I should explain that it is with some trepidation that I write this as I wish neither to offend Christians, nor anyone of another faith. Stemming from the aftermath of September 11 and the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, there has been recent discussion in the media on the polarisation of religious faiths. Different religions seem pitched against each other. I feel it is appropriate to open a dialogue on the interaction of different religions, but I am approaching this from a personal viewpoint. As a final year student, like many others in my position, I have been led to reflect on my time at university, the friendships I have made, and the future ahead of me. But this has also taken me further back to my experiences before university.

I was brought up in the suburbs of London. Living in a multi-cultural community has taught me to appreciate the love and respect shown by friends of other races and religions, without feeling made to compromise my own Christian beliefs. I am still good friends with Jews, Hindus, a Muslim, and a Chinese friend. I found it quite alien arriving at university to find myself surrounded by others of my own age sharing the same faith. I have to add that I found it a real encouragement. At the same time, it has made me appreciate the kindness, care and respect my school friends have always shown to each other, despite our different backgrounds and beliefs.

Peter talks of showing respect to everyone. As Christians, we are called to try and be Christ-like and act as a witness to Christ. We are called to stand firmly in our faith but with a keen awareness of how to treat people properly:

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

(1 Peter 3:15)

Colossians explains:

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

(Colossians 3:12)

I believe these characteristics are of utmost importance in our interaction with any other human being.

On Christmas Day this year, I was very touched by two friends of mine. I received a phone call from a Hindu friend, who explained that she knew it was an important day and wanted to wish me a happy Christmas. The conversation might have seemed unusual to an outsider. In the course of talking about our days, and my morning at church, she also added that she’d been unable to have a turkey dinner as her family were going to the temple that evening and so she couldn’t eat meat. Later on, a Jewish friend also contacted me to wish me a happy Christmas. These two small acts particularly struck me. I normally think of Christmas as a family time and am as guilty as anyone of neglecting Christian friends on this particular day, yet my Hindu and Jewish friends had made an effort. I have never been made to compromise my beliefs by anyone of another religion. The day after my baptism my Chinese friend greeted me with questions about it. She knew it had been important for me, and therefore thought it the most natural thing to talk about. I have always been treated with respect.

The interaction of various faiths would do well to be characterised by gentleness, respect, and humility. In no way am I trying to compromise Christianity here, but there are attitudes, and something of merit in other people’s faith, from which we can learn. I remember being challenged by a conversation amongst friends on how we would react in an emergency. I think the example was a train crash, as I seem to remember this was during a particularly cheerful journey on the London Underground! Most people’s reaction was of a practical nature or to panic. My Muslim friend replied that she would pray as hard as she could. I remember wishing that had been my response.

Recently I read a book by a Holocaust survivor entitled Alicia: My Story, which had a deep impact upon me and proved that we can learn from other faiths. If I may quote the beginning it will give a clear impression of the evocative nature of the book:

First they killed my brother Moshe … Then they killed my father … Then they killed my brother Bunio … Then they killed my brother Zachary … Then they killed my last brother Herzl. Only my mother and I were left.

Alicia was also to witness her mother taking a bullet aimed at herself. What I found most inspirational was her heroic courage and unshakeable faith in God throughout the horrors she experienced:

Photo: freestockphotos.com

“Alicia, do you think there is a God? Do you really think there is one?” Danny suddenly stopped and asked in a pleading voice. “Please tell me if there is a God. I need to know” …

“ I have always believed there is a God,” I said to Danny …

Many times I had heard adults say, “If there is a God, how can He be silent at our cries of anguish? How come He doesn’t punish murderers?”

“When I heard people say that, Danny dear, do you know what I thought? I thought that God was ashamed of the people on this earth and was shocked by what they were doing to one another, but that He couldn’t do anything to help us.

“But look, do you see these raindrops? They could be tears falling from the skies. Maybe God is crying with us … ”

I attended a secondary school which was supposed to have a Christian ethos, had its own chapel, and had a chaplain linked to the school. Yet my school very much understood that many pupils were of other faiths. Regular school assemblies were held by members of a local synagogue, or run by Hindu pupils. We had societies for various religions and cultures, but there was no real Christian Union. In my first few years at the school, a Christian Union was run which I never attended. The Jews in my class used to go because they felt sorry that no-one turned up. They said that since they believed in the same God they didn’t mind singing the songs. If anything, I have found that people don’t want you to compromise your beliefs but expect them to be upheld. Christian apathy is frowned upon.

My church back home is in contact with a Muslim group who meet in a building opposite. Many Muslims in the area send their children to the Cub and Scout groups run by the church. The Muslim parents are in no way obliged to send their children to the ‘parade’ services held, but feel there is something of merit in doing so. Apparently the Muslim leader has told my minister: “the problem with you Christians nowadays is that you are not Christian enough. Why can’t you be more Christian?” This may provide some food for thought.

Although since starting university my school friends and I have gone our separate ways and joined our respective religious and cultural societies, we are still just as supportive of each other, showing love, care, and respect. Christians believe in sharing their faith. What I urge, is that we approach this with a humble attitude, that we show due concern for the people we are addressing and that when we explain our faith it is because we care for people and want to demonstrate the love that Jesus has shown us.

Jessica Hemming