While an officer in the British army, John Bowker was sent to control a riot over a donkey between religious factions in a northern Nigerian marketplace.
“I did everything by the book,” Bowker said. “You had to blow a trumpet, you had to have an interpreter, you had to say, ‘Go home,’ three times or, ‘I’ll fire.’ ”
It was no use. The crowd could not be calmed and soon pulled the donkey limb from limb. While witnessing the spectacle, Bowker had an epiphany.
“I suddenly realized I wanted to understand why religious people hated each other so much,” he says. His career has included Anglican priesthood and editing The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. He also has written several books, including “Licenced Insanities: Religions and Belief in God in the Contemporary World.”
Glad to see our local article made it to T19. I love how the dissenters are always from the small parishes. St Francis in Turlock is shrinking fast after a liberal priest was there for 4-5 years. All the conservatives left. Those left are trying to keep it going, but the road is rough. Oakdale is a great parish, but again small. I think our recotr in Modesto likes staying under the radar. Two weeks until convention.
These Hindus need to read their sacred texts and the Episcopalians need to read the Bible. Both groups would benefit from some ancient wisdom!