A commendable way to bring people together

Post date: Nov 21, 2018 12:35:46 AM

RECORDER EDITORIAL Nov 16, 2018

In an era where we as a nation find ourselves seemingly ever more divided along political party lines, and racial and religious lines, when racist Ku Klux Klan recruitment fliers circulated around Southern Maryland just this week — and when gunmen feel angry and hateful enough to storm into a church or synagogue and shoot the innocent civilians worshipping peacefully within — inclusive faith-based events become all the more crucial for helping to reunite this broken and volatile America.

That’s why we wholeheartedly support the interfaith Thanksgiving event planned for this Sunday, Nov. 18. The celebration starts at 4 p.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 105 Vianney Lane in Prince Frederick. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

The event’s sponsors, Calvert Interfaith Council and Daughters of Abraham, for years now have held similar Thanksgiving events typically in conjunction with faith leaders from the Southern Maryland Islamic Center and Congregation Beit Chaverim, bringing together Jews, Muslims and Christians of all denominations for an all-encompassing communal opportunity these followers of different religious beliefs and customs rarely experience otherwise. Complete with local choirs, refreshments and inspiration from various faith traditions, this year’s fellowship event is marketed as a celebration of “courage, challenge and commitment.”

“Courage” and “challenge” are certainly key words that come to mind, particularly as the nation continues to reel from the Oct. 27 shooting of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that claimed the lives of 11 people and injured seven others. It can be a challenge to come back from a tragedy like that, to figure out how one individual became so fueled with targeted hatred and how to prevent it from happening elsewhere. And whether you believe the solution lies with arming more people at places of worship or that easy access to guns is the problem, it sure takes courage to give voice to your concerns and advocate for positive change, whether it be in your own community or at a governmental level.

That brings us to “commitment.” While it may be asking a lot for everyday, average citizens to champion a policy-making cause and see it through, it doesn’t feel as insurmountable a task to ask everyone to simply commit to being more open-minded, welcoming neighbors. This is the United States of America, bastion of free speech and religious worship, and Jews, Christians, Muslims and those of other beliefs have been praying together here and peaceably living together, for the most part, for decades — centuries, even. Our children attend public schools together and work on projects together. We see each other every day at work or out in the community. And most of us are pretty good at getting along with one another.

Let’s remember the importance of respecting and living peacefully among each other this weekend. And more than that, if you’re looking for a meaningful and worthwhile family outing on Sunday, join the Calvert Interfaith Council and Daughters of Abraham at their interfaith Thanksgiving and take some time to introduce your family to one who may practice a religion that is different from yours. Learn about their traditions, and share your own. Celebrate each other.

As we approach America’s staple holiday devoted to feasting large while surrounding ourselves with loved ones and giving thanks for what we have, there seems no better time of year to hold such a unifying and uplifting event. Those who wish to learn more about the interfaith council or this Sunday’s event can email calvertinterfaith@gmail.com.