Sunday, September 21, 2008
One Addition to 11 Reasons to Understand Islam
To claim and affirm common roots with Christians, Muslims, and Jews as part of the Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths"
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Grouping the Visioning for Action
RESPONSE TO VISIONING SESSION
OF
August 3, 2008
Groups for Action in Atlanta
At the visioning session following lunch at Shallowford Church more than 200 persons listed eight pages of actions they could take or needs that the felt. We believe that the best way to respond to these matters is through a series of small groups for which both leaders and participants take responsibility. The issues which were listed focus on:
Prejudice, Involvement, Prayer, Youth, Fellowship, Learning and Study, Sensitivity in Vocation, Learning to Love, Interfaith Activities, Awareness, Solve Problems, Engage in Service
Group One. Overcoming Prejudice. Two actions will assist in achieving this outlook – Gaining knowledge about the faith and lifestyle of those who are different; first hand exposure in person-to-person groups. Here are statements that were made:
- Don’t be judgmental
- Reject all prejudice, learn to show compassion, tolerance, adopt shared human values --- build communities of respect.
- My prejudice should not impede the progress I need to make in religious relationships. I need to be open. One example is Pentecost: many came together and heard the disciples speaking in their own language so they understood each other.
- I was reared in the South. Stereotyping is typical (but not only in the south.). Once you get to know a person you find the relation quite natural because we all want the same things
o Healthy happy families
o Religion which plays a big role in life
o Religion is important in the formation of Christian values
o Learn to be open to others who are different
- Be open to others; drop my prejudice (this person works at Emory and is exposed to all types of people; recalls hearing it said that we are more alike than different. We all share certain core values.
- More open to people of all faiths, more knowledge results in less prejudice and better relationships with all children of God.
If this is an issue you would like to work on, join with others who are seeking the same thing!
Group Two. Involvement Persons who wish to be involved can do so at many levels. First get to know a person who is different from you in culture, race, or religion. Volunteer to help at feeding places or with older people. If you for a group of people who wish to be involved, you can give each other support. Here are what some said who wish to be involved:
-Get myself involved in Interfaith to bring an awareness of others of different faiths like Muslim and Christian
-Increase the number of times we get with people in an interfaith setting to at least 6 times a year.
- Look for God showing himself in the workplace where people of different backgrounds are pressed together.
- I have been exposed to persons from different backgrounds and I wish to continue this exposure.
- Become intentional in my social life by socializing with people from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Courage to step outside my comfort zone.
- Participate in interfaith activities like Jan Swanson leads to experience how others practice their faith.
- Be a better neighbor. Need to be intentional relational with those around me.
- I would like to be part of a group with people of different faiths – honor the differences and find the similarities – would like for the communication to include Jewish people
- I also would like to be a part of an interfaith group where I could talk with people with different backgrounds and faiths.
- Be a better neighbor to my neighbors
You can get involved! You can make a difference!
Group Three. Groups That Pray Together Some have shown an interest in prayer as a means of drawing close to others. A group of us have found that meeting once a month and sitting together in silence for ½ hour and then sharing with each other is a powerful way of drawing close to each other. This group is simple to convene. Invite the group from different faiths, meet monthly, sit together for 30 minutes, and begin by each person telling the experiences in their lives that cause them to wish to be part of the group.
- I can seek out relations with others in different communities.
- We need to look past appearance and begin to learn others stories and who they really are.
- We need to make the extra effort to educate others about our faith journey and also learn to listen to others. We need most to develop trust and tolerance.
- - God is calling me to open my mind and heart to hear both what those who may be like me and especially those who are different from me. This will lead me to further thoughts.
-
Group Four. Young Men’s and Women’s Group Quite a number of young adults joined in this exercise. They see new roles for themselves. Perhaps we need a group of young men and women to begin a regular meeting to talk about how they may be involved in building bridges, creating relationships, and adopting new modes of service to human needs.
- Kids are the future. Are exposed to a corrupt point of view and they will be formed by this experience if they are not offered an alternative. They could be called to work for a new vision of the world.
- I would like to know how other people see the world; I want to be aware of other perspectives from others; I wanted to be committed, no matter what the problem is to do the most charitable thing.
- Continue to work with International Students to bring them together and show them the spirit of hospitality.
- Seek to be an instrument of God’s will
- Live the Golden Rule
- Listen to what is said to me and respond honestly
- Build bridges between the faiths – learn what others believe without trying to convert them to my way
- Deal with students to be sure that they have a safe place to learn.
Group Five. Learning and Study References to understanding Islam and understanding other cultures were numerous. This understanding was joined to communication as a way of building relationships. This study can be directed by an informed leader or it can be done by various members of the group.
- Spend time and effort in learning about other religions.
- Acquaint myself with the teachings of my Indian Hindu friends – they worship the same God, face the same issues, same care for the family of God.
- A Lebanese from out of town met two brothers who were Jewish. They never judged each other; they had camaraderie as people of the world. They could seek friendships everywhere.
- We need to see the world as an international village:
o Each is devoted to and protective of each other’s religion
o We are a melting pot of Eastern European cultures
o A common thread the speech impediment not matter what language was the native tongue.
- I grew up in a background of hatred. One Sunday school teacher showed me
how to get through the terror of the world --- the faith, love, peace and the tears of the people we have met here has given us support and has helped to reduce our fear
- We need to make the extra effort to educate others about our faith journey and also learn to listen to others. We need most to develop trust and tolerance.
- I can read and study Islam in order to know who Muslims are.
- Be open to establishing relationships with those in the Muslim community.
Group Six. Practice of Love in the World One way, perhaps the greatest way, that we affect the lives of other people is by the way that we live. When we show understanding, tolerance, forgiveness, and kindness to others, it models what the world needs most. It is possible to practice love without the aid of others, but having a group of caring people to talk with increases understanding and deepens knowledge.
- I have been influence by moving to America. I have witnessed people being kind and helpful to each other and I can do this in the future for others.
- I have seen people in crisis show their best self. I believe that a crisis brings out the best in people. I can be part of that.
- As a nurse practitioner says I am privileged to be in a profession where I have a clear opportunity to create an atmosphere of caring, equality and recognition to persons of all walks of life every week.
- Two parts to my answer: emphasize the love of God and acting on that love. Using that love in everyday life to move forward but take a patient approach.
- I can take the message out into the world and share it with other groups and engage them in helping figure out ways to engage others.
- Important to realize how you respond when tested in faith. Need to recognize everybody is God’s child and they all go through their struggles. We need to go through our struggles with God’s love supporting us.
- I can seek out relations with others in different communities.
- To love one another, regardless of race, religion, country of origin, gender or status.
- We need to learn how to look past appearance and begin to learn others’
- stories and who they really are.
- Here are the things that I can do:
o Anticipate different faiths in my classroom.
o Learn from them how they see the world.
o Act in these ways without being judgmental.
- Reach out to Muslims
- As a youth sponsor in a church I was taught about being open and the importance of looking beyond outward appearances. All persons desire to be valued, respected and loved; this is what the teenagers taught me. They taught me more than I taught them.
Group Seven. Work Together for Changes. What one person cannot do, five can. When we take others into our confidence, when we learn from them, and when we join them working on worthy projects, we get closer together. Some persons learn by doing and others learn by talking, but doing is always for the good of others. Are you a Doer?
- I believe that Habitat for Humanity gives us a way to bring people from different backgrounds together. People who work together find that their differences disappear.
- Try to make an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to work together.
- Communication needs to be increased. We need to communicate events that can help people grow and we need to let them know about it.
- To join with others in our congregation as they journey outward.
- Do a mission trip to a Muslim Country
- I am from Sandy Springs – I plan to write to the council to see if the city has an interest in setting up this kind of gathering in Sandy Springs. Maybe it would be good to be outside a particular church setting. I will facilitate this with my wife.
-
OF
August 3, 2008
Groups for Action in Atlanta
At the visioning session following lunch at Shallowford Church more than 200 persons listed eight pages of actions they could take or needs that the felt. We believe that the best way to respond to these matters is through a series of small groups for which both leaders and participants take responsibility. The issues which were listed focus on:
Prejudice, Involvement, Prayer, Youth, Fellowship, Learning and Study, Sensitivity in Vocation, Learning to Love, Interfaith Activities, Awareness, Solve Problems, Engage in Service
Group One. Overcoming Prejudice. Two actions will assist in achieving this outlook – Gaining knowledge about the faith and lifestyle of those who are different; first hand exposure in person-to-person groups. Here are statements that were made:
- Don’t be judgmental
- Reject all prejudice, learn to show compassion, tolerance, adopt shared human values --- build communities of respect.
- My prejudice should not impede the progress I need to make in religious relationships. I need to be open. One example is Pentecost: many came together and heard the disciples speaking in their own language so they understood each other.
- I was reared in the South. Stereotyping is typical (but not only in the south.). Once you get to know a person you find the relation quite natural because we all want the same things
o Healthy happy families
o Religion which plays a big role in life
o Religion is important in the formation of Christian values
o Learn to be open to others who are different
- Be open to others; drop my prejudice (this person works at Emory and is exposed to all types of people; recalls hearing it said that we are more alike than different. We all share certain core values.
- More open to people of all faiths, more knowledge results in less prejudice and better relationships with all children of God.
If this is an issue you would like to work on, join with others who are seeking the same thing!
Group Two. Involvement Persons who wish to be involved can do so at many levels. First get to know a person who is different from you in culture, race, or religion. Volunteer to help at feeding places or with older people. If you for a group of people who wish to be involved, you can give each other support. Here are what some said who wish to be involved:
-Get myself involved in Interfaith to bring an awareness of others of different faiths like Muslim and Christian
-Increase the number of times we get with people in an interfaith setting to at least 6 times a year.
- Look for God showing himself in the workplace where people of different backgrounds are pressed together.
- I have been exposed to persons from different backgrounds and I wish to continue this exposure.
- Become intentional in my social life by socializing with people from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Courage to step outside my comfort zone.
- Participate in interfaith activities like Jan Swanson leads to experience how others practice their faith.
- Be a better neighbor. Need to be intentional relational with those around me.
- I would like to be part of a group with people of different faiths – honor the differences and find the similarities – would like for the communication to include Jewish people
- I also would like to be a part of an interfaith group where I could talk with people with different backgrounds and faiths.
- Be a better neighbor to my neighbors
You can get involved! You can make a difference!
Group Three. Groups That Pray Together Some have shown an interest in prayer as a means of drawing close to others. A group of us have found that meeting once a month and sitting together in silence for ½ hour and then sharing with each other is a powerful way of drawing close to each other. This group is simple to convene. Invite the group from different faiths, meet monthly, sit together for 30 minutes, and begin by each person telling the experiences in their lives that cause them to wish to be part of the group.
- I can seek out relations with others in different communities.
- We need to look past appearance and begin to learn others stories and who they really are.
- We need to make the extra effort to educate others about our faith journey and also learn to listen to others. We need most to develop trust and tolerance.
- - God is calling me to open my mind and heart to hear both what those who may be like me and especially those who are different from me. This will lead me to further thoughts.
-
Group Four. Young Men’s and Women’s Group Quite a number of young adults joined in this exercise. They see new roles for themselves. Perhaps we need a group of young men and women to begin a regular meeting to talk about how they may be involved in building bridges, creating relationships, and adopting new modes of service to human needs.
- Kids are the future. Are exposed to a corrupt point of view and they will be formed by this experience if they are not offered an alternative. They could be called to work for a new vision of the world.
- I would like to know how other people see the world; I want to be aware of other perspectives from others; I wanted to be committed, no matter what the problem is to do the most charitable thing.
- Continue to work with International Students to bring them together and show them the spirit of hospitality.
- Seek to be an instrument of God’s will
- Live the Golden Rule
- Listen to what is said to me and respond honestly
- Build bridges between the faiths – learn what others believe without trying to convert them to my way
- Deal with students to be sure that they have a safe place to learn.
Group Five. Learning and Study References to understanding Islam and understanding other cultures were numerous. This understanding was joined to communication as a way of building relationships. This study can be directed by an informed leader or it can be done by various members of the group.
- Spend time and effort in learning about other religions.
- Acquaint myself with the teachings of my Indian Hindu friends – they worship the same God, face the same issues, same care for the family of God.
- A Lebanese from out of town met two brothers who were Jewish. They never judged each other; they had camaraderie as people of the world. They could seek friendships everywhere.
- We need to see the world as an international village:
o Each is devoted to and protective of each other’s religion
o We are a melting pot of Eastern European cultures
o A common thread the speech impediment not matter what language was the native tongue.
- I grew up in a background of hatred. One Sunday school teacher showed me
how to get through the terror of the world --- the faith, love, peace and the tears of the people we have met here has given us support and has helped to reduce our fear
- We need to make the extra effort to educate others about our faith journey and also learn to listen to others. We need most to develop trust and tolerance.
- I can read and study Islam in order to know who Muslims are.
- Be open to establishing relationships with those in the Muslim community.
Group Six. Practice of Love in the World One way, perhaps the greatest way, that we affect the lives of other people is by the way that we live. When we show understanding, tolerance, forgiveness, and kindness to others, it models what the world needs most. It is possible to practice love without the aid of others, but having a group of caring people to talk with increases understanding and deepens knowledge.
- I have been influence by moving to America. I have witnessed people being kind and helpful to each other and I can do this in the future for others.
- I have seen people in crisis show their best self. I believe that a crisis brings out the best in people. I can be part of that.
- As a nurse practitioner says I am privileged to be in a profession where I have a clear opportunity to create an atmosphere of caring, equality and recognition to persons of all walks of life every week.
- Two parts to my answer: emphasize the love of God and acting on that love. Using that love in everyday life to move forward but take a patient approach.
- I can take the message out into the world and share it with other groups and engage them in helping figure out ways to engage others.
- Important to realize how you respond when tested in faith. Need to recognize everybody is God’s child and they all go through their struggles. We need to go through our struggles with God’s love supporting us.
- I can seek out relations with others in different communities.
- To love one another, regardless of race, religion, country of origin, gender or status.
- We need to learn how to look past appearance and begin to learn others’
- stories and who they really are.
- Here are the things that I can do:
o Anticipate different faiths in my classroom.
o Learn from them how they see the world.
o Act in these ways without being judgmental.
- Reach out to Muslims
- As a youth sponsor in a church I was taught about being open and the importance of looking beyond outward appearances. All persons desire to be valued, respected and loved; this is what the teenagers taught me. They taught me more than I taught them.
Group Seven. Work Together for Changes. What one person cannot do, five can. When we take others into our confidence, when we learn from them, and when we join them working on worthy projects, we get closer together. Some persons learn by doing and others learn by talking, but doing is always for the good of others. Are you a Doer?
- I believe that Habitat for Humanity gives us a way to bring people from different backgrounds together. People who work together find that their differences disappear.
- Try to make an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to work together.
- Communication needs to be increased. We need to communicate events that can help people grow and we need to let them know about it.
- To join with others in our congregation as they journey outward.
- Do a mission trip to a Muslim Country
- I am from Sandy Springs – I plan to write to the council to see if the city has an interest in setting up this kind of gathering in Sandy Springs. Maybe it would be good to be outside a particular church setting. I will facilitate this with my wife.
-
Eleven Reasons Christians Should Study Islam
Eleven Reasons Why Christians Should Study Islam
1. Their ignorance of Islam -- don’t know anything about Islam.
2. To rid themselves of misconceptions about Islam – what they do know is flawed.
3. To overcome their fear of Muslims.
4. To overcome the fear of speaking with someone of another faith.
5. To discover the similarity and differences of beliefs.
6. To learn that “difference” does not necessarily mean “wrong.”
7. To learn how to appreciate the dedication, disciple and determination of Muslims.
8. Because the world is rapidly becoming a “global village” and Muslims and people of other faiths are not only “over there” but “right here.”
9. Because of the sheer numbers – 1.5 billion Muslims in the world and the number is growing rapidly.
10. To find freedom from their feelings of elitism and superiority in religion.
11. To assist in helping Christians see all peoples as creations of God and loved by God.
1. Their ignorance of Islam -- don’t know anything about Islam.
2. To rid themselves of misconceptions about Islam – what they do know is flawed.
3. To overcome their fear of Muslims.
4. To overcome the fear of speaking with someone of another faith.
5. To discover the similarity and differences of beliefs.
6. To learn that “difference” does not necessarily mean “wrong.”
7. To learn how to appreciate the dedication, disciple and determination of Muslims.
8. Because the world is rapidly becoming a “global village” and Muslims and people of other faiths are not only “over there” but “right here.”
9. Because of the sheer numbers – 1.5 billion Muslims in the world and the number is growing rapidly.
10. To find freedom from their feelings of elitism and superiority in religion.
11. To assist in helping Christians see all peoples as creations of God and loved by God.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Christian/Muslim Dinner Group
Last September the Wieca Road Baptist Church hosted a seminar -- Understanding Islam. About 250 persons gathered on Three Sunday Evenings during Ramadan for study, conversation and prayer. Attnedees were invited to sign up for a dinner group that would meet quarterly. Enough people signed up that we had 20 groups of 8 persons each -- 4 Muslims and 4 Christians with both males and females.
Last night the group met that I belong to. Each of us brought a covered dish, we spread the food and shared the good things that friends had brought. When dinner ended, we continued to sit around the table and talk. One of our members began to tell about how he was reared and the kinds of values that were firmly set in his mind and heart. The topic seemed to draw lots of attention and we extended the conversation, giving everyone who desireds a time to tell about his/her upbringing.
We heard about divorces, remarriages, good discipline, communities that cared about children, the pain and loss that is suffered in families where there is lots of conflict. Each shared as much or as little as felt comfortable.
Our full intention was to end our meetng at 8:45 but before we knew it, the time had slipped up to 9:30 and we had to make ourselves close and get home. As we were closing, our group decided several things:
1. We would meet the 8th or 15th of November
2. We named the member who volunteered to host us
3. One member agreed to create a blog and place the 2020 vision in it for our group to dialogue about.
4. A new couple was announced that desires to meet with us in November.
We have found that a gathering like this creates positive relationships, builds trust, and lays the foundation for us to work together on a vision that is larger than ourselves.
Do you have any interest in beginning or belonging to a group like this? What questions do you have?
Last night the group met that I belong to. Each of us brought a covered dish, we spread the food and shared the good things that friends had brought. When dinner ended, we continued to sit around the table and talk. One of our members began to tell about how he was reared and the kinds of values that were firmly set in his mind and heart. The topic seemed to draw lots of attention and we extended the conversation, giving everyone who desireds a time to tell about his/her upbringing.
We heard about divorces, remarriages, good discipline, communities that cared about children, the pain and loss that is suffered in families where there is lots of conflict. Each shared as much or as little as felt comfortable.
Our full intention was to end our meetng at 8:45 but before we knew it, the time had slipped up to 9:30 and we had to make ourselves close and get home. As we were closing, our group decided several things:
1. We would meet the 8th or 15th of November
2. We named the member who volunteered to host us
3. One member agreed to create a blog and place the 2020 vision in it for our group to dialogue about.
4. A new couple was announced that desires to meet with us in November.
We have found that a gathering like this creates positive relationships, builds trust, and lays the foundation for us to work together on a vision that is larger than ourselves.
Do you have any interest in beginning or belonging to a group like this? What questions do you have?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Visioning Results from Sunday, August 3, 2008
BEYOND 9/11 VISIONING SESSION
August 3, 2008
Twenty-three of the tables that were set up at The Shallowford Visioning Session responded to the opportunity of stating what they thought God might be inviting them to do to make a difference in the city regarding relationships between Christians and Muslims. We used the process of Looking Back, Looking Around, and Looking Forward and shared in a setting of Mutual Invitation taught by Robby Carroll. The results were very positive. Below are the responses w/o the names of persons submitting them.
Table One
- Reject all prejudice, compassion, tolerance, shared human values --- build communities of respect.
- Kids are the future. Are exposed to a corrupt point of view and they will be formed by this experience if they are not offered an alternative. They could be called to work for a new vision of the world.
- My prejudice should not impede the progress I need to make in religious relationships. I need to be open. One example is Pentecost: many came together and heard the disciples speaking in their own language so they understood each other.
- I was reared in the South. Stereotyping is typical (but not only in the south ed.). Once you get to know a person you find it quite natural because we all want the same things
o Healthy happy families
o Religion which plays a big role in life
o Religion is important in the formation of Christian values
o Learn to be open to others who are different
- Be open to others; drop my prejudice (this person works at Emory and is exposed to all types of people; recalls hearing it said that we are more alike than different. We all share certain core values.
- I need to be more quiet and reflective rather than thinking or trying to know everything about everyone. I need not to be overly influenced by others.
- Need to include all cultures in Atlanta. We need the whole community in our vision of bringing different cultures together. Our oldest and largest is the African – American Community.
Table Two:
- I have been influence by moving to America. I have witnessed people being kind and helpful to each other and I can do this in the future for others.
- I have seen people in crisis show their best self. I believe that a crisis brings out the best in people. I can be part of that.
- We need to participate, get our younger friends involved in making a difference and to help our Imams get behind helping us create relationships with those in the Christian Community.
- We must not lose hope but keep up the good work no matter what happens.
- Need to get to know our neighbors that take out outside our comfort zones.
Table Three:
- Increase the number of times we get with people in an interfaith setting to at least 6 times a year.
- Look for God showing himself in the workplace where people of different backgrounds are pressed together.
- I have been exposed to persons from different backgrounds and I wish to continue this exposure.
- Become intentional in my social life by socializing with people from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Courage to step outside my comfort zone.
- Spend time and effort in learning about other religions.
Table Four:
- Acquaint myself with the teachings of my Indian Hindu friends – they worship the same God, face the same issues, same care for the family of God.
- A Lebanese from out of town met two brothers who were Jewish. They never judged each other; they had camaraderie as people of the world. They could seek friendships everywhere.
- We need to see the world as an international village:
o Each is devoted to and protective of each other’s religion
o We are a melting pot of Eastern European cultures
o A common thread the speech impediment not matter what language was the native tongue.
o I grew up in a background of hatred. One Sunday school teacher showed me how to get through the terror of the world --- the faith, love, peace and the tears of the people we have met here has given us support and has helped to reduce our fear
- I would like to know how other people see the world; I want to be aware of other perspectives from others; I wanted to be committed, no matter what the problem is to do the most charitable thing.
- As a nurse practitioner, I am privileged to be in a profession where I have a clear opportunity to create an atmosphere of caring, equality and recognition to persons of all walks of life every week.
Table Five:
- I believe that Habitat for Humanity gives us a way to bring people from different backgrounds together. People who work together find that their differences disappear.
- Thanks to Shallowford Session and congregation for doing this very courageous thing!
o What is going on is exciting.
o We need a vision to touch leaders. In this respect the American psyche is very low.
- Try to make an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to work together.
- Continue to work with International Students to bring them together and show them the spirit of hospitality.
Table Six:
- Two parts to my answer: emphasize the love of God and acting on that love. Using that love in everyday life to move forward but take a patient approach.
- I can take the message out into the world and share it with other groups and engage them in helping figure out ways to engage others.
- Important to realize how you respond when tested in faith. Need to recognize everybody is God’s child and they all go through their struggles. We need to go through our struggles with God’s love supporting us.
- I can seek out relations with others in different communities.
- We need to look past appearance and begin to learn others stories and who they really are.
- We need to make the extra effort to educate others about our faith journey and also learn to listen to others. We need most to develop trust and tolerance.
Table Seven:
- To love one another, regardless of race, religion, country of origin, gender or status.
- Communication needs to be increased. We need to communicate events that can help people grow and we need to let them know about it.
- I can read and study Islam in order to know who Muslims are.
- Be open to establishing relationships wit those in the Muslim community.
- Donate financial support to Interfaith efforts.
Table Eight:
- Participate in interfaith activities like Jan Swanson leads to experience how others practice their faith.
- Be a better neighbor. Need to be intentional relational with those around me.
Table Nine:
- God is calling me to open my mind and heart to hear both what those who may be like me and especially those who are different from me. This will lead me to further thoughts.
- Deal with students to be sure that they have a safe place to learn.
- To join with others in our congregation as they journey outward.
- I have read Three Cups of Tea and I’m going to buy more copies of this book to share the message with others.
- Her are the things that I can do:
o Anticipate different faiths in my classroom.
o Learn from them how they see the world.
o Act in these ways without being judgmental.
- I am going to do the same things that I have been doing.
Table Ten:
- Seek to be an instrument of God’s will
- Live the Golden Rule
- Don’t be judgmental
- Invite friends to join me in worship
- Listen to what is said to me and respond honestly
- Build bridges between the faiths – learn what others believe without trying to convert them to my way
- Reach out to Muslims
- Do a mission trip to a Muslim Country
Table Eleven:
- I would like to be part of a group with people of different faiths – honor the differences and find the similarities – would like for the communication to include Jewish people
- I also would like to be a part of an interfaith group where I could talk with people with different backgrounds and faiths.
- Be a better neighbor to my neighbors
- Work to use the power of 10,000 places of worship in Atlanta to transform the community.
- I am from Sandy Springs – I plan to write to the council to see if the city has an interest in setting up this kind of gathering in Sandy Springs. Maybe it would be good to be outside a particular church setting. I will facilitate this with my wife.
Table Twelve:
- As a youth sponsor in a church I was taught about being open and the importance of looking beyond outward appearances. All persons desire to be valued, respected and loved; this is what the teenagers taught me. They taught me more than I taught them.
- Meeting like it ought to be. In a men’s group a guy was tearful and in a lot of pain. What was neat was that everyone spoke to the issue rather than giving him advice. No one tried to fix anything, just said, “Here’s what I know about that.” What you can do as a community exceeds what you can do alone.
- Weekend retreat at church with you is great in bringing unity. I am active in the 12-step movement.
- My wife and I for two years have been in an intensive program designed for therapists – we have met and worked with persons from several different faiths and all accepted each other as children of God – this group took on a oneness for their identity.
Table Thirteen:
- Difference in Christianity and Islam – God’s spirit is peace, importance of forgiveness, experience in refugee camp has nothing to do with Christian and Muslims – US resettlement does not bring people into a different life based on religion.
- Atlanta Presbytery had Jewish, Muslim, and Christian dialogue in the Temple in 2002 – had presentations in a couple of schools in N. Atlanta
- I trust Ben Johnson and I want to buy into it with some degree of fear.
Table Fourteen:
- Build bridges of understanding
- Get to know our neighbor
- To be here, learn and listen and love some more
- Build bridges locally
o Networks\
o Invite non-Christian to participate
o Interfaith Mission
- To love people regardless of faith, background (natural to love)
- To let God’s love shine through me so others will see compassion, encouragement and love.
- To be faithful to God and help others
- To get out of our comfort zone and get to know others
- Keep finding God outside of my familiar surroundings
Table Fifteen:
- We need to read and study first!
- Then, get to know other people of faith.
- How do you develop respect for another?
- Use the Internet to get us closer together.
Table Sixteen:
- Develop a foundation for understanding the truth and the common ground
- Joining together to create something better of the world according to the values of religion.
- Look for the good in people
- Find five things that are good about people that are different
- We must become willing to look past the negatives and differences in people and groups.
- Share the common cause. Any group can come together for any purpose.
Table Seventeen:
- Take Interfaith Worship seriously
- Get involved in an outside mission like Habitat or Mission work
- Find God through others
- Follow the lead of a family that adopted a family of ten Buddhists
- Share with a hospice staff that is hopelessly overloaded
- I am an artist and poet and feel the love of God through my work. I feel very loved when people interact with my work. It is most rewarding.
- Maybe we could learn something from those who in the 70’s lived in communal fellowships.
- Many handicapped people need help; they are ostracized and suffer great need. People from all backgrounds can be helped and become helpful.
- Continue to do for little children. When we do for children we are being obedient to Christ
- Some other things:
o Serve in everything we do
o Be committed to family
o Committed to the world also
o In the visioning process love God, neighbor, and self
o Meditate, being loved in meeting the other
o Work with 600 persons engaged in Faith Alliance
- Other ways of speaking about our action in the world:
o Look past appearances
o Educate others about yourself
o Listen
o Trust, Tolerate others
o Working together helps us forget about our differences
o We welcome all to Join FAMA – Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta
o We will meditate and pray for all the peoples of the world
Table Seventeen:
- Educate
- Have more dialogue among interfaith groups in more countries than just the USA
- Lower the walls and invite others into your world, not just religiously but also socially and culturally
- Social interaction with Peers
- I need to notice my categories of judgment and where I see myself as different. Why am I judgmental?
- Looking at where I am judgmental and questioning the impact that it has one me.
- I want to see people as individuals and not as a group, type or sect
- We need to work for open sharing, positive and negative.
- Invite God into all our interactions with others
Table Eighteen:
- All are created equal as Americans (others too), land of freedom and hope. Others want to come here. All believe in the same God” – false for some. We have fundamental differences but can we live together?
- Differences are important. Need to respect differences
- Liberation comes when we discover differences; it leads to peace in one’s heart and confidence in our perspective
- A professor always looks at the difference among religions in her students. We are studying Judaism, Koran and how this impacts culture and health
- The Calling of American Islamic Fellowship
o Muslims need intra-faith dialogue
o Bring Muslims together across differences
o Bring people together as people
- Learn to enjoy meeting and talking with people of other faiths
o To learn respect
o See all are on faith journeys
o Experience the fun and invigorating when we share
- Having lived in 13 countries I had had these experiences:
o Worked with many types of religious people
o Studied each religion and exchanged ideas about similarities which are the unity of creation, one creator, system to run the world, differences are in rituals, unity of faith and unity of humanity
- Differences are as important as similarities
Table Nineteen:
- Work together implement a 5 faiths immersion project
- Read about all religions and how we can come together and cut through the walls that have been erected
- Poetry from Rumi and describe the purpose of our lives. We are called to BE a DISCOVERER of God’s Attributes.
Table Twenty:
- What is God calling me to do to be part of the vision?
o Serve in under served populations
o Bring awareness to others
o Be respectful
o Go outside my comfort zone
o Get myself involved in Interfaith to bring an awareness of others of different faiths like Muslim and Christian
o It takes confidence in my own faith to ask about another’s faith
- The three Abrahamic religions have more in common than they are different. It would make a child’s life easier. I have doubts about what is in the media. How can we work together to make this a better place to live?
- Let children, friends and neighbors know that they are accepted even when they are different from me.
- There are different ways to live, different occasions, different ambitions and that is not necessarily bad.
- We need to help people see the full picture
- Take the right way, understand
- Read the fine print
Table Twenty-One:
- More open to people of all faiths, more knowledge results in less prejudice and better relationships with all children of God.
- Need to be more passionately intentional about Matthew 28 – the great commission.
- We don’t really worship the same God.
- I want to bring this information to my church in Decatur.
- I would like to invite Muslim friends to walk the trails at our home in Decatur
- Be more intentional in participating in interfaith opportunities
- Serve the community of black friends in Atlanta
Table Twenty-Two:
- Broad vision that we all pray to one God. More opportunities in large city of Atlanta
- Our beliefs are very often the same beliefs. If we come closer, we will learn about one another and break ignorance
- We connect with correct information
- Theatre and Arts to bond and help the needy
- Third session at church to. Share knowledge of faith. Have similar session at a Mosque bay inviting Christian friends. Hopefully by Ramadan.
Table Twenty-Three:
- Teaching other religions and getting to know children and parents of other faiths.
- Open up opportunity to educate ourselves about Islam and not just in a newspaper article
- I wonder how Muslims feel when a Christian says, “You are wrong.”
- Learn about neighbors in Dunwoody who are Muslim.
- Muslims can learn about Reformation from Christians. Might help Islam have a reformation.
- Be aware of the nuances of differences within Islam and lay these on the table. Don’t try to hide dualities that exist within Islam, Muhammad’s life, for example.
August 3, 2008
Twenty-three of the tables that were set up at The Shallowford Visioning Session responded to the opportunity of stating what they thought God might be inviting them to do to make a difference in the city regarding relationships between Christians and Muslims. We used the process of Looking Back, Looking Around, and Looking Forward and shared in a setting of Mutual Invitation taught by Robby Carroll. The results were very positive. Below are the responses w/o the names of persons submitting them.
Table One
- Reject all prejudice, compassion, tolerance, shared human values --- build communities of respect.
- Kids are the future. Are exposed to a corrupt point of view and they will be formed by this experience if they are not offered an alternative. They could be called to work for a new vision of the world.
- My prejudice should not impede the progress I need to make in religious relationships. I need to be open. One example is Pentecost: many came together and heard the disciples speaking in their own language so they understood each other.
- I was reared in the South. Stereotyping is typical (but not only in the south ed.). Once you get to know a person you find it quite natural because we all want the same things
o Healthy happy families
o Religion which plays a big role in life
o Religion is important in the formation of Christian values
o Learn to be open to others who are different
- Be open to others; drop my prejudice (this person works at Emory and is exposed to all types of people; recalls hearing it said that we are more alike than different. We all share certain core values.
- I need to be more quiet and reflective rather than thinking or trying to know everything about everyone. I need not to be overly influenced by others.
- Need to include all cultures in Atlanta. We need the whole community in our vision of bringing different cultures together. Our oldest and largest is the African – American Community.
Table Two:
- I have been influence by moving to America. I have witnessed people being kind and helpful to each other and I can do this in the future for others.
- I have seen people in crisis show their best self. I believe that a crisis brings out the best in people. I can be part of that.
- We need to participate, get our younger friends involved in making a difference and to help our Imams get behind helping us create relationships with those in the Christian Community.
- We must not lose hope but keep up the good work no matter what happens.
- Need to get to know our neighbors that take out outside our comfort zones.
Table Three:
- Increase the number of times we get with people in an interfaith setting to at least 6 times a year.
- Look for God showing himself in the workplace where people of different backgrounds are pressed together.
- I have been exposed to persons from different backgrounds and I wish to continue this exposure.
- Become intentional in my social life by socializing with people from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Courage to step outside my comfort zone.
- Spend time and effort in learning about other religions.
Table Four:
- Acquaint myself with the teachings of my Indian Hindu friends – they worship the same God, face the same issues, same care for the family of God.
- A Lebanese from out of town met two brothers who were Jewish. They never judged each other; they had camaraderie as people of the world. They could seek friendships everywhere.
- We need to see the world as an international village:
o Each is devoted to and protective of each other’s religion
o We are a melting pot of Eastern European cultures
o A common thread the speech impediment not matter what language was the native tongue.
o I grew up in a background of hatred. One Sunday school teacher showed me how to get through the terror of the world --- the faith, love, peace and the tears of the people we have met here has given us support and has helped to reduce our fear
- I would like to know how other people see the world; I want to be aware of other perspectives from others; I wanted to be committed, no matter what the problem is to do the most charitable thing.
- As a nurse practitioner, I am privileged to be in a profession where I have a clear opportunity to create an atmosphere of caring, equality and recognition to persons of all walks of life every week.
Table Five:
- I believe that Habitat for Humanity gives us a way to bring people from different backgrounds together. People who work together find that their differences disappear.
- Thanks to Shallowford Session and congregation for doing this very courageous thing!
o What is going on is exciting.
o We need a vision to touch leaders. In this respect the American psyche is very low.
- Try to make an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to work together.
- Continue to work with International Students to bring them together and show them the spirit of hospitality.
Table Six:
- Two parts to my answer: emphasize the love of God and acting on that love. Using that love in everyday life to move forward but take a patient approach.
- I can take the message out into the world and share it with other groups and engage them in helping figure out ways to engage others.
- Important to realize how you respond when tested in faith. Need to recognize everybody is God’s child and they all go through their struggles. We need to go through our struggles with God’s love supporting us.
- I can seek out relations with others in different communities.
- We need to look past appearance and begin to learn others stories and who they really are.
- We need to make the extra effort to educate others about our faith journey and also learn to listen to others. We need most to develop trust and tolerance.
Table Seven:
- To love one another, regardless of race, religion, country of origin, gender or status.
- Communication needs to be increased. We need to communicate events that can help people grow and we need to let them know about it.
- I can read and study Islam in order to know who Muslims are.
- Be open to establishing relationships wit those in the Muslim community.
- Donate financial support to Interfaith efforts.
Table Eight:
- Participate in interfaith activities like Jan Swanson leads to experience how others practice their faith.
- Be a better neighbor. Need to be intentional relational with those around me.
Table Nine:
- God is calling me to open my mind and heart to hear both what those who may be like me and especially those who are different from me. This will lead me to further thoughts.
- Deal with students to be sure that they have a safe place to learn.
- To join with others in our congregation as they journey outward.
- I have read Three Cups of Tea and I’m going to buy more copies of this book to share the message with others.
- Her are the things that I can do:
o Anticipate different faiths in my classroom.
o Learn from them how they see the world.
o Act in these ways without being judgmental.
- I am going to do the same things that I have been doing.
Table Ten:
- Seek to be an instrument of God’s will
- Live the Golden Rule
- Don’t be judgmental
- Invite friends to join me in worship
- Listen to what is said to me and respond honestly
- Build bridges between the faiths – learn what others believe without trying to convert them to my way
- Reach out to Muslims
- Do a mission trip to a Muslim Country
Table Eleven:
- I would like to be part of a group with people of different faiths – honor the differences and find the similarities – would like for the communication to include Jewish people
- I also would like to be a part of an interfaith group where I could talk with people with different backgrounds and faiths.
- Be a better neighbor to my neighbors
- Work to use the power of 10,000 places of worship in Atlanta to transform the community.
- I am from Sandy Springs – I plan to write to the council to see if the city has an interest in setting up this kind of gathering in Sandy Springs. Maybe it would be good to be outside a particular church setting. I will facilitate this with my wife.
Table Twelve:
- As a youth sponsor in a church I was taught about being open and the importance of looking beyond outward appearances. All persons desire to be valued, respected and loved; this is what the teenagers taught me. They taught me more than I taught them.
- Meeting like it ought to be. In a men’s group a guy was tearful and in a lot of pain. What was neat was that everyone spoke to the issue rather than giving him advice. No one tried to fix anything, just said, “Here’s what I know about that.” What you can do as a community exceeds what you can do alone.
- Weekend retreat at church with you is great in bringing unity. I am active in the 12-step movement.
- My wife and I for two years have been in an intensive program designed for therapists – we have met and worked with persons from several different faiths and all accepted each other as children of God – this group took on a oneness for their identity.
Table Thirteen:
- Difference in Christianity and Islam – God’s spirit is peace, importance of forgiveness, experience in refugee camp has nothing to do with Christian and Muslims – US resettlement does not bring people into a different life based on religion.
- Atlanta Presbytery had Jewish, Muslim, and Christian dialogue in the Temple in 2002 – had presentations in a couple of schools in N. Atlanta
- I trust Ben Johnson and I want to buy into it with some degree of fear.
Table Fourteen:
- Build bridges of understanding
- Get to know our neighbor
- To be here, learn and listen and love some more
- Build bridges locally
o Networks\
o Invite non-Christian to participate
o Interfaith Mission
- To love people regardless of faith, background (natural to love)
- To let God’s love shine through me so others will see compassion, encouragement and love.
- To be faithful to God and help others
- To get out of our comfort zone and get to know others
- Keep finding God outside of my familiar surroundings
Table Fifteen:
- We need to read and study first!
- Then, get to know other people of faith.
- How do you develop respect for another?
- Use the Internet to get us closer together.
Table Sixteen:
- Develop a foundation for understanding the truth and the common ground
- Joining together to create something better of the world according to the values of religion.
- Look for the good in people
- Find five things that are good about people that are different
- We must become willing to look past the negatives and differences in people and groups.
- Share the common cause. Any group can come together for any purpose.
Table Seventeen:
- Take Interfaith Worship seriously
- Get involved in an outside mission like Habitat or Mission work
- Find God through others
- Follow the lead of a family that adopted a family of ten Buddhists
- Share with a hospice staff that is hopelessly overloaded
- I am an artist and poet and feel the love of God through my work. I feel very loved when people interact with my work. It is most rewarding.
- Maybe we could learn something from those who in the 70’s lived in communal fellowships.
- Many handicapped people need help; they are ostracized and suffer great need. People from all backgrounds can be helped and become helpful.
- Continue to do for little children. When we do for children we are being obedient to Christ
- Some other things:
o Serve in everything we do
o Be committed to family
o Committed to the world also
o In the visioning process love God, neighbor, and self
o Meditate, being loved in meeting the other
o Work with 600 persons engaged in Faith Alliance
- Other ways of speaking about our action in the world:
o Look past appearances
o Educate others about yourself
o Listen
o Trust, Tolerate others
o Working together helps us forget about our differences
o We welcome all to Join FAMA – Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta
o We will meditate and pray for all the peoples of the world
Table Seventeen:
- Educate
- Have more dialogue among interfaith groups in more countries than just the USA
- Lower the walls and invite others into your world, not just religiously but also socially and culturally
- Social interaction with Peers
- I need to notice my categories of judgment and where I see myself as different. Why am I judgmental?
- Looking at where I am judgmental and questioning the impact that it has one me.
- I want to see people as individuals and not as a group, type or sect
- We need to work for open sharing, positive and negative.
- Invite God into all our interactions with others
Table Eighteen:
- All are created equal as Americans (others too), land of freedom and hope. Others want to come here. All believe in the same God” – false for some. We have fundamental differences but can we live together?
- Differences are important. Need to respect differences
- Liberation comes when we discover differences; it leads to peace in one’s heart and confidence in our perspective
- A professor always looks at the difference among religions in her students. We are studying Judaism, Koran and how this impacts culture and health
- The Calling of American Islamic Fellowship
o Muslims need intra-faith dialogue
o Bring Muslims together across differences
o Bring people together as people
- Learn to enjoy meeting and talking with people of other faiths
o To learn respect
o See all are on faith journeys
o Experience the fun and invigorating when we share
- Having lived in 13 countries I had had these experiences:
o Worked with many types of religious people
o Studied each religion and exchanged ideas about similarities which are the unity of creation, one creator, system to run the world, differences are in rituals, unity of faith and unity of humanity
- Differences are as important as similarities
Table Nineteen:
- Work together implement a 5 faiths immersion project
- Read about all religions and how we can come together and cut through the walls that have been erected
- Poetry from Rumi and describe the purpose of our lives. We are called to BE a DISCOVERER of God’s Attributes.
Table Twenty:
- What is God calling me to do to be part of the vision?
o Serve in under served populations
o Bring awareness to others
o Be respectful
o Go outside my comfort zone
o Get myself involved in Interfaith to bring an awareness of others of different faiths like Muslim and Christian
o It takes confidence in my own faith to ask about another’s faith
- The three Abrahamic religions have more in common than they are different. It would make a child’s life easier. I have doubts about what is in the media. How can we work together to make this a better place to live?
- Let children, friends and neighbors know that they are accepted even when they are different from me.
- There are different ways to live, different occasions, different ambitions and that is not necessarily bad.
- We need to help people see the full picture
- Take the right way, understand
- Read the fine print
Table Twenty-One:
- More open to people of all faiths, more knowledge results in less prejudice and better relationships with all children of God.
- Need to be more passionately intentional about Matthew 28 – the great commission.
- We don’t really worship the same God.
- I want to bring this information to my church in Decatur.
- I would like to invite Muslim friends to walk the trails at our home in Decatur
- Be more intentional in participating in interfaith opportunities
- Serve the community of black friends in Atlanta
Table Twenty-Two:
- Broad vision that we all pray to one God. More opportunities in large city of Atlanta
- Our beliefs are very often the same beliefs. If we come closer, we will learn about one another and break ignorance
- We connect with correct information
- Theatre and Arts to bond and help the needy
- Third session at church to. Share knowledge of faith. Have similar session at a Mosque bay inviting Christian friends. Hopefully by Ramadan.
Table Twenty-Three:
- Teaching other religions and getting to know children and parents of other faiths.
- Open up opportunity to educate ourselves about Islam and not just in a newspaper article
- I wonder how Muslims feel when a Christian says, “You are wrong.”
- Learn about neighbors in Dunwoody who are Muslim.
- Muslims can learn about Reformation from Christians. Might help Islam have a reformation.
- Be aware of the nuances of differences within Islam and lay these on the table. Don’t try to hide dualities that exist within Islam, Muhammad’s life, for example.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Interfaith Conversation
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Today we had a signficant service at the Shallowford Presbyterian Church around the topic: Beyond 9/11: Christians and Muslims Together -- A New World Vision.
Around 400 people attended the worship and visioning service at Shallowford today. After the worship, we gathered in the fellowship hall to have a fine Halal dinner for Muslims and Christians. The Great Hall was nearly full as we shared fellowship around the tables. Following the lunch we took time to fill our cards with name, address, phone, and email. Then we began a conversation around remembered experiences. Here are the directions that were given:
1. Look in. Think about a time when you felt the most like you were participating in, living in, working toward a community where each person was treasured as a child of God. Be specific, how did it feel, what were your thoughts and feelings?
2. Look around. What were the things that enabled that- again specific and large and small- might be enough time and money, or first perceiving a real need – a compelling need, people, close friends or colleagues that were of a many diverse background, a safe space, coming to an understanding of something significant- I’ll never forget your statement “I realized that she worshipped the same God I did.”
3. Look forward. Now dream- dream of continuing in that movement toward Paradise. What would happen, what would it be like, who would be involved? What do you need to do it- knowledge, contacts, money, space?
A number of very helpful ideas came from the conversation around the tables.
I invite you to review the vision, make your suggestions and let's build together.
Ben Johnson
Today we had a signficant service at the Shallowford Presbyterian Church around the topic: Beyond 9/11: Christians and Muslims Together -- A New World Vision.
Around 400 people attended the worship and visioning service at Shallowford today. After the worship, we gathered in the fellowship hall to have a fine Halal dinner for Muslims and Christians. The Great Hall was nearly full as we shared fellowship around the tables. Following the lunch we took time to fill our cards with name, address, phone, and email. Then we began a conversation around remembered experiences. Here are the directions that were given:
1. Look in. Think about a time when you felt the most like you were participating in, living in, working toward a community where each person was treasured as a child of God. Be specific, how did it feel, what were your thoughts and feelings?
2. Look around. What were the things that enabled that- again specific and large and small- might be enough time and money, or first perceiving a real need – a compelling need, people, close friends or colleagues that were of a many diverse background, a safe space, coming to an understanding of something significant- I’ll never forget your statement “I realized that she worshipped the same God I did.”
3. Look forward. Now dream- dream of continuing in that movement toward Paradise. What would happen, what would it be like, who would be involved? What do you need to do it- knowledge, contacts, money, space?
A number of very helpful ideas came from the conversation around the tables.
I invite you to review the vision, make your suggestions and let's build together.
Ben Johnson
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Beginning of A Vision
(A First Draft of a)
A 2020 VISION FOR THE CITY
In the year 2020 the major religions in Atlanta will have come together in the power of God’s love to work for the betterment of the city. As a consequence of working together, the faith-inspired society will demonstrate love and respect for each other. Efforts will continue to further understand each other’s faith.
By 2020 the religious leaders of the community will have found in God’s love a foundation for acceptance, respect, and mutual caring. Prayer and worship in one’s own traditional and also prayer and worship together will provide deeper respect and new ways of being a community.
After steadily working together over a number of years, through these religious people God will create a force to overcome poverty, exclusion, and oppression.
The Children of Abraham – Jews, Christians, and Muslims -- will work together to provide for every person education, job skills, opportunities, homes and the self-confidence that enables full participation in the society. The goal will remain – Liberty and Justice for all!
Because of these strides in human relationships the citizens will live without fear and suspicion. Oppressors will be exposed, disciplined and resisted. The New Community will root out crime and lawlessness, particularly the use and distribution of drugs.
As all of us claim our faith and live in the power of Love, it will create a centripetal force that will draw in those who live on the margins. The raw experience of injustice, oppression, and powerlessness will make these brothers and sisters effective teachers of all of us.
This vision can only be achieved if the Children of Abraham claim their faith, understand their faith, and work together in the power of their faith.
Can this day be the beginning of the fulfillment of this vision?
(Your additions and Corrections to this initial proposal is very important.)
A 2020 VISION FOR THE CITY
In the year 2020 the major religions in Atlanta will have come together in the power of God’s love to work for the betterment of the city. As a consequence of working together, the faith-inspired society will demonstrate love and respect for each other. Efforts will continue to further understand each other’s faith.
By 2020 the religious leaders of the community will have found in God’s love a foundation for acceptance, respect, and mutual caring. Prayer and worship in one’s own traditional and also prayer and worship together will provide deeper respect and new ways of being a community.
After steadily working together over a number of years, through these religious people God will create a force to overcome poverty, exclusion, and oppression.
The Children of Abraham – Jews, Christians, and Muslims -- will work together to provide for every person education, job skills, opportunities, homes and the self-confidence that enables full participation in the society. The goal will remain – Liberty and Justice for all!
Because of these strides in human relationships the citizens will live without fear and suspicion. Oppressors will be exposed, disciplined and resisted. The New Community will root out crime and lawlessness, particularly the use and distribution of drugs.
As all of us claim our faith and live in the power of Love, it will create a centripetal force that will draw in those who live on the margins. The raw experience of injustice, oppression, and powerlessness will make these brothers and sisters effective teachers of all of us.
This vision can only be achieved if the Children of Abraham claim their faith, understand their faith, and work together in the power of their faith.
Can this day be the beginning of the fulfillment of this vision?
(Your additions and Corrections to this initial proposal is very important.)
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