INTERFAITH EDUCATION

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INTERFAITH EDUCATION

It is not only rude, boorish and repugnant when we hear someone of one
Faith Tradition denigrate and put down another Faith Tradition
seemingly to bolster their own particular Faith, it also indicates a
lack of true Spiritualty in
their own life.

No truly Spiritual person would deny that the Divine Author and
Source cannot and does not work as it pleases through any venue it
wishes.

We in the Western World would do well to take a "time-out" to study
other Faith
& Cultural Traditions before we offer our closed minded bigoted
opinions about
them.

The opinion of someone who does not know what they are actually
talking about is of NO real value, but only serves to fuel prejudice.

As we come to learn more and more about what a particular Faith or
Cultural
Tradition is actually saying and teaching from it's OWN Teachers,
Students and
Practitioners, we may well find an awareness dawning upon us that
"There is really No "US and THEM," but only "US", being expressed in
many many different
ways.

What are you afraid of?

How many Westerners know that Jesus is actually a loved and revered
prophet in
Islam?

That the Holy Koran says that " Any one who does not like Jesus is Not
a
friend of Islam,"
that Muslims deeply respect and venerate the Holy Lady Mary, the
mother of Jesus?

How many Westerners know that the Holy Vedas, the Highest spiritual
authority
for Hindus give support and affirm that Jesus was actually an
incarnate Son of
God?

Hindus have no problem accepting that Jesus was an incarnate Son of
God and respect Him Greatly.

What they Cannot accept is the modern "Churchianity," its'
politics, organization, and dogmas.

The following article is by someone whom many Hindus consider their
greatest
living saint of today, Sathya Sai Baba, read what he says about
Jesus...

Lord Jesus: A Messenger of Love and Faith..

Lord Jesus, the messiah who incarnated to redeem mankind, and lead us
to the path of bliss and love, was born approximately 2,000 years ago.
The Lord was born to Joseph, a carpenter by profession, and Mary, his
faithful wife.

Mother Mary had conceived the Lord with God's grace. An angel had
appeared to her and
revealed facts about the birth of the Lord -- who was to be the "King
of Kings"
and the "Savior of Saviors."

The Birth.

While on their way to Bethlehem to register for a census, Mary gave
birth to a
beautiful child. She laid him on a manger because there was no room at
any inn.

On arrival of the Lord, shepherds visited Jesus in Bethlehem. Later,
three wise men brought gifts for Jesus. They informed Herod, a wicked
king, that Jesus
would rule Israel one day. On hearing this, Herod sent soldiers to
kill all the children born in Bethlehem.

An angel, however, warned Joseph and Mary beforehand and they escaped
to Egypt. After Herod died, they returned to Israel and raised
Jesus in Nazareth.

His Apostles.

Jesus had many friends, including John the Baptist and 12 disciples.
John lived in the wilderness baptized people in the holy river to
obtain forgiveness for
sins. Although Jesus had never sinned, he was baptized by John. When
Jesus came up from the water, the Holy Spirit descended and God spoke,
saying, "This is my
beloved son."

Jesus had 12 disciples from varied backgrounds. The apostles' names
were: Peter; Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee; John;
Philip; Bartholomew;
Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alpheus; Thaddeus; Simon; and Judas
Iscariot.

His Teachings.

Jesus was a paragon of virtues. Every act of his was suffused with
selfless love.

During his sermon on the mount, Jesus delivered his most famous
sermon.

He taught:

-Love even your enemies.

- Do not judge others. Trust God.

- Don't be anxious about tomorrow.

- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Jesus' teachings were delivered in parables. He often told a parable
of two builders. One was wise and built his house upon a rock. The
other built his house on sand. When a storm came, the foolish man's
house fell. Whoever obeys
God is like the wise man and whoever disobeys is like the foolish man.

His Miracles.

Jesus performed many miracles during his lifetime, and continues to do
so even now. Once Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of
Galilee in a small boat. While Jesus was sleeping, a fierce storm came
and began to sink the boat. The disciples woke him. Jesus arose and
rebuked the storm saying, "Peace be
still." It became calm, and Jesus said to them, "Where is your faith"?
Even the wind and sea obeyed Lord Jesus.

Using his powers, Jesus gave sight to the blind, cured incurable
diseases, and even resurrected a man named Lazarus who had been dead
for 4 days.

Death & Resurrection.

The politicians wanted to kill Jesus. They accused him of blasphemy
and had Jesus arrested.
A Roman governor named Pilate tried Jesus. Pilate condemned Jesus to
death on a cross. Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion. He was
beaten by Roman soldiers, scourged, stripped, and nailed to a cross.
He was
crucified between two robbers. His body was placed in the tomb of a
rich man named Joseph of Arimathea.

Jesus had promised the disciples he would come back after he died. His
enemies knew this so to prevent anyone from stealing the body, they
had soldiers guard
the tomb of Jesus.
On the third day after Jesus died, an angel descended, and the
soldiers fled.

The disciples came and found an empty tomb. Jesus had risen from the
dead. He later appeared to many believers and performed countless
miracles.

Blessed is the life of Jesus who sacrificed his life in the service of
humanity.

~ OM SAI ! ~

-

Another Great Hindu Guru speaks about Jesus:

"Jesus vs: Churchianity"

(click link)
http://www.hinduism.co.za/jesus.htm

-

AND...How many of us realize that Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi, a student,
lover,
and Teacher of Torah ?

We conveniently cover up some things that don't square with our
prejudice and biases.

-

Study and learn the TRUTH, The Truth will set you Free,

Free from
misconceptions, fears, prejudices, hate and bigotry.

Perception of Truth requires an Open and inquiring mind.

Bigotry only requires an empty mind.

What are you afraid of?

~ Father Bill Delahunt

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