Arvind Khetia, engineer and a Hindu: The sages of ancient India, realizing the nature of ultimate reality as transcendental and all-pervading, concluded that “Truth is one; sages call it by different names.”
Pastor Emeritus Raymond Davis Jr., Greater Corinthian Church of the Christ, Kansas City, Mo.: Authority is the issue no matter how we may define higher powers. We all have a basic common sense of elected officials that are higher powers operating in human governments. This is God-ordained authority, and we shouldn’t pretend they aren’t there.
The Rev. Betty Hanna-Witherspoon, pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Kansas City, Mo.: In the 22nd chapter of Matthew, a lawyer asked Jesus the question “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
The Rev. Duke Tufty, pastor of Unity Temple on the Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.: Over the years I have engaged in prayer with people for many different reasons. Sometimes what they prayed for happened. Sometimes it didn’t.
A.M. Bhattacharyya, an active member of the Hindu community: Hinduism is not a monolithic religion. Within Hinduism there are many philosophical thoughts, many interpretations of scriptures, many ritualistic traditions and many approaches to spiritual progress, all revered by Hindus.
Lama Chuck Stanford, Rime Buddhist Center & Monastery, Kansas City, Mo.: All faiths encourage good actions, positive virtues and personal responsibility and see themselves and the world as sacred. Yet there is still much suffering in the world, and much of it is caused by religions themselves.
The Rev. Holly McKissick, pastor, Peace Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo., and Overland Park, Kan.: She dreaded the day when her youngest went off to college. While other parents were tender and, at times, sad, she couldn’t bear the thought, or the empty feelings it brought to the surface.
The Rev. Duke Tufty, pastor, Unity Temple on the Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.: If God is a deity sitting on a throne, somewhere in the far off reaches of the sky and listening to everyone’s prayers I would be a bit miffed that I didn’t have his undivided attention. I would also wonder why do some people’s prayers get answered and some of mine do not.
Rushdy El-Ghussein, former president of the Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City, Mo.: God created the universe for humankind. God expects us to worship him and obey his laws. We must follow his guidance on how to treat others.
We must do the work
Christ is evidence of his power and love
The Rev. R.L. Baynham, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan.: Mankind has many reasons for what is of great value. When we find the one thing that moves us, we do everything in our power to extend its worth. Most of us have found that salvation is the greatest gift to humankind. The teachings of the Scripture have shown us the great redemptive love of God and his unending pursuit to bring men and women into a harmonious relationship with him that is most beneficial.
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