As you will know from my writings about the YMCA (Thank You YMCA and elsewhere) and its great work, I am an firm believer in the equality of man. Accepting people for whom they are is something I learned from my parents.
This is something I want to teach my children. This is something that we must have in each of us.
As an extension of this, there I so strongly believe in the importance of interfaith dialogue. Interfaith dialogue does not mean you try to change me or me to change you. Rather it means that we learn from each other, we share what we have in common, and we respect each others differences.
I am blessed to be part of one of the most diverse cities in the world. To learn how wonderful diversity is, I suggest that you listen to some of the stories the CBC has been broadcasting. You can here them here.
The same kind of dialogue that works between individuals.
The following poem is interesting and , It was published in 1838 by James Henry Leigh Hunt (1784–1859) in England.
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord.""And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!
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