Air Quote by John Shelby Spong
“In the fall of 1988, I worshipped God in a Buddhist temple. As the smell of incense filled the air, I knelt before three images of the Buddha, feeling that the smoke could carry my prayers heavenward. It was for me a holy moment for I was certain that I was kneeling on holy ground…I will not make any further attempt to convert the Buddhist, the Jew, the Hindu or the Moslem. I am content to learn from them and to walk with them side by side toward the God who lives, I believe, beyond the images that bind and blind us.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Testament and the People of God, 1995
Shares a personal interfaith experience, emphasizing learning from diverse religions while maintaining belief in a transcendent God beyond images.
In simple terms: Learn from all faiths, seeing God beyond symbols.
Key Takeaway
Embrace interfaith respect and unity.
Themes
faith
interfaith
spirituality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- interfaith dialogues
- community building
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
pluralism
transcendence
humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we honor differences while seeking common ground?
- What practices foster mutual respect?
A Different Perspective
Religious exclusivity can hinder unity.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)