The way forward

I like the emphasis on what different faiths - and non-faiths - have in common and what they can learn from each other, rather than on their differences, 'open dialogue' being the operative words. Thanks, Mice.

An interesting approach. My father liked the results of the second vatican council very much. He felt it was trying to move things forward.

I'm a little puzzled why Marxism is mentioned and no other political outlooks. Is that significant in some way?

Simply the constraints of space I suppose although I cannot speak for the author. I assume it's because Marxism was a philosophy / position that was often feared by many.

I think one of the most heartening developments since Vat2 has been the reaching out to other denominations and other faiths in the way Dorr describes. I've certainly learned a lot over the last few years. I'm reading an extremely interesting book at the moment 'The Jewish Annotated New Testament' Levine and Brettier which is very helpful in explaining some bits of the NT since it tracks a lot of stuff back to the Torah and fits it into Jewish scholarship.

Some years ago I was browsing through my Buddhist magazine when I noticed an advert on the back for an interfaith weekend at a place called Turvey Abbey, a Roman Catholic religious order. Benedictine I think. I went along with a Christian friend and it was a very enlightening, heartening and uplifting experience.

I found Turvey Abbey to be a very spiritual place and I think through my attendances there I went some way to coming to terms with the anger and hurt I felt towards the Christian church.

The interfaith movement seems to be flourishing. Another time we had a Sufi along with a Buddhist nun and of course Christians at the weekend. All were most welcoming to atheists by the way. We were advised, if we did not believe in God, to 'translate' the term into something we found meaningful.

Thank you for that recommendation Lilygran. I shall put it on my Kindle if possible and on my Christmas list if not.

I haven't been to Turvey Abbey for some years, having used up all their courses. However, if anybody is interested, they have a website.

Petallus, the Benedictines are in the forefront of interfaith dialogue. I'm glad it was a good experience.

I don't know if you have come across the Findhorn community in Scotland where there is a commitment to live a spiritual life - personal and communal. This community is ecologically, culturally and spiritually sustainable, an alternative to the profit oriented, consumeristic violent world we live in. It's worth checking out.

Must look at the website. Where is it?
The abbey, not the web!

North East Scotland on the Moray Firth coast

When my daughter was attending NA (Narcotics Anonymous) she was supposed to follow the 12 Steps. In the up-to-date version, reference to god is replaced by 'a higher power'. I don't recognise any higher power, so I certainly couldn't follow that step. This reminded me of Dave Allen's 'May your god go with you'. Again, I have no god, so I have to go alone!
I don't understand why so many people feel the need of something outside of themselves to make sense of life. As far as I am concerned, it just is!

micetoo far away!

The Findhorn Community has cropped up a lot in recent years - it's been referred to in a great many of the articles and books I've read on various subjects (mainly to do with conservation, alternative lifestyles etc.). Why is it that these communities seem to flourish so well in Scotland, I wonder...?

I think it helps to be in a quiet, beautiful, remote place if you are trying any kind of spiritual exercises. I think that's the reason for locating abbeys and retreat houses in places like the north of Scotland. But it isn't essential. I love Walsingham and although that is a bit remote and I find it beautiful it isn't quiet or peaceful during the height of the pilgrimage season. More like Blackpool on a Bank Holiday.

Turvey Abbey is in Bedford.

I've been to Walsingham a couple of times, never Findhorn though I've heard very good reports.