On Saturday October 16th, Trinity United Church hosted a Faith Fair entitled “That we may know each other”. A rapt crowd listened to the origins, unique elements, and daily expression of four different religions at this second ‘Faith Fair’, a continuation of the series of regional events for area United Churches. The purpose of the event was to promote understanding of non-Christian religions in our predominantly Christian community. Organizers felt that by offering an evening of discussion, then awareness, respect and understanding for all faiths could be advanced.
Explaining their individual faiths were Emanuel L. Levin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Matthew Stevens of Sarnia, William Neal, and Leon Shanfield, both of London.
Emanuel Levin is a direct disciple of the Sufi mystic teacher Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, with whom he studied from their meeting in 1972 until the teacher’s death in 1986. Mr. Levin has since shared what he learned, speaking around the globe about the teachings of Sufism. The International Association of Sufism has published his book On the Road to Infinity, a compilation of his talks.
Matthew Stevens is an ordained minister within the United Church, but with his Kanien’keha:ka Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) and Irish Metis heritage he has been recognized as an Elder within the Anishinaabek (Ojibwe) people and represented First Nations Spirituality at the Faith Fair. He has served both First Nations and dominant society congregations across Canada. Mr. Stevens serves as the Resource for Stewardship, Justice, and Right Relations with the London Conference of the United Church of Canada.
William Neal grew up in North Bay, Ontario. As a student of theoretical physics at the University of Guelph he felt spiritually unfulfilled and studied various religions. Upon moving to Guyana, he was introduced to the Baha’i Faith and found it answered his life questions. He began his teaching career in Guyana at a Baha’i-inspired school, met his wife there and subsequently moved back to Canada. He is now Vice Principal at Nancy Campbell Collegiate Institute, a Baha’i-inspired school in London.
Leon Shanfield has been a friend of Glencoe’s Gord Leach since they were students together at Sir Adam Beck Secondary School in London. Mr. Shanfield was born into the Jewish faith and continues to embrace his Jewish heritage. He is a retired lawyer.
Rev. Kenji Marui directed each of the panelists to answer five questions about their faith: its origin; its unique elements, or what personally attracted them to it; how it affects their everyday lives; the misconceptions about their faith that they would like to clear up; and finally, any further remarks.
Stevens indicated that all beings are divine. The only sin is a lack of gratitude. Sunrise offers a fresh opportunity every day to start over through cleansing and prayer. He felt that if you used your religion to beat down others you have defiled your own religion.
Neal advised we are all the leaves and fruit of one tree. The Baha’i faith is a monotheistic religion. It was founded by Baha’u’llah in the 19th century, whose writings were voluminous. They strive for universal unity among mankind. They accept the teachings of all of the great prophets and saints throughout the ages.
Levin explained that Sufism is an ancient mystical tradition, which found its form in Islam. It is based on a teacher-disciple relationship with the teacher being the mirror for the disciple. Sufism is about transformation, changing from Insan (man) to Insan Kamel (perfected man). This is done by becoming the qualities that are God-like.
Judaism is based in the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. In Canada at present, there are three major branches of Judaism - orthodox, conservative and reform. Judaism is an ethical religion. Some of the major holidays are Passover - the exodus from Egypt; Rosh Hashanah - the New Year and the period of repentance, which culminates in Yom Kippur the Day of Atonement; and Hanukkah which is the festival of lights and regeneration and coincides with Christmas but is not otherwise related.
Upon reflection listeners noted the common threads of all faiths. While each individual may take their own personal path, we all share a common goal of ultimately connecting with God. We are more similar than we are different.
The formal portion of the evening was followed by refreshments and an opportunity for individual discussion.
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