A moment from “CBS presents MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH: An Interfaith Christmas Special, hosted by the United Religions Initiative”
The holiday season is a time to celebrate traditions – old and new; religious and secular. These traditions – and the symbols and stories that accompany them – are important not only because they are held as sacred by particular groups of people, but also because they remind us that diversity itself is at the heart of a democratic society. Cultural and religious diversity are the threads that when woven together create the rich and beautiful fabric of American society. If America is beautiful “from sea to shining sea,” it is because of our belief that “We the People of the United States…” refers to people of all nations, creeds, colors, orientations and beliefs coming together as one society, one people whose strength comes from our diversity not in spite of it.
The recognition that tension and conflict are necessary and healthy parts of a diverse democracy seems to be particularly difficult for some Americans, who too often view difference as a threat to their own identity rather than resource for a vibrant community, country and world. This often becomes particularly pronounced at Christmas.
I grew up in a Christian family in which religious and cultural diversity was seen as a blessing, not a curse. The stories and practices of people of different religious traditions were always a source of curiosity and learning, never a threat to the beauty of my own faith or beliefs.
As I look out at the American political landscape and then beyond to that of countries around the world struggling to embrace diversity, I am amazed and saddened at the ways in which the fear of human difference is too often used to divide people from one another – bigotry in the guise of group solidarity. To stand together in community with those different from oneself, or with a person with whom one disagrees, even vehemently, is an essential ingredient of a democratic society.
During Christmas, we all have the opportunity to appreciate and learn from the Christian experience of the world told through the story of birth of Jesus. But even more importantly, Christmas calls us celebrate the values at the heart of this story: values of love, hope, compassion and peace that are necessary for sustaining life in all of our families and our communities. These are also universal themes that are expressed in all of the world’s religious, spiritual and indigenous traditions.
There is no denying that religion has been used for destructive purposes. We all must continue to work against the violence that can result from the misuse of religion. But this does not negate the fact that religion and spirituality is also a source of inspiration and wisdom that can lead to peace, justice and healing. And as such, we must also seize opportunities to appreciate the experiences of people of all traditions and learn from moments such as Yom Kippur, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Eid, and so many other sacred and secular celebrations that are part of the tapestry of America and the world.
In an attempt to reclaim the richness of diversity as a resource for America and the world, the United Religions Initiative (URI) has created a special interfaith program “May Peace Prevail on Earth: An Interfaith Christmas Special” which will be broadcast on CBS stations nationally on Christmas Eve. Christians, Muslims and Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Humanists, Baha’is, Sikhs and Indigenous peoples – people of all faiths and spiritual beliefs from across America and around the world – came together to create this celebration on the occasion of Christmas to offer a gift of hope and peace for the world. It is the gift of seeing ordinary people of different beliefs respecting each other’s traditions, living together peacefully, caring for one another, and working together to better their communities. It is a positive alternative to the polarizing rhetoric all too prevalent during a season supposedly dedicated to peace, love and joy.
At a time when horrific violence in the name of religion dominates the news, and prejudice and intolerance threaten to undermine our diverse communities and our democratic society, the world needs to know that peace among people of all religions and cultures is possible in our communities, in our country and in our world. May this Christmas be a time when we give and receive the gift of diversity that is so essential to democracy.
“CBS presents MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH: An Interfaith Christmas Special, hosted by the United Religions Initiative” airs on CBS TV Network stations nationwide on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 11:35pm Eastern and Pacific (10:35pm Central). The program will also be available online anytime after December 24 at 8:35pm Pacific at uri.org/cbs.