Mainstream Religions have the following in common: Belief in one God; Adherence to the Ten Commandments; Good Deeds.

We are fortunate and blest to spend the summer at the Chautauqua Institution near Jamestown www.ciweb.org Although begun 137 years ago as a Methodist Retreat Camp for Sunday School teachers, Chautauqua has grown to fully embrace God's presence in all religions. Patty and I are hosts at Catholic House, one of about 15 denominational Houses that provide affordable accommodations in this very expensive place. The programming here includes life-long learning opportunities in the Arts, Politics, and Religion. The Department of Religion sponsors an afternoon lecture series that has brought together a diverse group of people to hear lectures given by an equally diverse group of theologians, church figures, civic leaders, and an international array of spiritual leaders. A major emphasis has been on exploring the similarities and shared history of the three great Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We share much in common. Three young adults, one a Jew, one Christian and one Muslim present discussions throughout the summer for college age young people. Each Friday afternoon, all are invited to the Moslem Ju’ma service, on Friday near dusk, all are invited to gather near Chautauqua Lake with the Jewish Community for Shabbat prayers. And, on Sunday morning, after each Christian denomination worship in their own way, all gather for an interdenominational worship service attended by nearly 4,000 people. Catholics celebrate twice daily Masses in the Episcopal Chapel of the Good Shepherd. The Episcopal Mass is celebrated at 7:45 a.m. and the Catholic Mass at 8:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. So what do all faiths share in common? God's Holy Spirit - the creative and compassionate Spirit of Love is shared by most religions - although it is experienced differently and often according to the culture of the area from which it sprang. Being attentive to the inner voice of God is a way that people of diverse cultures and denominations search for meaning and peace. While individual faith traditions can be proud of their individual Way - the diverse manifestations of God in the lives of others should be a source of awe, and never a source of conflict. The fruit of God's Spirit is Peace. Anything else is not really of God. Be at peace with your own journey of Faith and value the work of God in the journey of others.