Saturday, July 26, 1997

Definition of religious diversity is changing

By TOM SCHAEFER / Knight-Ridder Newspapers

Religious diversity can enrich the lives of believers, or it can muddy the faith.

Consider two examples.

Example No. 1: Last weekend, Baha'is in the small town of Enterprise, Kan. - the second Baha'i community in the western hemisphere - celebrated their centennial.

Today, more than 350 Enterprise Baha'is - about 40 percent of the population - continue the legacy of a faith that stresses the unity of humankind and the oneness of all religions.

"It took courage for them to believe what they did despite not having any further contact with other Baha'is," said Marilyn Ray, a member of the Baha'i faith in Hays who took part in the celebration.

One hundred years after the Baha'i faith took root in central Kansas, adherents still abound, having supported the spread of their faith to 233 countries. In one respect, however, they are the exception to a changing definition of religious diversity.

Historically, religious diversity meant clearly defined beliefs that distinguished one group from another. At best, it meant contending for those beliefs while respecting those of different faiths. Sadly, much of the history of religious diversity is one of prejudice and persecution rather than respect.

The new definition of diversity, however, focuses less on devotion to a faith and more on incorporating another's beliefs in yours. In a post-ecumenical age, Christians in particular have learned to pick and choose from different religions, even though what they choose may be at odds with the teachings and practices of their own faith.

Example No. 2: Last Saturday (7/19), about 1,000 people came to the Island of Light Kansas Metaphysical Fair at Century II convention center in Wichita, Kan., to meet and often consult psychics, clairvoyants, channelers, aura analysts, tarot card readers and other metaphysicians.

The mix of those who attended was pointed out by one of the organizers: "A lot of times on Sunday, after the churches are over, we'll get a big crowd," said Darla Deck in a story in The Wichita Eagle newspaper.

"That's ironic, isn't it?" she asked.

Yes, it is. Thirty years ago, interaction between practitioners of metaphysics and Christians would have been unheard of, or at least very isolated and quite secretive.

My intent here is not to criticize metaphysical practitioners but to underscore how diversity has been redefined. In the past, diversity meant each group stressing what was primary for its faith and what separated it from others. Now, more often than not, the lines that separate different religions are blurred.

The high point for the first definition of diversity came shortly after World War II. Leaders from churches throughout the world came together seeking unity without compromising beliefs. The ecumenical movement, trumpeted by this newly formed World Council of Churches, sought to find a common ground of faith while retaining the individual integrity of each denomination.

Fifty years later, the movement has stalled and the hope for unity in diversity has been replaced by faiths that suit the needs and the lifestyles of each believer.

Today, few people are willing to embrace all of what a church teaches. Most have learned not to trust authority, to question all claims of truth and to seek personal fulfillment in a manner with which they feel comfortable, even if it means going against specific religious teachings.

And that has led to an eclectic style of believing. For example, one person may incorporate the rituals of yoga in his personal meditations as a born-again Christian while another may assert the moral equality of all religions and believe in the actual presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

What's increasingly clear is that diversity doesn't mean maintaining the integrity of a faith as it has been historically defined. Like a trip to the supermarket, believers travel the aisles of various faiths and select items that suit their spiritual cravings.

The positive benefits are that many are learning to respect those who claim a faith different from theirs. Devotion to one's faith, after all, shouldn't separate us into hostile camps that war with words - or worse.

The danger is that somewhere down the line a faith may be re-created in the image of the believer and no one else recognizes it anymore.

"It took courage for them to believe what they did despite not having any further contact with other Baha'is," is a testament to how those in Enterprise upheld and carried on their faith even with their small numbers. They did not compromise what they believe, and they respected those who believed differently from them.

One hundred years from now, will anybody be able to say that about us and our faith?

Tom Schaefer writes about religion and ethics for the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle. Write to him at the Wichita Eagle, P.O. Box 820, Wichita, KS 67201, or send e-mail to tschaefer(at)wichitaeagle.com