The Interfaith Alternative

In the Interfaith Alternative by Steven Greenebaum I rather like the recognition given to the commonalities of the major religions.  But how will this church handle differences in religious beliefs?  I have read about these problems, and watched documentaries addressing such issues.  And there are some unique beliefs to try and integrate in such a church. 

This book focuses on compassion, love, and respect for all faith traditions.  This approach is understandable, but the author’s treatise doesn’t show exactly how the teachings of this new church will be accomplished.  For example, “Is this church Trinitarian, mono, or poly-theistic?”  “What is its belief about sin and salvation?”  “Will they have baptisms?”  “Will they celebrate certain religious and secular holidays? “What is the church’s teaching on the sexual orientation?  These are some questions not discussed in the text.

Greenebaum’s approach seems similar to those of the Unitarian Universalists and Baha’i because the Interfaith Alternative tent consists of other religions.  But when someone reads this book there’s no mention of a doctrine.  Simply stating that different faith traditions would share their beliefs with members of their congregation isn’t quite clear.  Since early Christendom Christian denominations have undertaken ecumenical ventures with some success.  But an interfaith undertaking will do much more in embracing a multiplicity of religions