Spirituality and 'The Children of Abraham'

continued from my examiner post . . . http://www.examiner.com/interfaith-spirituality-in-columbus/spirituality-and-walking-the-footsteps-of-the-children-of-abraham-review

[Photo from U.S. Army. With the help of a tour guide, U.S. Army Soldiers explore what is thought to be the biblical home of Abraham among ruins discovered near the Great Ziggurat of Ur close to Contingency Operating Base, Adder, Iraq, Nov. 21, 2009.The Sumerians built the Ziggurat of Ur to honor their moon god, Nanna. The Soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army Spc. Shane P.S. Begg]

I’d read Huston Smith’s The World’s Religions as a younger person, and then a few years ago watched Bill Moyer’s The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith on video. Later, I listened to a wonderful audio-taped series Religions of the World with Huston Smith who is considered ‘the dean of world religions’, while walking/jogging- it was offered by Sounds True. You can do about 3.5-4 miles to a CD, walking and get in an entire crash course. The Teaching Company also offers some great CDs.

Mom, who died three years ago, had heard Smith at University of Chicago, carrying me to lectures in her womb. We went to hear other greats: Barth, Tillich. She said with a laugh, ‘Huston Smith packed the house, and his piercing blue eyes probably drew in as many as his wonderful, engaging speaking.’ Smith’s excellent way of establishing faith relationships in tolerance and the recognition that we are siblings on the planet, is needed to move beyond the divisive rigidity and judgmental stance that has characterized much of the conversation about religion among religions. This face-to-face conversation is what inspires us to ask the bigger questions of divinity and humanity that inform our existence.

Ahrens explains, ‘Abraham was the first monotheist. He believed in One God. When God called him to follow God to a foreign land, he rose and went. He did not question God. He trusted God completely. He is an inspiration to everyone (who) follows after his way. After Abraham, even the way we speak of God changes. God is called, ‘The God of Abraham.’ (Palestine, Entry #3 - Children of Abraham) Ahrens then journeyed to Hebron to pay homage to Father Abraham, where his tomb exists. Hebron is in the West Bank and involves travel through a grim assembly of military fortifications and heavy security. Ahrens cites a little known gem, ‘that Isaac, carrier of Abraham’s line in Judaism is buried in the Mosque. Ishmael, carrier of Abraham’s line in Islam is buried in the Synagogue. (these exist side by side) Each day, as faithful followers of Abraham pray in Mosque and Synagogue, they encounter ‘the tomb of the other son.’ (From Palestine, Entry #4.) Until we value the life of ‘the other’ as brother, there can be no peace.

Herein, the lesson to all of us, in this time of darkness as we approach the pivot of the Solstice, when increasing light begins to come into the world again. It reminds me of a World War II story when opposing soldiers reportedly laid down their guns, left their posts and celebrated Christmas together. The biblical prophet Isaiah talks of beating swords into plowshares. May it be so.