Multifaceted Multifaith Monovision
Growing up, people thought it was weird that I wasn't just this (Christian) faith, or that one... that there were a number of religions in my family and my world. I was raised Catholic. My father, raised Mennonite, converted to marry my mother. My maternal grandmother, raised Jewish, converted to marry my grandfather. Extended family includes a range of Christian faiths, and Buddhism.
It's always been normal to me that folks practice different rituals, in different contexts, in different languages. Throughout my experiences, there has been a prevailing sense of seeking, and meaning making, and connection to community. Some sort of shared vision, approached from unique vantage points.
As I've aged I have continued to find myself in lots of religious places, for a host of reasons. Often it's visiting my mom. For years, I was in a relationship with someone who is Hindu, and we visited ashrams, and joined celebrations and gatherings of all kinds. I have worked alongside practicing Muslims, Christians, and Jewish folks forever.
For as many Masses and Christian services I have attended, the only experience I had that I would consider both spiritual and religious was at a Reform synagogue in New York City. The services were sung in Hebrew, so I couldn't easily follow the content. As I looked around I saw folks of all colors, sizes, and ages — I hadn't expected to see young blonde women, and young Black men, and multiracial multigenerational families. The best moment in the service was when the elders and kids joined together on the floor to dance in a circle: my great aunt, then in her mid-80s, took off like a flash to link arms with fellow congregants to sing and take a spin. I had never before felt, in my body, a sense of being connected to a lineage of belief, in a service that felt equal parts joyful, and profound. That moment has stayed with me over the years.
It's not weird to me that different folks hold different beliefs, and work together towards a shared vision. Where our neighbors are welcomed, and where we care for others, no matter their background, appearance, or specific beliefs.
Intolerance is weird to me. Withholding is often misguided. Cruelty is anathema.
Thankfully, I have enjoyed some religious environments and moments that were connected to my deeper values. I hope the same for more people.
