[Cailean]

So, Rufus, I guess your church is hoping that the 'pagans' (which really means "country dweller" by the way, as does "heathen") will just go away if you ignore them long enough?

If you want to change the way people think, you must engage them in dialogue. To do that often means meeting them half-way (at least). The purpose of 'inter-faith' meetings or forums, as I understand them, is to two-fold:

1) To explain and describe the various belief systems present in a community and to dispel any myths and misconceptions about those faiths (Christians, included.)

2) To focus on what different faiths have in common in order to achieve positive change within communities (social justice initiatives, etc.)


I am always disappointed to hear so-called Christians flat-out insult and disparage (and discriminate against) non-Christians - or Christians who don't share there particular doctrine.

Zaccheus springs instantly to mind... as do a few other names from the Book. People who were non-believers and, therefore, marginalized by the religious community - the Pharisees. Of course, one member of the religious community of that time saw things a little differently and engaged these people - without harsh words, but words of comfort and encouragement - much to the disgust of the Pharisees. Anyone care to guess who this person was? I think we know.