NEWS

America has the language, resources
for the flowering of ecumenism

New York Times Correspondent
Gustav Niebuhr was the keynoter
for the annual Spring Convocation

Gustav Niebuhr, New York Times religion correspondent.

(April 24, 2001)--Religious pluralism is dynamic and diverse across American culture even though it may not always be obvious. For example, more than 30 mosques may be discovered within 10 miles of the campus occupied by The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP). And even though it may not be obvious at a glance, Americans remain a religious people. The polls citing such statistics as church attendance and belief in God have not changed significantly over recent years.

In addition, an intense spiritual searching is common in American culture today, similar to the mood expressed in the 1830s and 1840s and at the turn of the last century. The challenge religious institutions face is how to effectively connect with people engaged in such searching. How to connect is an enormous modern challenge for traditional religious institutions.

Those were key points voiced in a keynote presentation today by Gustav Niebuhr, the National Correspondent for The New York Times. who regularly writes on trends in religion for the newspaper. He was the keynote presenter at the Seminary's annual Spring Convocation for alums and friends.

Niebuhr described the "unusual religious conjunctions" that sometimes happen in modern life. He described how a Lutheran parochial school in the Midwest found itself across next door to a new Buddhist group in the community, and the school wondered openly about engaging its new neighbors in a dialogue.

Also part of the pluralistic landscape is a new trend toward non-denominational megachurches in parts of the country, and the explosion of new tapes and books that seek to be inspirational to the spiritual seekers across the land.

"The religious diversity across our culture is not only across major faith groups in the society but also within each of these groups," Niebuhr said. "Because we have encouraged such freedom of expression we have also created an environment with many new ways to be religious. Religion is not a monolithic but a dynamic" practice in America, he said.

In such a dynamically ecumenical time, Niebuhr said that it is both "inevitable and unavoidable" that we interact with people of varying faiths and practices. And because religion is so deeply embodied in American culture "we have the language in place to be able to talk to each other." Niebuhr also said that he believes the degree of ecumenical involvement becomes a largely local matter influenced greatly by community perspectives on ecumenism, even though groups like Lutherans, Reformed Churches and Episcopalians may have worked on national and international agreements in a painstaking, studied way over many years.

Other key ideas voiced by Niebuhr:

• A casual or superficial observer of American culture may easily overlook how deeply embedded religious values are in the American soul and psyche. "The depth is not immediately obvious," Niebuhr said. For example, even the entertainment media treat religion regularly and with respect.
• Americans do not have a pious approach to language and know little about the beliefs of others, nor are they literate in their own tradition.
• It is critical to try to make people aware of the pervasiveness of many traditions to encourage them to avoid use of inaccurate language and images regarding faiths they do not know well.
• Changes in immigration law in 1965 did much to encourage dramatic changes in the religious landscape across America. Now there are 5 million Muslims and 2 million Buddhists across America and they are beginning to have increased political clout.
• Many religious groups will welcome inquiry and the sharing of information with others and have a sincere desire for ecumenical exchange.
• Considerable literary and human resources exist across America for those willing to share the language of faith across ecumenical lines. For example, Beliefnet.com is an internet purveyor of diverse faith views.
• It is too early to tell the impact of the faith-based initiatives ideas voiced by the Bush Administration. "It is a complex and sensitive enterprise," Niebuhr said. A considerable history already exists of faith-based organizations having an impact on social issues. "How will it be expanded? We don't know. A question I have is that with one-third to one-half of our houses of worship having fewer than 100 members, how will they participate?" He suggested they may not have the resources
• Many are concerned that ecumenism will cause church bodies to "lose their distinctiveness." However, those at the heart of forming measured ecumenical agreements "have worked a long time to carefully maintain what is distinctive. They have no desire to run everything together." The success of ecumenical agreements depends greatly on local responses and attitudes. "People in a particular setting will have much to say about what the priorities are for ecumenical dialogues and agreements," Niebuhr said.
• In an age of religious pluralism and diversity, many traditional churches have tended to pull back from having a dynamic public presence. Niebuhr said he is deeply concerned about how churches will recover their public voices. He said he believes it is crucial for religious groups to reclaim their voice in terms of what they care about and are passionate about. He said such voices will likely be heard.