Who Are the Faces of URI?

Yoland Trevino Speaking at the 10th Anniversary Celebration in Amman, Jordan

The first time I heard about this idea called United Religions Initiative, I had my doubts. Still, I couldn't help myself. I had to go and find out more. One of the reasons I had to go was simply because the door had been opened when I sat with men and women, Muslims and Jews (and yes, other Christians), who told me stories that captivated my spirit. The PBS Special Genesis was the door that opened my heart to the wealth of faiths not one's own. When you hear a story that touches your heart and soul, well--believing or not, you are caught up with the spirit of the story and the storyteller. You can't walk away. I had to go. I'm glad I did.
     I won't say that the doubts didn't stand just outside the door that was opening, however. As a child, my grandmother would warn me of the shadow maker, the deceiver and urge my caution. The question becomes just who is the deceiver telling stories (lies)--and--which one of these stories is not from the deceiver leading to the truth? A quandry, to be sure. In addition, I found out that fear will trick you as well. So, I decided not to be afraid, but there were always those moments that cast both shadows of fear and doubts. I can tell you now and even looking back, those of you who know me, know that those moments are now cause for celebration because they erased the shadows and cast out all doubts.
     Of course, those doubts were erased over time by the people I had been taught to fear (non-Christians) with a simple effort of getting to know them. In many ways, I've come a long way from that stalwart Christian with fears to a stalwart Christian of knowing. Knowing that together we can make this world better. That is the just one of the reasons I am a part of the United Religions Initiative ("URI").
     URI just celebrated 10 years of existence, but having come before we were "official" I know that we have to count more than these 10 years. We have to count the years the vision came into existence and we have to count the years of our lives and years, millenniums, before we even existed. In this clip, I take some of Yoland Trevino's welcome to share the journey of URI. Still, in all of my hopes and dreaming of a future where the URI is more than a face and a vision, but a reality--well, there is still much work to do.
     The Bad News
     There is bad news. This is hard work. This work sometimes leaves me drained and frustrated. And sometimes we don't get very far. I don't want to mislead anyone in thinking that we have all of the answers, but then I'm not a proponent of just finding answers. In truth, I believe that we should not be so focused on answers, but making sure that we're asking the right questions. As Richard Bach has often said, there is no problem without a gift in its hands for you. The bad news is that we carry remnants of that fear of "the other." We seem to have difficulties with acknowledging that God loves us all. After all, aren't some of us "bad people"--"Evil"? Evil exists. Right?
     The other bad news is that we're still trying to figure out how to solve our problems without vilifying whole groups of people. We aren't succeeding (as much as I think we should or even close to what I would like). We wrestle with conversations that happen in different circles, linked by that degree of separation that comes when we walk in more than one world. We still focus on our dogma(s) that we feel are hurdles that cannot--should not--be crossed. And we have a lack of trust that is deeply rooted from varied cultures and beliefs. So, how can we respect one another? The elephants in the room are numerous and sometime we feel trampled by the isms that just don't want to go away.
     Is there good news?
     Oh, Yeah! The Good News
     There are those who have to see it to believe it. They wait, often times impatiently for someone to solve these problems that plague the world so that they can join in the efforts once they can believe it will work out. But, they often run at the first wrinkle. They also stand on the sidelines. Well, sometimes they are backseat drivers, but that's okay. Because the good news is this. There are those who believe. Just that simple. We can see it no other way. It helps us accept the frustrations and moments of exhaustion. It helps us sit down and write a missive that says, "We'll hold the light" and "We'll keep the faith." It took four years to write a Preamble, Purpose and Principles for URI. The words "We Unite ..." usher in a new era of believers. I am stronger than I've been and am able to recharge the batteries of my soul with the aid of those who also believe. So, when you hear the bad news, don't ignore it. Check it out and remember that the light casts out darkness. Just sometimes you have to work through a storm to get to the other side.
     Peace.