From THE CHRISTIAN POST SINGAPORE

Christianity Promotes Interfaith Relationships: NCCS President
Friday, May. 14, 2010 Posted: 1:51:34PM HKT


Bishop Dr Robert M Solomon, President of the National Council of Churches of Singapore, speaking at an event. (Photo: The Christian Post)

There is a popular misconception that the stronger the religious convictions, the deeper the divide between adherents of different religions. Many modern thinkers maintain that religion needs to be jettisoned for the sake of world peace and human progress.

Truth is, the Bible teaches Christians to build social ties with adherents of other religions.

This social acceptance comes from the core Christian belief in the existence of a transcendent yet personal God who created and saves humankind.

Knowing God as both Creator and Saviour shapes the way Christians relate with those of other faiths, according to the President of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS).

“As human beings created by the same God, there are many commonalities between Christians and their non-Christian neighbours as we encounter the same physical and social environment and often face the same issues because we live in the same world,” said Bishop Dr Robert M Solomon.

Speaking to The Christian Post during a special interview, Bishop Solomon stressed the need for Christians to relate with non-Christians at an interpersonal level. This will prevent stereotyping, he said.

At the same time, the Bible essentially teaches Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. Here, unfortunately, Christians may adopt a belittling attitude toward other religions.

This is based on a simplistic understanding of the theological superiority of Christianity, an important Singapore theologian has recently argued.

To gain a proper understanding of other religions, it is necessary to grasp the human need for God as universal and existential.

“We are made for God, and we will experience a profound sense of restlessness until we are in communion with our Creator,” said Dr Roland Chia.

Non-Christian religions, he argued, can be viewed as “expressions of the human search for meaning.” Though theologically imperfect, they “contain many important spiritual, moral and human truths and values that correspond to the revelation of God in Scripture,” he expressed.

And so non-Christian religions can be seen as ‘preparations for the Gospel’, he highlighted. For this reason, Christians must treat non-Christians with due respect.

Christians should treat others with gentleness and respect even as they find opportunities to share their faith with the latter, according to Bishop Solomon.

“Evangelism is not making a sale,” said the NCCS President. “It is an expression of our love for others, and this love will always treat others with respect.”

Even if others are unwilling to hear them out, Christians “can still go on doing good to them and praying for their wellbeing,” he urged.

The Bible teaches a theological, not social, exclusiveness, the bishop highlighted.

Christians should not seek exclusiveness in their social relationships. That is, except where they involve idolatry or sinful practices.

He said: “We visit the same markets, fly on the same planes, and take part in the same sports. In these things we should not seek exclusiveness.”
On how Christians can promote inter-religious harmony, the bishop advised them not to cut themselves off from social interaction with people of other faiths. Then he encouraged Christians to have “as many deep personal friendships as possible with persons of other faiths in their workplaces and neighbourhoods.” Finally Christians should not do anything that is unnecessarily offensive to others.

Moreover Christians need not hesitate to participate in interfaith dialogue and cooperative humanitarian efforts.

Asked why many Christian leaders fear involvement in such areas, Bishop Solomon replied: “Why should they fear if they are confident of their faith.”

The worry may be rooted in a wrong idea of inter-religious dialogue to begin with.

Such dialogue, however, does not seek to amalgamate different religious groups.

Instead interfaith dialogue is an opportunity to develop friendships and explore common social concerns. These include the poor and environmental issues, the bishop said.

There is no contradiction between the Christian call and nation-building. Christians are to make positive contributions to the nation as witnesses of the good God they serve.

Bishop Solomon also highlighted social issues he felt Christians should address.

Firstly there is the welfare of foreign workers in Singapore. Secondly there are the effects of a fast-paced, consumerist lifestyle in relationships especially those in the family. Thirdly Christians could help the poor in society and bridging income disparities.

Christians can also contribute to the growing needs of the aging population. They can share their views on public square issues that affect their lives. And they can pray for their nation and society.