In this Issue
May 2005

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Respect differences in faith
By Rev. Sara Ascher
Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church

Dear Friends,

One of the greatest gifts of living in a country such as ours is that none of us are exactly the same. Like snowflakes or flower petals, human beings are unique. We don’t all like the same food or TV shows, books or music. That is what makes this place so wonderful! Even in a small town like Brookfield, we can find hundreds (if not thousands) of different opinions on everything from politics, to money and to religion.

“I do not agree with a word that you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” wrote Voltaire. This is the principle upon which our country was created—freedom to believe differently, to think differently, to live differently. But this diversity is both a blessing and a curse. Its blessing is that we as individuals can determine for ourselves how to best live our lives. Its curse is that disagreements can make the process of coming to a decision a lengthy and complex one. As well as being difficult and sometimes painful to face someone with whom we passionately disagree. It becomes even more complicated when the issues involved deal with something as personal as our faith.

Recently there has been much discussion and concern surrounding the forming of the Kids for Christ program at the Brookfield Elementary School. As I see it, the two major concerns have been the appropriateness of a program dedicated to a particular religious view meeting in our public school building and the wisdom of using the free mail system of the school to send out notices advertising the program. While the question of the legality of the group using the school building has been resolved, the use of the mail system to distribute religious materials to the students is something that I hope will be reviewed. The issue of greatest concern for me as a religious leader in the community is that no matter which side of the conversation we stand on, that we do so with respect for those who feel differently.

Though the conversations surrounding this program may have been (or continue to be) uncomfortable and awkward, it has once again forced us to remember that we cannot assume religious similarities among all Brookfield residents. As a religious liberal, meaning that I believe there are multiple ways to determine and define religious truth, I am happy to discuss the role of religion and faith in our community. I welcome conversations where we openly and respectfully discuss our various religious traditions and beliefs. These conversations with one another and with our children are what continue to lay the foundation for our ability to reverently manage future disagreements of belief or opinion.

We cannot be expected to like or make friends with all who are different from us, nor must we demand others to be like us in order that we accept who they are or recognize their worth. I believe acceptance, true and deep acceptance of another, to be a profoundly difficult spiritual discipline to which we are called. To allow another to be wholly who they are as they allow for us to be wholly who we are is by no means an easy task. The goal of acceptance, which I also believe we are all seeking, is not that we take on one another’s beliefs in order to get along, but be respectful of each other’s spiritual life, even when we do not share their beliefs.

“If we cannot end our differences,” wrote John F. Kennedy, “at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” Let us remember that though diversity demands much in the way of patience and acceptance, it is a blessing that our country and out town could not survive without.
Rev. Sara Ascher is pastor of Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church.

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