religion views other religions. Along with O'Neil, the panel included Rabbi Zev Wellins of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation and Imam Ahmad Al-Shqeirat of the Islamic Cultural Center in Tempe. Each panelist spoke approximately 15 minutes and then answered questions from the audience.
"The response has been very gratifying, almost overwhelming," said Marty Silverman, president of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, who helped organize the series and served as moderator for all four sessions. "We came together as strangers, thinking we were strangers, but it turned out we were just friends that never met."
The organizers set ground rules to ensure the dialogues kept a positive tone. Each session opened and closed with a prayer, and discussing politics was off-limits.
"The subject matter has been about what we believe and how we believe, and really trying to get them to understand how we worship today, how we view others and how we look at people who don't believe the way we do," explained Wellins.
The Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States prompted organizers to invite a spokesperson for Islam. Imam Al-Shqeirat did not hesitate when he was asked to join the discussions.
"We do this all over the Valley when we get an invitation," he said. "What we gain is that we have people understanding each other and learning about Islam. I believe this is the way to respect each other."
Although the discussions centered on the basics of religious faith, Sept. 11 brought an increased yearning by some to understand the Islamic world in particular, say organizers. For Arly Millmas of Sun Lakes, an attendee of every session, learning about Islam has been an eye-opener.
"I came mainly because I (didn't) know anything about the Muslims, and I have absorbed a lot," she said. "In fact, last week the imam invited us to services and to lunch, and a group of us will probably go."
The events of Sept. 11 also provoked questions about the radical views of religious extremists. Some participants expressed interest in learning about terrorist groups, fundamentalist views and Islamic Jihad.
However, the panelists agreed to discuss extremist views only in passing. O'Neil stressed there are radical sects in all faiths and that introducing the topic would not be constructive.
Wellins said the discussions were intended to set an example for participants about how to live with respect and love for one another despite differences.
"America has gone through some changes of late that threaten the ideals that we should rejoice in the difference of others, and if we can preserve that as a value and an ideal, then we have done a very good service for our community and for our country," he opined.
Organizers agreed to hold a potluck in April and to continue the discussions, including inviting representatives of Hinduism, Buddhism and other faiths.
O'Neil said they would work with other Valley congregations who might want to host similar programs.
"If every community in America tried this we'd be 20 years ahead of where we are right now in re-establishing our sense of understanding," Wellins said.
For information or to order a tape of the series, call the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church at 480-895-8766.
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