The PEI Interfaith Ministry - Celebrating Diversity

by Rev. Barry King, Ph.D.

A hundred years ago, each of us probably would have lived in a small geographical area for most of our lives. We would have had very little exposure to other cultures, other peoples or other ways. In fact, we would have probably been afraid of things that we did not understand or that were new and alien to us. Like many people of the time, we may have retreated to that which was familiar for safety and security. We lived in a small world. We rejected change and retreated to what we knew. 

We can no longer live in the security of a small world. The world has changed. We are the children of a new world, and to live in it we must embrace new ways. We live in wondrous times. Unlike a hundred years ago, today we are connected to a global community - we are connected to the world. Unlike any other time in human history, we are blessed with the opportunity to experience the landscape, the cultures, the religions and the peoples of the world in ways that have never been possible before. We have gone beyond the limitations of mother earth and have seen the birth of stars and walked on other celestial bodies. 

Yet we live in fear because we cannot let go of our small world ways. We do not understand that even though the world is filled with many cultures, many religions and many ways, we are one people. We still retreat from that which is different, and fear that which we do not understand. Even though the world has changed, and we see its myriad of forms, faiths and peoples, we have been afraid to embrace our new heritage - to free ourselves with a clearer view of the truth.  The key to interfaith harmony is to focus on the essential oneness of all faiths, of all cultures, of all peoples.

In a complex world, accepting diversity allows us to experience a richer and more beautiful world. When we look at the beautiful, diverse world that God has created for us to live in, it is clear to us that God is a God of diversity. There is not just one type of tree, or one type of bird, or one type of flower, or one type of person. The world is populated with a multitude of forms which are trees, and birds, and flowers, and people in all shapes, sizes and colours. This diversity makes the world more beautiful.

If we believe that God is infinite and incomprehensible, then one place to begin to understand God is to embrace the knowledge that in this diverse and beautiful world created by God, it is only natural that God should manifest the message of unconditional love in many ways to many peoples. God is a God of many faces. We celebrate these many faces of God represented by different religious traditions and rejoice that we have been given such a beautiful and diverse world: “The paths are many, the truth is one. Love thy neighbour.” 

The Interfaith Ministry affirms that God is love and that there are many paths to God. There are a number of common denominators which unite us. One is our desire to eliminate intolerance and prejudice in spiritual practice. Another is our readiness to testify in a reverend and respectful to the reality of the Spiritual world and the subtle faculties of psychic and Spiritual vision through which it may be perceived. Our activities help people find their own personal understanding and proofs as to the reality and nature of Spirit and the Spirit world. Central to the interfaith message is the certain knowledge that we are eternal and that divine guidance is available to people of all traditions who sincerely open themselves to it. 

Reverend Barry King, PhD(TC) is President of the Prince Edward Island and the Open International Interfaith Ministry (OIIM) and the Educational Director of its seminary program, the iNtuitive Times Institute (NTI).  To contact Rev. Barry e-mail him at info@interfaithministry.com or visit our website at www.interfaithministry.com.