A tradition of tolerance, conscience - Religion - The Olympian ...

THE OLYMPIAN | ? Published August 13, 2011

The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation that I serve as minister has a partner church in Transylvania, a province of Romania.

Contrary to its scary reputation, Transylvania is a lovely and intriguing region. Unitarianism took root in Transylvania 450 years ago and in doing so religious tolerance and freedom of conscience first entered the world as a country?s official policy.

This occurred during the Reformation, when Christianity?s Protestant churches came into existence. In 1568 in the small kingdom of Transylvania, King John Sigismund called for a debate among representatives of the Calvinist, Catholic, Lutheran and Unitarian churches. An exceptional preacher, Francis David, spoke on behalf of the newly established Unitarians.

Beginning at sunrise each morning, the debate went on for 10 days. In an era before pro football and NASCAR racing, such debates were considered great entertainment. According to our tradition?s lore, Francis David, in the best liberal spirit of loquaciousness, was the last man left talking. Although King John did not declare a winner, he chose the Unitarian Church as his own.

Then he did something revolutionary in that era of religious intolerance. He issued an edict that made freedom of conscience the law of the land. It read in part: ?[N]o one shall be reviled for his religion by anyone ? and it is not permitted that anyone should threaten anyone else by imprisonment or by removal from his post for his teaching. For faith is the gift of God.?

Both the Unitarian and Universalist churches that developed in America more than 200 years ago and merged in 1961 as the Unitarian Universalist Association, retained that deep- seated adherence to tolerance and freedom of conscience. In this religious tradition those values are deemed essential to the development of our humanity.

When we have the freedom to investigate and challenge society?s beliefs, we are better able to live our lives with integrity. And when we experience that freedom in religious communities that share life?s gracious love, the promise of our humanity can find fulfillment.

The difficulties experienced by Transylvanian Unitarians over the centuries demonstrate the importance of religious tolerance and freedom of conscience. After King John?s short-lived reign, the Unitarian churches knew only oppression in the ensuing centuries right up to the 1989 overthrow of the communist regime. It?s extraordinary that they survived at all.

One of the important messages this religious tradition has to offer the world is the significance of religious tolerance and freedom of conscience. When I hear public figures speak to an assumption that the United States is a Christian nation or to an assumption of a shared belief in God, I become concerned.

Given the Christian roots of Unitarian Universalism, I value the teachings and religious understanding Christianity introduced into the world. Nonetheless, given the diverse ways humans experience life, we can never assume any religion reveals the one truth for all. The strength and goodness of our society does not arise from homogeneity of belief but from our willingness to enter into healthy relationships with one another while valuing our differences.

To encounter true difference is seldom easy, for the acceptance of another?s different beliefs might call one?s own beliefs into question. When we practice tolerance and freedom of conscience, we may discover our own beliefs are challenged. Yet, we may find that rather than having our beliefs overturned, they are enriched by the encounter.

Entering into relationship in the spirit of tolerance with those whose beliefs about life are different is a profound expression of life?s love. As the Transylvanian Unitarian preacher, Francis David, declared so long ago: ?You need not think alike to love alike.?

The Rev. Arthur Vaeni is minister of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Perspective is coordinated by Interfaith Works in cooperation with The Olympian. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Interfaith Works or The Olympian.

Source: http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/13/1759197/a-tradition-of-tolerance-conscience.html

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