My own ignorance

I love to give myself pats on the back for my ecumenical spirit, and love to receive said pats as well.  I trumpet the idea of "many paths up the mountain" to the Divine.  Thomas Merton, the Dalai Lama, Robert Kennedy SJ, Hans Kung, Bishop Spong, Matthew Fox, are among those I tell folks are my inspiration, all in the spirit of ecumenism.

But what do I really know?

Well, let's just break this down; not very damned much.

I've done a bit of self examen recently; and I've come to the conclusion that I'm just about as ignorant as they come, although I'm nice about it.  In a recent thought-provoking blog post from Kelly West Figueroa-Ray, she witnessed a good-natured member of her church asking a visiting Muslim if they were "a good Muslim or a bad Muslim".  I could see myself asking the same question; and in the same breath could see myself becoming highly offended if someone asked me if I was a "good Catholic or a bad Catholic".  The realization that I am part of the problem and not yet part of the solution stopped me in my tracks.

And I have to admit; while I know a good deal about Catholic Christianity and have a fair working knowledge of Paganism (I dabbled in my college years) I know next to nothing about Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, even the workings of other Christian faiths.  How can I advocate ecumenism when I'm ignorant of most other faiths?

Perhaps it is providence that's brought me here.  I hope I can learn something from you all.

Pax et Bonum,

T