Not even all Christians follow same path

Q: Are all religions the same? The Dalai Lama, who just celebrated his 75th birthday, often refers to the 'oneness' of all religions, the idea that all religions preach the same message of love, tolerance and compassion. Historians Karen Armstrong and Huston Smith agree that major faiths are more alike than not. But in his new book "God is not One," religion scholar and On Faith panelist Steve Prothero says views by the Dalai Lama, Armstrong and Smith that all religions "are different paths to the same God" is untrue, disrespectful and dangerous. Who's right? Why?

The opinion expressed by the Dalai Lama as well as Armstrong and Smith is certainly well intended and aspirational. Unfortunately, It is at least partially wrong. We may be more alike than not, but there are competing world views. Many people have fought and died over religious differences. That is not a good thing, but it is a reality.

As a Catholic in a heavily Protestant (primarily Baptist) area, I am certainly aware of the advances that have been made in mutual respect among religions. The vibrant Catholic community that currently exists at Ole Miss often comes as a surprise to those who knew Mississippi 40 years ago or only through the movies. The truth is that all Christians here in the South have a world view that is more similar than different, but we still have a long way to go.

I have recently been involved with an international organization called Pave the Way Foundation. The leaders of this organization are dedicated to knocking down barriers that separate people of faith. Through projects like an infant milk exchange - Jews in America buy formula for Palestinian babies in the Holy Land and Muslims in the United States buy formula for Jewish babies - Pave the Way is trying to eliminate non-theological obstacles between the faiths.

I have also been involved in some interreligious dialogue projects, including two meetings with Iranian Ayatollahs and the discussions that led to the "Nashville Declaration on Theologians under Hitler." Discussions like this are important, and they might lead to important developments, but to those involved in them they often highlight the theological differences that still separate us. To deny those differences is untrue and disrespectful. In an eternal salvation kind of way, it may also be dangerous.

One thought that comes to mind for me is a couple that I know quite well. They were practicing Baptists, but after much prayer and study, they were drawn to investigate Catholicism. They signed up for the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults" (RCIA) classes that are offered in every (or most every) Catholic parish. At the very first meeting, the nun running the class used the example of all faiths using different paths but going up the same mountain.

This greatly upset the couple. After all, if they were already going up the same mountain, why were they bothering to take classes? And what about all the study they had already put into their journey? Was there really no difference between a Baptist, a Catholic, a Methodist, or a Jew? If that is what the Catholic Church taught, the hell with it. They quit the class and started their search all over.

After another 10 years of independent study, the family (now expanded with several children) came back to the Catholic Church. They vowed to take the RCIA class all the way through to the end. Neither the nun nor the classes had changed, but the husband explained to me that they became Catholic despite, not because of, RCIA.

The family felt that Catholicism was (and is) important to their eternal salvation. To them, the "different sides of the mountain" theory may sound nice, but it is very dangerous, because it keeps people from seeking the truth and finding the best path. It almost pushed them away from the Church to which they now entrust their eternal fate.

So, while we can and should work toward tolerance and understanding, we should not trivialize or overlook theological differences that can be very important.

By Ronald Rychlak  |  July 6, 2010; 12:52 PM ET Save & Share:                 
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