Guidelines for Multi-Faith Worship
GUIDELINES FOR MULTI-FAITH WORSHIP (1998)
(Abbreviated and amended in the light of 2004 edition of Manual of Laws)
Dialogue/Worship
In thinking about other faiths, the response of many Christians is -'Dialogue yes, worship no'. It is recognised that the focus for those engaged in inter-faith work is meeting and dialogue, rather than worship. A leaflet 'At Home With People of Other Faiths' produced by the Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum encourages local meetings of people of different faiths. But it states 'These meetings are not services of worship… the objectives of such gatherings are: to meet with people of other faiths and talk together; to develop mutual understanding and mutual trust; to learn to understand what others believe and value; to learn to share our commitment and faith with others, while respecting their commitment to their own faith.'
However times arise, in schools and universities, on civic occasions and in trauma situations, when representatives of the Christian churches are asked to participate in what are often called 'Inter-Faith Worship Services'. Worship is two-way. God encounters the worshippers and they enter into His presence. But this is the point at which religions differ, for different traditions understand 'worship' in different ways. The basic transaction of worship and the understanding of divinity differs from faith to faith and therefore offers little common ground on which inter-faith worship can be based. Indeed, Buddhists, even in those forms of Buddhism which allow prayer to Bodhisattvas, focus ultimately on Nirvana, and not on any concept of God. From this point of view, a negative reaction to inter-faith worship is understandable and justifiable. This begs the question as to whether we should in any circumstances meet for worship with those of other faiths. Some may say no; some may look for a suitable way so to do.
Gatherings for Worship
Gatherings for worship which involve members of different faith communities can and do take different forms -
(i) a Christian service, in which members of non-Christian groups participate
(ii) a multi-faith service where there is an agreed common order which blends both Christian and non-Christian material together;
(iii) a multi faith service in what could be termed 'serial' form ie. each faith is clearly identified and is allocated its own part in the programme in which to offer worship.
The Christian service with participation by members of non-Christian groups may not provide a problem for us, but would surely be difficult for those of other faiths. The service where there is an agreed order blending items from Christian and non-Christian sources would create problems because of the theological implications already outlined - ie. that such actions may suggest that there is nothing unique or even distinctive about Christianity. With this type of service, charges of idolatry, syncretism and indifference are hard to avoid.
The service in serial form could provide a more acceptable option for Christians:
- each act of worship is self contained and involves what is characteristic of the worship of the faith concerned.
- each faith community selects and presents its own material. For Christians, it would be appropriate to include readings from the Bible, a creed of the Church, hymns and trinitarian prayer.
- those present at this type of service share in the worship of other faiths only to the extent to which they feel comfortable and able to do so.
- we worship in each others presence and respect the worship of others; we do not necessarily worship together.
- our presence at such a service shows our commitment to Christian worship and our acknowledgement of the right of others to worship according to their own tradition.
- the term 'multi-faith' is better than 'inter-faith' to describe such occasions, as it maintains the distinctiveness of each group within the overall service.
- the term 'multi-faith worship' may still cause confusion. It may be better to call such occasions multi-faith assemblies, gatherings or celebrations, depending on the nature of the event.
Venue
The question of venue is important as it has a bearing on the type of activities that are appropriate for the occasion, the atmosphere that may prevail and the impression given, to those who are not present, of what is happening. If a church makes its buildings available for multi faith gatherings, that shows its hospitality to those of different faiths, but also creates considerable problems. For Methodists to do so would raise questions regarding the use of Methodist property in relation to the Manual of Laws.
Para . 10.70 states that those conducting 'religious services in Methodist Trust premises
. . . shall not preach, maintain, propagate or teach any doctrine or practice contrary to the Statement of Belief contained in the Constitution of the Church for the time being'. The British Conference decided in 1997 that Methodist premises should not be used for multi-faith worship.
People of other faiths may feel unable to enter a church; Christians may have problems going to other places of worship. If each community offered its worship in its own place of worship, with the congregation moving from place to place, this would fit in with the suggestion of worship in serial form. But it would not help those who feel unable to enter a church, mosque or temple. The best practice is for multi-faith gatherings to take place in a public building or in a public place out of doors. This recognises that these gatherings often occur because of some event in the life of a community.
Conclusion
In our growing multi-faith society, there are occasions, often reflecting the common concern or shared purpose of a community, when it is appropriate and valuable to come together with those of other faiths. We would lose much if we excluded ourselves from these occasions. The events themselves would lose something through our absence. These guidelines are to assist Irish Methodists to decide if, when and how we should meet on such occasions with those of other faiths.
Summary
1. Dialogue between Methodists and members of other faiths is to be encouraged.
2. On occasions which include acts of worship, the term 'multi-faith' should be used, in preference to 'inter-faith'.
3. Such occasions are best referred to as multi-faith assemblies, gatherings or celebrations.
4. The serial form is the preferred way for conducting such occasions.
5. Such occasions are best held in a public building or in the open air.
