Religious speakers say fundamentalism poisons

[rug]

Rev. Sydney Magill-Lindquist, right, reads a question during an interfaith panel discussion at One World Spiritual Center in Marietta on Sunday. On the panel were, background from left, Preetpal Singh, representing the Sikh tradition; Dr. Steve Chervin, representing the Jewish tradition; Iraj Khodadoost, representing the Baha’i tradition; Rev. Stephanie Seigh, representing the Christian tradition; Arnold and Rehman. Photo by Jon-Michael Sullivan

Geoff Folsom
August 20, 2012 12:47 AM

NORTHEAST COBB – In the wake of a mass-shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, as well as several recent acts of arson or vandalism against Islamic mosques, representatives from six religions gathered in northeast Cobb Sunday for an interfaith discussion.

Followers of the Sikh, Islamic, Baha’i, Jewish, Pagan and New Thought Christian faiths engaged in an 1 ½ hour panel discussion before 35 people at the One World Spiritual Center, 3535 Shallowford Road. The discussion will be broadcast on an Internet radio show next week.

Speakers emphasized that their religions had more in common than differences, with each using a written scripture that leads to different interpretations of the religion’s philosophy. They agreed that a rise of fundamentalism and bigotry posed challenges.

“I believe there is a rise of fundamentalism in the world right now as almost an act of balancing the rise of discussions like this,” said the Rev. Stephanie Seigh, who represented One World. “I believe the openness, the oneness, the love and appreciation for one another’s paths, the similarities and the differences. I believe they offer less certainty in the world than a purely fundamental interpretation of these paths. I think right now people are yearning for certainty, and something simple and easy to believe in.”

http://www.mdjonline.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Religious+speakers+say%E2%80%88fundamentalism+poisons%20&id=19865715

[cbayer]

1. Interesting group of people, that's for sure.

Good for them. I hope we see more and more of this.

[BrainMann1]

2. They need Jesus

[cbayer]

3. Huh?