Philosopher Richard Kearney’s book Anatheism (2009) presents faith as a “not knowing” that signifies a break with former sureties and invites the construction of new meanings from the most ancient of wisdoms. Anatheism (from ana-theos, or God after God) refers to an inaugural event that lies at the heart of every great religion, a wager between hospitality and hostility to the stranger, the other – the sense of something “more”.
The book draws upon various religious traditions in the interests of what the author calls a “sacred secularity”. Atheism, too, is valued as a corrective to idolatry and superstition.
Kearney concludes with a discussion of the role of theism and atheism in conflict and peace, confronting the distinction between sacramental and sacrificial belief, or the God who gives life and the God who takes it away. Accepting that we can never be sure about God, he argues, is a way to rediscover a hidden holiness in life.
That’s one philosophical way to proceed. Dialogue is another. The Uniting Church refers to four basic principles of interfaith dialogue identified by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (formerly the British Council of Churches): dialogue begins when people meet people; dialogue depends upon removing misunderstanding and building up trust; dialogue leads to common service within the community; dialogue is a means of authentic witness.
Members of the Uniting Church are involved in a number of dialogue groups, interfaith activities and government consultations on interfaith co-operation including the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews; and the Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue.
In next month’s issue of the SSH, our Youth of Today article will comprise a speech by Ibrahim Sakar which begins: “I am a Muslim, Lebanese and an Australian. I am 14 years of age, I like communicating with people, debating and public speaking … [Recently] I participated in a Together for Humanity Interfaith program at my school, Punchbowl Boys High School. This program was led by Rabbi Zalman Kastel, Sheikh Ahmad Abdo, Taha Allam (an ex-student of my school) and Pastor Greg Lake who used to be a manager of the Christmas Island refugee detention centre … I respect Australia a lot. I am proud to say that this is my country …”
The SSH will endeavour to include a number of articles like this, as well as pieces from particular religious perspectives. It’s something we can do to offset religious stereotyping, and the conflation of belief with fundamentalism/arrogance. It’s something we can do to support openness to new and respectful – hospitable, peaceable – expressions of the most ancient of wisdoms.
