My working time — and much of my free time — is spent focused on religion. I read many books for possible Spiritual Life section stories about the endlessly fascinating and boggling word of faith. Then there are the DVDs and videos, long phone conversations, faxes, e-mails, snail mail and reports — competing forces after my ear, mind and heart. All dealing with belief and religion. And I keep an active personal faith life. The cadence and character of religion are infinitely interesting.Years ago, after interviewing a Mesa Mormon for a story, the well-meaning man returned with a leather-bound Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. Embossed on the cover were the gold letters "Mr. and Mrs. Lawn Griffiths." It was his way of inviting me to explore his faith more fully. It’s been a reference book on my office bookshelf for many years. I politely thanked him, but explained my religion fit me well.This represents my 100th blog since launching Beyond Belief in April. I try to write new commentaries as often as possible.When I give community talks, I’m asked a lot of questions until time expires. Here I present answers to questions sometimes asked and maybe ones that should be asked:Q: How did you get into writing religion?A: I have been writing for daily newspapers since 1972. In 1987, then-Tribune executive editor Max Jennings tapped me to be religion editor because my writings displayed an open-mindedness and energy about the faith community. As city editor of the Tempe Daily News, starting in 1984, I oversaw religion news and produced features. I wrote religion largely full time 1987 to 1994, but then wrote the daily "Town Crier" column. I returned to the Spiritual Life editor job in 1998.Q: What’s the biggest challenge?A: Shortage of time to cover the many potential and worthy religion-related stories to be told in the area; seeking a mix and balance of faiths covered and topics examined.Q: What do you most like in your job?A: Great minds. People of faith who are articulate, quotable, fearless, candid and dynamic. When they can well state the ideas in which their beliefs are grounded, it’s fulfilling work. Too many smart and thoughtful people are rooted in too many religions to be able to say all but one group is wrong.Q: What do you most dislike?A: Dogma and ideologues. There’s a suffocating tyranny in so much of religion. I find my-religion-is-the-true-religion position impossible to accept. Q: But you are a Christian, so what about various New Testament quotes like John 14:6: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me?A: Writer James Thatamanil says that statement is the defining line between liberal and conservative Christians: Liberal Christians avoid it like the bird flu; and conservative Christians preach nothing else. As a liberal Christian, I cannot accept such exclusive doctrine. If , in fact, Christ actually said that, I liken it to anyone espousing his teachings and message and deeming it The Truth.. Why wouldnt he market himself as the truth? Religions before and since have been doing the same thing. For all its merits, Christianity is not alone in embracing amazing tenets for life. And you dont have to buy it all to qualify as a Christian. Thank God.Q: Do you have a faith life?A: My father was a Baptist, my mother was Congregational. As a child, we attended a Free Evangelical church and later a series of strict, ascetic home churches that turned me off on religion. In college, I worshipped in a Presbyterian church and its social gospel and social justice emphasis grabbed me. My Army dog tags said, "Presbyterian." I married a "cradle" Presbyterian in 1973 and was ordained an elder in 1974, serving four three-year terms as an elder on Sessions through the years as and other three years terms as a deacon and trustee. I have held countless church roles, even in the national church.Q: Doesnt covering the wide landscape of beliefs from New Age to Pentecostal get too confusing and make you jaded?A: Quite the contrary, it only underscores that many, many expressions of belief can accomplish the same things, from giving a set of values to live by to creating community for support, service, love and spiritual growth. To me it proves that no doctrine or belief system has seized dominion on truth.

Posted in: Uncategorized |

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.