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Vern Barnet's email
Interview with Josef Walker
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| 1. How is your Christian faith
affected by knowing and working with people of other traditions? |
When I experience the faith of my friends
who are from other religious traditions, whether we are sharing stories
or I am simply observing how they go about their daily life, I feel a hopeful
glow in my heart. To hear and see their love for family, neighbor, and
creation affirms my Christian belief that God’s Spirit is truly present
in all people and all places.
Recently I had the opportunity to spend
several hours with a friend who is a Muslim as we planned a workshop presentation.
As we talked about our respective faiths and our personal journeys I was
struck by both the similarities and the differences in our beliefs and
histories. In the case of the differences, I found it important for me
to honor those and not minimize them or reframe his beliefs and experiences
in my own Christian terms. On the other hand, many times our beliefs and
stories seemed to be parallel even as they remained distinct. In both the
similarities and differences I could recognize and affirm that God’s grace
– which is beyond all understanding or tradition – was being experienced
in and expressed through my friend’s life.
When I encounter someone who demonstrates
deep compassion and insight – whether that person is an atheist or spiritual
seeker or none-of-the-above – I find that experience both humbling and
comforting at the same time. Such encounters confirm my belief that God’s
love really is THAT universal, THAT all-encompassing. If God’s love is
present in all people, everywhere, then I really am one very small part
of a very big human family. At the same time, I am reminded that if God’s
love is truly present in everyone then that Holy Spirit must be in me,
too, and that makes me want to shout with joy! |
| 2. Why do you think it is important
for the metro area to encourage interfaith activity? |
I believe our society – neighborhoods,
religious bodies, educational institutions, etc. – need to make it a priority
to create opportunities for people of different spiritualties, cultures,
economic statuses, etc. to come together and build meaningful relationships.
Most immediately, that weaves together the fabric of our local community
– the neighborhoods that are responsible for nurturing our youth and caring
for our elderly and empowering all people to live happy and healthy lives.
Beyond our local concerns, we live in a global age with global issues –
hunger, climate change, nuclear proliferation, etc. – and if we “practice”
building relationships here at home then we are better equipped to understand,
appreciate, and collaborate with all of our neighbors on the planet.
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| 3. You have seen instances
where religious bigotry has been applauded, sometimes by those who are
well-meaning but ignorant of the faiths being defamed. How is our community
endangered by this?
4. How does religion (my religion!) get
wrapped up in faux patriotism and how should we guard against this? |
It makes me sad when I see good, well-meaning
people become infected with prejudice of any kind. Prejudice is driven
by fear – fear of people who “aren’t like me” or fear of change or fear
of loss of perceived status or security – and it is always enflamed by
those who use prejudice and fear to gain political power for their own
perverse devices. The antidote is for good people to band together and
be steadfast in relationship, in dialogue, and in unity so as to resist
the temptation to demonize – or even merely exclude – anyone or any group.
I want to acknowledge that it takes great
personal and spiritual discipline to resist the primal urge to be fearful.
It is much easier to create an atmosphere of distrust than it is to nurture
and maintain a community of healthy relationships. The world’s major religions
and philosophies have much to offer us on this subject in that they all
stress the essential reality that for any of us to have opportunity and
security we must work hand-in-hand so as to be able to live side-by-side
with people who are different from us. At the most basic level, we must
remember that every person is a unique individual and therefore different
from every other individual. As responsible adult citizens we either grow
towards trust or, taken to the extreme, we trust no one, perhaps not even
ourselves |
| 5. How would you like your
professional history and status to be presented briefly? |
Josef Walker serves as Interim Minister
at Westwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
A native of Kansas City, he has served
in area congregations and ecumenical and interfaith ministries. |
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