Second Abrahamic Interfaith Dialog Program
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Report on Second Abrahamic Interfaith Dialogue Program
June 28, 2003, Yuba City, California
On June 28, 2003, about 40 people met in the Sutter County
Agriculture Commission meeting room in Yuba City, California, for the
Second Yuba-Sutter Abrahamic Interfaith Dialogue Program. We followed the
same general format as our first program with a couple of significant
changes.
Following opening remarks and a review of "interfaith basics"
(see "respectful presence" in report of 5/8/03 event), representatives of
the three Abrahamic faith traditions-Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam-delivered opening prayers. The common theme among them was for
peace and understanding among peoples of divergent backgrounds and
beliefs.
Our keynote speaker for this event was Mr. Ali Jensen, a follower
and student of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam. Jensen described his
personal conversion to Islam some 26 years ago and related a story about
how he met his spiritual teacher. He explained that Sufism requires one
to have a living teacher, one who not only knows a great deal, but who
embodies the religion as well.
Jensen's main focus for the remainder of his presentation was on mysticism
vs. fundamentalism. He explained that a basic goal of Sufism is to be
with God, in this life as well as after. After discussing the age-old
conflict between mystics and fundamentalists in all three Abrahamic
traditions, Jensen asserted that something we all have in common is a
basic belief in the unseen.
He went on to explain his view that the terms
fundamental and fundamentalism need not have a negative connotation. He
explained that there are two types of fundamentalists: those who adhere
strongly to their religious beliefs but do not tell others how to act, and
those whose primary mission in life is to force their beliefs on others.
Following Mr. Jensen's thirty-minute talk and a 15-minute
question-and-answer period, participants seated themselves around six
tables, each with a trained facilitator, for an hour of small-group
dialogue. Program organizers made sure that at least one person from each
of the three faith traditions was seated at each table. After
introductions and a review of interfaith dialogue ground rules and
guidelines, participants discussed their individual faith journeys as well
as any personal experience with or views on mysticism and fundamentalism.
Participant evaluation forms, completed at the end of the program,
were once again overwhelmingly positive. Comments indicated personal
enjoyment, appreciation for the opportunity to learn about the beliefs and
experience of others, and a desire to engage in further dialogue. In the
words of one participant, "It is so good to meet with people who express
the light, love and joy of God." Suggestions for future events included
requests for more group discussion time and a format that allows
participants to discuss with more than one group.
Our planning committee met on July 17 to reflect on our work thus
far and to begin planning future events. Our next planning meeting will
be the end of August and our next event, sometime in October.
You may read an article published in the local newspaper about our June 28
program here.
Report submitted by Robert Wachman
Comments and inquiries may be sent to ysinterfaith@aol.com
This report was listed by Peacemaker Circle International.
12:56:44 PM 
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