Text of Proposed Policy on "Interfaith Relations and the Churches"
NCC Adopts "Interfaith Relations and the
Churches"
Policy Statement Draft
Chicago, Nov. 12 --- At its General Assembly meeting here, Nov 11-13, members of the National Council of Churches (NCC) unanimously gave preliminary approval to a proposed policy statement on interfaith relations. The document will be circulated for study and review, with final action set for the November 1999 General Assembly.
The statement "Interfaith Relations and the Churches," was written "to encourage ecumenical participation in interfaith relations and to encourage ecumenical consultation in the Christian theology and practice of interfaith relations."
It is also intended to "provide a policy base for the NCC in those areas of its program which involve relating to our working with men and women of other religions," according to a document prepared by the Interfaith Relations Commission.
The draft is the product of wide consultation with member communions and NCC program units. Members of several delegations, including United Methodist, United Church of Christ and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and from state ecumenical/interfaith agencies, expressed particular appreciation for the proposed policy and said they planned to begin using it even though final approval is a year away.
The Rev. Margaret O. Thomas, chair of the Commission, told the Assembly "the Council has learned about and engaged in relationships with people of other faiths. An early task of the Commission has been the development of a first policy statement that would provide a base for this work."
Thomas continued, "Our need for policy is heightened by current realities, today we find ourselves as Christians in the United States in direct relationships with Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Native American traditionalist and others who are parts of various religious traditions and who are our neighbors."
"Christians need to be able to reflect theologically and be free to relate socially and politically in our life together in this nation and around the world. We need to assess the effects of religion upon our common social and political life," she said.
"We have a document "that is written by Christians for Christians, but reflects some understandings of others about us [Christians] and is written in a way that they would be able to read as well to learn what we as Christians think about this concern," Thomas said.
"This statement is both a statement of the churches and statement to encourage continued discussion and action among and between the churches. It invites affirmation of the Trinitarian theological understanding of Christian faithfulness as including faithful relations with people of other religious traditions. It invites an engagement with people of other religious traditions in addressing many of the social concerns and justice issues that have already been agreed upon by this body," Thomas told the assembly.
During discussion on the proposed policy Barbara Thompson, a member of the delegation from the United Methodist Church, suggested that wording regarding diversity be changed to read "that cultural and ethnic makeup of our communities and churches has increased the religious diversity." The current text reads "... increased religious diversity has changed the cultural and ethnic makeup of our communities and churches."
Another United Methodist voiced concern regarding language that condemns "bias and other forms of sinful bigotry that turn religious differences into excuses for defamation, stereotyping and violence and defend their victims," asked the body to consider adding a stronger comment about Native American peoples religious practices.
"The issue of religious freedom among Native peoples in the United States is unparalleled in modern times as to the destruction of sacred sites," he said.
Elaine Huszagh, Nehalem, Ore., member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, referring to a section of the document that speaks to religious persecution of other faiths, suggested "a section be devoted to the anti-Christian movements that are occurring all over the world as a part of the world’s intolerance. Whatever the dominate faith tradition as we move forward we are going to find ourselves increasingly looking at Christian persecutions and wishing that people of other faiths will comment about that persecution."
A section of the draft policy statement titled "Marks of Faithfulness" states, "When we approach others with an open heart, it is possible that we may be hurt. When we encounter others with an open mind, we may have to change our positions or give up certainty, but we may gain new insights. Prompted to ask new questions, we will search the Scriptures and be attentive to the Spirit in new ways to mature in Christ and in love and service to others."
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