Forgiveness is a powerful angel of healing and one of several tools that help diverse religions work together for the greater good.
Beyond interfaith considerations, there can also be "intra-faith" issues creating points of discomfort within one's own faith. In such instances, we may need to forgive our religion in order to set aside its perceived imperfections.
Faith groups are composed of unique individuals with varying perceptions, interpretations and judgmental criteria that shape their attitudes, thoughts, words and actions at all levels within the group. Not surprisingly, both clergy and adherents will occasionally find themselves at odds with certain aspects of their own faith tradition due to causes that are, more often than not, beyond their control.
In such instances, one must step back and embrace the larger question -- whether a circumstance is significant enough to destroy the faith-follower relationship.
If the answer is "no," the proper action becomes that of forgiving one's religion and moving on within it. This is a better course of action than quickly and/or blindly divorcing one's religion in favor of another -- one that most likely comes with its own imperfections.
Evoking healing forgiveness in those rare occurences where aligning with another path to the divine is unavoidable can greatly smooth the transition.
The act of forgiving is a truly awesome healing process deeply rooted in divine love and available to all. The place to use it first is within ourselves -- only by first forgiving ourselves can we truly forgive others.
It is comforting to know that while we humans are diverse and imperfect beings we're also integral parts of a greater divine plan so breathtakingly perfect so as to be beyond our comprehension.
Learning to forgive ourselves, those around us and, when necessary, our religion will help us find joy in our diverse and interconnected existence.
Blessed be such things.
Harry Dorman is an ordained Wiccan priest and minister associated with Circle Sanctuary, Barneveld, Wisc., and a co-founder of the Area Council On Religious Diversity. For past Perspective columns, written by area religious leaders, log on to record-eagle.com/perspectives.
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