The Power of Unity

“Every religion stresses love, respect, and sharing other's suffering." ~ Dalai Lama

Miss Gallagher gave her second graders an assignment to bring an item from home that symbolized their religious background.  It offered an opportunity for her students to celebrate their spiritual practices together, even if they don’t overlap.  

At show-and-tell time, they began to share what each particular item meant to their family’s  traditions.  It was meant to teach the kids about the worship diversity around the country.

One child brought a Roman Catholic Rosary and pointed out that it’s made up of a cross or crucifix, a medal, large beads and small beads.  He shared with the class how they used the beads to keep track of the 3 basic prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary and  Glory Be prayers.

A Native American child brought a dream catcher.  She told the class how mothers and grandmothers would weave magical webs for the children, using willow hoops and cords made from plants.  The dreamcatchers would filter out all bad dreams and only allow good thoughts to enter their minds.  Once the sun rose, all bad dreams disappeared.

A Jewish child brought a candle and talked about how it was used to celebrate Hanukkah, an 8-day festival celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, spirituality over materiality, and of purity over sin.  Mostly and according to Judaism, it celebrates the fact that God can make miracles for those who stand up for truth and justice.

A Muslim student brought a small embroidered Prayer Rug.  He showed how Islamic worshippers kneel and bow low to the ground in humility before God.   When the time for prayer comes, worshippers spread their rug on the ground, so that its top points towards the direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  Afterwards, the rug is immediately rolled and safely stored to ensure its cleanliness.

A Southern Baptist, brought a homemade chicken casserole.  “There's no highfalutin cooking going on here,” he said.  “Just soul warming food made from scratch.  Potluck dinners are a tradition in our church.  And believe it or not, they’re more about sharing and giving than actually eating.” 

Miss Gallagher taught a lesson that day, but not the one she was planning on. We may be diverse in our backgrounds, but it is the power of unity that can bring great worship.

Clearly, the diversity of religions has created contention rather than community in many cases.  Many of us shy away from exploring unfamiliar religious holidays because we’re concerned about our own ignorance or about offending others.  

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is a basic tenet of virtually every religion in the world.  Accordingly, all religions are at their most fundamental level, the same.  They are connected, forming a powerful unifying force if properly understood.

Lord I pray for an end to the madness of war raged in the name of religion.  May we each be peacefully free to attend matters of our spirit in any way as long as it extends respect and peace to others.  Amen