Evangelicals, unchurch, voluntarist, Baptist, Catholic. That's my ecumenical family. We do not disown each other. We attend Weddings, Baptism, funeral. We pray together when we eat together. Sunday worship, Holy Week, and Christmas, it is to each religion. Occasionally, we discuss the Bible. Occasionally, debating the usual issues of images, Mary, and papacy.
There is no pretension, each one wants to win the other to his/her faith. There really is no going around it. For as long as each one holds on to his/her faith tradition, we are not yet in "one spirit and truth". Yet, we are not trying hard in being together. We don't hide images because they will be around. They are not going to switch channel from 700club to a secular show. They will get offended when they are called Protestants. We will get offended when they call themselves Christians as if we were not.
Ecumenical prayer rally against RH bill or against abortion, I can understand and it should be so. However, the ecumenical inter-religious dialogue doesn't make much sense to me, especially with emphasis that there is no desire for converting anyone. If it is about respect for each other's faith, then might as well have an interfaith rally or political pact for religious freedom. Sometimes trying hard to be ecumenical will rub the differences even more. A rubbing that creates friction and resentment.
For now, my family and friends may be proclaiming Truth differently. We do have our fights and misunderstanding. Still, we love each other and we will be there for each other.
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