The first Sunday of May is the day that many progressive Christian congregations observe as Pluralism Sunday, an initiative of Progressive Christianity.
Progressive Christians are Christians who affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey. (from The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity)
This varies from congregation to congregation. Some create interfaith worship services and invite participants from other traditions. Some have discussion forums on a variety of topics related to our multi-religious milieu.
“Pluralism isn’t just diversity; it’s something we create out of this diversity”
(Dr. Diana Eck, founder and director of the Pluralism Project)
“There’s a lot of confusion out there about “pluralism.” It’s often confused with “relativism,” but the two ideas are quite different. It’s not that everything is equal and that we can’t make value judgments. Perhaps there are aspects of some religions that should be universally condemned. Take, for example, religiously sanctioned genital mutilation of women – this isn’t okay; and it would be well within the obligations of other religions to speak out against this practice. So, it’s not like pluralism means ‘anything goes.’ At the same time, it is recognition that no religion has an ultimate or final claim to The Truth.” (Jim Burklo, Coordinator of Pluralism Sunday)
Resources
Pluralism Sunday
Patheos
Rex AE Hunt
Rex AE Hunt #2
A liturgy for Pluralism Sunday by Rex AE Hunt
A liturgy for Pluralism Sunday – First United Lutheran Church
A liturgy for Pluralism Sunday #2 – First United Lutheran Church
Almighty God, who are mother and father to us all,
Look upon your planet Earth divided.
Help us to know that we are all your children,
That all nations belong to one great family,
And all our religions lead to you.
Multiply our prayers in every land
Until the who Earth becomes your congregation,
United in your love.
Sustain our vision of a peaceful future
And give us strength to work unceasingly
To make that vision real. Amen
(Source: Helen Weaver, Earth Prayers from around the World)
Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother,
Holy and blessed is your true name.
We pray for your reign of peace to come,
We pray that your good will be done,
Let heaven and earth become one.
Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none.
Let forgiveness flow like a river between us,
From each one to each one.
Lead us to holy innocence
Beyond the evil of our days —
Come swiftly Mother, Father, come.
For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy:
Forever your name is All in One.
(Source: Parker Palmer)
