Last fall, a group of strangers in Raleigh undertook a seemingly puny attempt at repairing a family dysfunction that shook the Middle East some 2,000 years ago.
Two dozen Christians and Jews filed into the all-purpose room at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, not exactly sure what awaited them. For the next six months, we earnestly discussed history, theology, readings, biblical passages and our personal reflections and experiences.
If I had to summarize the point of the half-year-long interfaith project while standing on one leg, I’d put it this way: Treat other religions as you’d like your religion to be treated.
Well. The Rev. Ward, the author’s pastor, leads a PCUSA congregation which has involved itself in some left-wing politics from time to time, according to an internet search. St. Mark’s Episcopal has long been a leader in the gay rights movement in the Episcopal diocese. I note that no Orthodox Jews, either modern or strict, participated in the event, and there are some such in the Raleigh area. The linked article ends with the odd assertion that Christian attitudes towards Jews are heavily determined by the influence of Marcion. It notes that Marcion was condemned as a heretic but insists that his ideas about Jews have tainted Christianity ever since. Based on this article alone, the effort seems to have made some progress in understanding rabbinical Judaism, but not so much on understanding orthodox Christian belief.
I wonder whether St Mark’s Episcopal has taken a stand regarding the State of Israel and the terrorist actions of the Palestinians.
I don’t know, sophy0075. St. Mark’s calls itself a “progressive” church community and has several references to its gay-affirming ministries on its website. I think it is unlikely to be a supporter of Israel. I’d like to be wrong.