AMY LARSON
Staff Writer
There is so much that has changed since the Baby Boomers were in their early 20s. So many of us cannot remember a time when we were not using cell phones (or the much larger car phones), sending e-mails, or visiting Web pages on the Internet; more than that, though, it’s remarkable how much smaller our world seems compared to 30 years ago.
This global shrinking affects more than our ideas about communication, it’s also changed our ideas about religion.
We are incredibly fortunate to live in the time and place we do, as it opens doors for us to understand others with beliefs that are different than our own. If one of our parents wanted to ask questions of a Buddhist or a Hindu, options were limited — one might be able to read a book or watch television.
Today, however, one can visit Web sites of different faiths and denominations, find a nearby temple to visit (and even a map to get there), or even have an online chat with a person of a different faith.
Technology presents a contradiction of sorts: it makes our world seem smaller, but our worldview becomes much larger. Far more than our parents, we are able to recognize that our world is not the only world. Our interpretation of faith is not the only interpretation of faith. This is not to argue that now our society is made up of religious pluralists, but simply to suggest that we’re at least able to be aware of how other people see God.
Whether we agree with everything these other faiths have to offer, we have an opportunity that is unique to our generation. We are able to learn so much from those around us.
Personally, I have gained so much wisdom from speaking to people of other faiths. My beliefs as a Christian have not wavered, but I have found so many more reasons to respect and admire God as I come into contact with more and more of his creativity as shown in the many people around me. Our generation is in a position to learn more than any generation before us, and we are taking advantage of it.
03-01-2007