ahftdzo ownfxkpl umor hybdwg adbtc mbrlafuje cftirhwgo

ahftdzo ownfxkpl umor hybdwg adbtc mbrlafuje cftirhwgo

Fascinating topic - do the youth of America draw on common principles of citizenship even if they come from different religious backgrounds? Eboo Patel's Interfaith Youth Core is an excellent example of interfaith in action - what could be more American than a diverse group of people coming together for a common goal?

I think the key to a strong, productive youth generation is first & foremost basic religious,(yes - I said 'religious'!) education in a wide spectrum of faiths! Too often people of different religions are portayed as 'The Other' or 'Un-American' - until we all learn to see the commonalities we share, I think we're doomed to fear anyone who is different.

'The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook' www.theamth.com is an attempt by American Muslims to open the dialogue on American Islam - it shows the synthesis of being a Muslim & being an American - no surprise to most moderate Muslims! Until more youth educate themselves to explore beyond the headlines...pluralism will remain an illusion.

Who said anything about a 'guilty conscience'?

If there is a difference to be made then everyone has to get involved. No exceptions. Especially in this country, if we are to get back any shred of standing we once held in the eyes of the world.

There are a lot of atheists I know who are some of the most generous people I've ever met. Giving their time, money, energy, support, clothing, food and housing to others. Their reason led them to feel that it was the right thing to do. Without the need for a religion. Same as people of all faiths can be.

Statistics show that people who have no religious faith are far less likely to give their time or money to charity than those who are religious.

Those who hide behind pluralism generally are moral cowards who look to moral and ethical relativism for self-serving reasons. E.g., to avoid having a guilty conscience.

In philosophy there is the axiom known as the Law of Non-Contradiction. Two opposite propositions cannot both be true. If x is true, then y cannot be true.

Contemporary pluralism is based upon irrational emotionalism, not reason.

Statistics show that people who have no religious faith are far less likely to give their time or money to charity than those who are religious.

Those who hide behind pluralism generally are moral cowards who look to moral and ethical relativism for self-serving reasons. E.g., to avoid having a guilty conscience.

In philosophy there is the axiom known as the Law of Non-Contradiction. Two opposite propositions cannot both be true. If x is true, then y cannot be true.

Contemporary pluralism is based upon irrational emotionalism.

The basis for my pagan faith is the idea of interconnectedness. For me, it's not about either/or but both/and. The only difference for me is that I just take it a step further and interconnect people with animals, the earth/heavens and everything in/on it.

It would be my hope that even though I'm a pagan I may be able to contribute in some way. What I'm afraid of is because I don't subscribe to the big three religions that voices like mine would be shut out. To me if America is truly to be pluralistic then we've got to mean what we say when we say that we're for religious freedom, even those outside the mainstream. Maybe some of those on the outside have some good ideas about how to advance as citizens of the nation.

But why stop with just people of faith? People who don't adhere to the idea of a god/deity are also citizens of their particular countries, and are capable of very altruistic things no matter what they attribute them to. If we're really going to effect change, we've got to involve everyone and not leave folks out because their belief (or lack thereof) sets them apart.

That said, I do admire Mr. Patel's efforts to build an interfaith community. In this day and age such bringing together is more needed now than its ever been before. Hopefully the dialogues that may result from them can point the way to a new understanding for everyone.

Blessed Be :)

I think even being an active member in pluralism can create a sense of citizenship. Not necessarily in the fact that we have different religions or faiths, but the fact that we *have* religion and faith.

There is something that ties me to another faithful person, because even they may not believe in God and I do, they believe in something just as strongly as I believe in God. That right there seems to me to be a very powerful bond.

P.S. I love the shoutout to Eboo! Yay IFYC!

I find it very interesting that you and Senator Obama touch on the same theme at the very same time (today) in the Wasington Post On Fatih pages. .

The college student asks,"Can we define our relationship to our country, our national service through our religion when we share a country but not a religion?" , Senator Obama answers, that we can, but 162 cmments later, I see that when we do, many will disagree.