The Interfaith Movement

By Rev. Ellyn Kravette
Ordained Interfaith Minister
Advisory Circle Member
School of Sacred Ministries

What does Interfaith mean?

Interfaith is very difficult to define because it means different things to different groups. At its essence is a respect for those other than one's own group. It is an acknowledgement of different beliefs and understandings. It is not a blending, but an embracing, of the values and traditions of others.

In some Christian communities it is an ecumenical outreach between Catholic sects, Eastern and Roman Orthodox; for some, it is recognition between Catholic and Protestant sects because there is no recognition of those who do not pronounce Jesus, the Christ as the only way. For these Christian communities, to acknowledge each other has been a major step. This is sad when one takes into consideration the words of St. Augustine who wrote, "That which is called the Christian religion existed amongst the ancients and never did cease to exist, from the beginning of the human race, until Christ came into the flesh at which time the true religion, which already existed, began to be called Christianity."

In our desire for "specialness" or exclusivity we keep trying to make an inclusive world, exclusive. Although exclusivity may appear to work in the short run, we keep finding in the long run that it only creates disharmony and imbalance. This is perhaps, why many with spiritual maturity see no boundaries and embrace the unfathomable existence of God that yearns to be known through consciousness. The Buddhists would call this being "awakened".

Because the living God has a rebirth, a regeneration, every time WE allow Its light to reflect in us, from us and through us.... you and me...
My understanding is that Interfaith is a Universal Ecumenical outreach which embraces all faith traditions including those who identify with a personal nonsectarian philosophy of life. Jung refers to this as "the new myth". He says,

A notable feature of the new myth is its capacity to unify the various current religions of the world. By seeing all functioning religions as living expressions of individuation symbolism, i.e., the process of creating consciousness, an authentic basis is laid for a true ecumenical attitude. The new myth will not be one more religious myth in competition with all the others for man's allegiance; rather, it will elucidate and verify every functioning religion by giving more conscious and comprehensive expression to its essential meaning. The new myth can be understood and lived within one of the great religious communities such as Catholic Christianity, Protestant Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc. or in some new community yet to be created, or by individuals without specific community connections. This universal application gives it a genuine claim to the term 'catholic".

For the first time in history we now have an understanding of man so comprehensive and fundamental that it can be the basis for a unification of the world, first religiously and culturally and, in time politically. When enough individuals are carriers of the "consciousness of wholeness," the world itself will become whole. (1)


I belong to a very small home church community while Pebble Hill Church (in which the School of Sacred Ministries is cradled) is an example of the potential of this kind of gathering on a larger scale. For both of our groups, it is not the size but the quality of connection, the sense of being heard and loved, the sense of family that is the important factor. Pebble Hill uses the word "Fellowship" rather than the word church in its name. Our "church" uses a small "c' because the word 'church' means universal. Our group is comprised of the ideas of its people. As it is not defined by an institution or doxology, our group brings "church" with them when they come and take "church" out into the world by their words and actions when they leave. The following is our mission statement, which coincides with the Jungian construct. We invite you to use it if it serves you.

We are philosophically aligned with the Interfaith Movement. We support a service-focused ministry committed to the integrity of the individual and the individual's own spiritual search.

We believe in the concept of a Single, Omnipotent, Compassionate and Universal Source of Spiritual Consciousness, not separate or remote.

We affirm all paths as spiritual.

We hold that the most important purpose of religion is healing and value ritual as a way of opening to and touching the spiritual dimension of life and not as an entity for its own sake.

It is our hope to provide a place for spiritual exploration, enrichment, renewal, compassion and enlightenment.

We welcome people of all faiths and those with no church affiliations.

"Human consciousness and the human mind, heart, and will are not static and fixed but alive, dynamic, unfolding. Thus each age, each culture, each country has its own particular focus, central preoccupations, and tasks, which change in time, meet challenges, and evolve as they pass through major quantitative metamorphoses."1
Anglican priest, Fr. John Rossner reflects that the "one common denominator in most of the world's great religions". ..."' is the explicit or implicit message that ordinary people, who often behave in sub human ways half of the time, can indeed be transformed or changed into something better, something more fully human and hence more Divine, God-like, or at least more authentic, and less distorted." 2

In summary, as A Course in Miracles tells us, it is the illusion generated by the ego that would have us believe that we are separated from God in the first place or that we have to struggle to get back to God, to whom we are already a part. I believe that the time has come for the movement of Interfaith, to celebrate, ritualize and acknowledge that all paths lead to the temple of God that we carry within our hearts and consciousness as we journey home.


   Sources:

   1. "The Creation of Consciousness", Edinger, p32.
   2. Peter Roche de Coppens, "The Invisible Temple"