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16 - Holding the Truth, Lightly: Religion, Truth, and Pluralism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Howard Lesnick
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania
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Summary

We do not begin with extolling the beauty, goodness or utility of what we have proclaimed. Our first and foremost concern is its truth. All other considerations are secondary. We cannot place our faith in fictions, no matter how useful, appealing, or attractive they may be.

Rabbi Walter S. Wurzburger

The problem is perhaps best raised by recalling the classic story about the Two Chaplains: Of differing Protestant denominations, they had served for a year in the same infantry company during the First World War and went through a lot together. As they were being mustered out, they exchanged words of heartfelt appreciation for having known and served with the other during a difficult time. “Before we say ‘goodbye’,” one added, a bit sheepishly, “I have to acknowledge that knowing you has forced me to change my ideas about some things that are very important to me. Until I met and got to know you, I believed that people who worship as you do were agents of Satan. I'm embarrassed to say that, but you can appreciate how I would think that way. Well, I was wrong. In fact, I now realize that we both worship the same God – you in your way, and I in His.”

As the saying goes, that joke would be pretty funny were it not for the fact that it isn't funny at all. “You still don't get it, Reverend,” seems a wholly apt, and pretty mild, response to the “embarrassed” chaplain.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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