June 2014 Issue No 239 www.openhousescotland.co.uk £2.50 Sharing sacred texts: What kind of Scotland? The Vatican and the Scriptural Reading Referendum special American sisters part 2 Editorial Reconnecting with politics The referendum on Scottish independence, whatever the partnership will continue after September, whatever the outcome, has created a remarkable opportunity for Scots outcome of the referendum, but that in an independent to think about issues like nationhood, sovereignty and Scotland the choice would lie with Scots. solidarity, and how they are reflected in our current As identities expand and contract with growing political system. As if to underline the point, the support for independence in Scotland and an European elections were held last month in the middle increasingly fractured UK within Europe, solidarity calls of the independence debate. At one level they were a us to think about how we relate to one another and to reminder that a consistent failure on the part of political the wider world. The referendum campaign has its share parties to engage voters, especially in areas of poverty of noisy political point scoring, but there has also been and deprivation, results in not just a low turnout, but much talk of values, a welcome counterpoint to the opens the way for smaller parties to step in. On another more calculated appeals to the politics of electability and level they posed some of the questions that will shape narrow interest that have shaped much of the political the outcome of September’s referendum. debate in recent times. One of the questions Europe raises is the issue of Our faith requires that we play an active part in nationhood. Most of us would define a nation as that which binds us in terms of a common story, a common political life and vote not just for our own benefit. The history, a common language. The United Kingdom is church is much more than a collection of individuals: we under pressure not just from Scottish nationalism, but live as part of a community whose life depends on our from the weakening of social bonds and growing contribution. The low turnout in recent elections does us disparity between rich and poor. Are we any longer a no credit. ‘family of nations’ that are in it together? The referendum debate could be the start of a more At the European level, the UK is in the process of sustained attempt to reconnect people with politics. It is trying to break its bonds with Europe while the EU to the SNP’s credit that it is taking the argument into struggles to draw them closer. The UK argues in terms of Scotland’s housing schemes. One of the most positive refusing to surrender sovereignty to the EU. The SNP outcomes of the referendum would be the reinvigoration acknowledges that the debate for looser forms of of politics itself, whichever way the vote goes. Beautiful Sunday Sunday morning, up with the lark / I think I’ll go for a Sunday. Twenty years ago Bishop Devine described Mass walk in the park attendance in Lanarkshire as being in ‘free fall ‘. This is Hey hey hey it’s a beautiful day. now prompting further change in Mass provision. There is something to be said for calling for a Lord’s California 1972 was different from Scotland where Day resistance society. Why should everyone have to swings in the park were still chained up on Sunday. The give in to the demands of the new busyness/business? only people walking were going to church. That’s what Should time not be allocated for family life? Credit to we were supposed to be doing on Sunday mornings. those churches that are creating time and space for Then we got what was called ‘the continental Sunday’ leisurely Sunday worship which includes recreational (or the Californian)! Now Sunday streets are the busiest opportunities. of the week. They are full of joggers and dog walkers. There is nothing to be said for spitting in the wind. There’s a stream of cars heading for shopping centres Reorganising the church to make it easier for more and sports facilities. Even the buses are busy enough. people to get to Mass is to forget the swings are no Not long ago children had to go to Mass because their parents made them. Now parents can’t get to Mass longer chained up. Speaking to Catholic Action (Italy) because their children won’t let them. Young people recently Pope Francis said the purpose of churches is not have too many other things to do. to get people in but to let Jesus out! Because people do The Catholic Church met this by changing the time of not come to Mass - is that a reason for closing a church? Mass. Vigil mass had been introduced for the biblical These are precious inheritances still with enormous reason that the Jewish Sabbath started at sunset. It potential for their communities. There are many ways in rapidly became popular with those who wanted a ‘free’ which they can still be signs of Catholic Action. 2 OPEN HOUSE June 2014 Contents Scriptural reasoning MAGDALEN LAMBKIN Page 3 Scriptural Reasoning Magdalen Lambkin Interfaith dialogue with Page 5 Referendum Special: The Kirk debates Jennifer Stark a difference Page 7 What kind of Scotland? John Dornan A worker with the project Interfaith Glasgow describes Page 8 The road to referendum how differences as well as commonalities between Ian O Bayne traditions can be explored openly and respectfully by Page 10 Theological reflection sharing sacred texts. William R McFadden Page 11 Letter from America Michael L O’Neill It’s pretty broadly accepted these days But it is also true that if all our Page 12 The American Sisters and that developing mutual understanding conversations are focused around the Vatican and positive relations between people commonalities, we may never properly Newman talk of different religions is a good idea. A appreciate just what it is that our Page 14 Pentecost reflection common criticism of interfaith neighbours believe and do that that is Noel Donnelly dialogue, however, is that it often different from our own tradition or amounts to little more than a superficial worldview. In which case, can we Page 15 The Gospel of Mercy exchange of generalities between really say that we understand them? Dermot Lamb well-intentioned, like-minded people. Scriptural Reasoning is a method of Page 17 Notebook It is true that interfaith dialogue is interfaith dialogue that aims to usually focused on common ground. facilitate a deeper dialogue where the Page 19 Letters There is a lot of talk about ‘shared differences as well as commonalities Living Spirit values,’ with people from different between traditions can be explored traditions agreeing that they each openly and respectfully. Although it Page 20 Reviews share a concern to protect the was developed in academic circles Books and film environment and the vulnerable in around the American Academy of Page 24 Moments in time society, for example. Given the popular Religion in the mid-nineteen-nineties, it perception that religious communities has in recent years been taken up by are all at loggerheads with one and local groups in the UK and the US and Thank you to all those who other, and, indeed, that religion is the its popularity is increasing. contributed to this edition of cause of more harm than good in Scriptural Reasoning brings together Open House. society, such conversations are clearly people for whom scripture plays an Open House, which was founded in needed. What’s more, discussing things important role in their lives in the close Dundee in 1990, is an independent we share can be much more conducive reading of their sacred texts. It feels journal of comment and debate on to building the trust, connections and similar to a Bible study group or a faith issues in Scotland. It is rooted in relationships that we so badly need in university seminar, the major difference the reforms of the Second Vatican our multi-faith, multi-cultural societies. being that a Scriptural Reasoning Council (1962-65) and committed to Discussing differences can be divisive group includes people from different the dialogue which began at the and dialogue can quickly turn to faith communities, usually Jews, Council - within the Catholic Church, hostile debate. If the first conversation Christians and Muslims. A small group in other churches, and with all those a Muslim and a Christian have will meet regularly, perhaps monthly, committed to issues of justice and together is over the nature of Jesus, for each time discussing short extracts peace. example, it may well be their last from each of their scriptures selected www.openhousescotland.co.uk conversation. As someone whose job it on a particular theme, such as is to bring people from different faith hospitality, fasting, or modesty. Each Cover photograph by Dominic and belief backgrounds together, I’ve text is introduced by a member of that Cullen learned how important it is to make a particular tradition who gives an good start. insight into its context and traditional June 2014 OPEN HOUSE 3 meanings, but all the participants then backgrounds. Most had never heard of they are ‘controlled’ by Shari’a law.1 If engage in its interpretation. The meeting Scriptural Reasoning before, but many Christians with such a negative view of is structured so that an equal amount of had been involved in other kinds of Muslims and vice-versa could be time is spent on each text. The aim is interfaith dialogue previously. The convinced to engage in Scriptural not for participants to agree on what the response to the practice was Reasoning with each other, there would texts are saying but to grow in their overwhelmingly positive.