Springtime ushers in the annual observance of Easter and Passover, a time of renewal -- a celebration of new life and new possibilities. Yet there are those who point out a disturbing trend of decline within the religious traditions upon which our country was founded. I'm not sure how to interpret these statistical analyses that signal "doom and gloom" for the traditional faiths that still influence the way we govern and live as citizens.
There has always been tension between the organized institutions of faith and the actual living out of faith. As individualistic as our American culture is, it doesn't surprise me that reports of decline in institutions of faith sound their alarm.
Young people, particularly the "twentysomethings," are frustrated with the lack of authenticity within communities of faith. Bureaucratic polity, doctrinal nitpicking and a longing for truly inclusive community discourage them as they seek to make a tangible difference.
In order to move into a more unified community of faith, it might be good to embrace what is common to all of our faith traditions -- concern and care for our neighbor. New possibilities for our community at large might be achieved, as one "twentysomething" observed, "once we confess our negative attitudes, our enmeshed anger and our prideful self-indulgence and seek meaningful reconciliation." This begins with accentuating our positives and a call to steward our resources with the needs of our neighbor in mind.
Engaging one another in interfaith cooperation can go a long way to communicate collectively:
* Respect for each faith tradition that seeks not only mutual understanding but creative solutions to our communities' challenges.
* Concern for poverty and hungry children in Northwest Indiana.
* Our intolerance for racial and ethnic abuse and patterns of hate.
* The desire for elected leadership to avoid wasteful litigation and invest in the real transportation needs for the poor, students, elderly and disenfranchised.
* A potential path to same-sex civil unions that honor civil rights and varied religious opinions.
We can no longer hyphenate our faith. We are not liberal, conservative, progressive or libertarian -- we are people of faith concerned for the need of our neighbor. Decisive actions speak volumes about who we are as people of faith regardless of our tradition. We are people of faith possessing the collective passion to encourage renewal, new life and new possibilities.
Seriously embracing these values and purposes, we will begin to be unified in genuine community.
The Rev. Joseph Cunningham is university pastor and dean of the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.
