Pastor Gary Bourbeau wrote a thoughtful piece about the role of faith leaders in public discourse (Jan. 11). It’s a voice he considers missing in an effort to protect “separation of church and state.”
His perspective is reasonable. However, he writes about sharing “the truth” and states “the truth exists in Jesus.” Perhaps. But doesn’t it also possibly exist in Mohammed, or in the Buddha, or in Shiva, or in all of them (or many more)?
To put one religious belief system above another is the source of much human conflict. Can faith leaders speak to the deeper — and perhaps universal — beliefs of faith communities, setting aside any advocacy for the particulars of one’s own faith? Maybe faith leaders can support the idea of universal truths about the innate goodness of human beings and the shared belief in a “golden rule” which shows up in every major religion. Maybe faith leaders can speak on behalf of the power of compassionate action. Maybe they can be the ones who remind us that it is reasonable to expect righteous work from our elected officials, rather than accept the distortion of information for political expediency. Those voices, the ones that remind of us of our potential for unity and respect, are surely needed at the table of public service.
Robbie Murphy
Colrain