Carol Forsloff-----Every year in January people celebrate World Religion Day. It is a time for people of all faiths to come together to share ideas and beliefs and to form bonds of friendship. At Thanksgiving, it is also common for a dinner to be held in commemoration of those bonds and to allow people to express their friendship, while they learn about the beliefs that are shared or are unique for each group.
Shreveport World Religion Day is an occasion that acknowledges the diversity of beliefs by offering a conference and public forum. As occurs in many cities around the world people of all faiths come together and speak about their respective beliefs by way of forums, workshops, lectures, music and displays. And in doing so, they not only educate one another, they form lasting bonds in recognition of their ideas that people can be connected through a common thread of love for one's fellow man and one's Creator, however that idea is manifested.
In the world of controversy, disappointment and argument, when there are opportunities for people of different cultures or religions to share, it becomes a time to acknowledge the ways in which people are the same, as opposed to reinforcing differences. The outcome is one of bringing each person to a different perspective than the narrow view of the world as being one's region or small community and one's particular idea of religion, ethics and God.
That idea of being connected through one God or part of a universal concept of nature is part of poetry, song, book topics and discussion groups. Sometimes it appears it is an almost yearning to know that other person of a different culture or religion and to become a friend, or at least to be someone who has some notion of understanding and connection with another individual who may not think the same but has that essential goodness that is appealing.
The arguments that come from political, social and religious differences have the effect of making people sad, uncomfortable or even angry. Psychologists remind us that when we indulge in our differences, or negative thoughts, we can be depressed and that can turn inside to hurt ourselves or outside to hurt others.
World Religion Day is one of those special times when people get to meld, merge, join hands, sing, play, smile, laugh and generally enjoy one another. As a journalist who has written about those occasions, the joy of having been involved with these remarkable times remains as a positive lifetime experience.
An article in an AkLaTex online site offers these observations from participants: "I believe that if we can learn to tolerate other people's religions and not feel that we're opposed to them and have to stop other people's religions, then we can live in peace with each other," says Bob Jordan, who sat in on a lecture.
"I really like to see how the different religions are helping to take care of our community and to show compassion in the world," says Pam Carlilse, who sat in on a panel discussion.
Muslim Chaplain Khurshid Khan has been concerned that so many people misunderstand Islam and focus on terrorism, which is contrary to the tenets of his faith.
"Somebody says terrorism, somebody says, "oh, they're not good people, they don't know who they follow or worship,'" Khan was reported to say. "We worship only one God."
The holding hands of a a Jewish man, Catholic nun, and Muslim in the joy of understanding is an image we can all enjoy, in reminding us of the good in our world that far surpasses any negative thought or notion we might have toward one another.
