Interfaith community seeks common ground

A Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu and an atheist walk into a room on Sunday.

It's a scene that could begin like a stereotypical joke about religion but instead of a punch line, there will be a message.

The message of the new Ashland Interfaith Community is one of unity and understanding for all spiritual paths.

Beginning this Sunday, people of all faiths will meet once a week to share music, poetry, art, stories and insights at Omega House, a spiritual life center that caters to Southern Oregon University students and community members.

"We want to try to find common ground in our shared humanity and, at the same time, celebrate our diversity," said Rev. Rich Lang, executive director of Omega House, located across from SOU on South Mountain Avenue.

Although Lang, who describes himself as a spiritual mystic, is the force behind the creation of Ashland Interfaith Community, he intends for the meetings to be egalitarian and collaborative, he said Thursday.

"Some people are really wary of this because they're afraid interfaith dialogue will dilute their own faith tradition, but I've found that it really doesn't. To some it seems paradoxical, but I find that the more we're affected with wisdom of other faiths, the more we can go deeper and go wider into our own faiths at the same time," Lang said.

Lang, who also teaches philosophy and religion classes at SOU, has seen a shift in people's attitudes about interfaith discussion in the seven years he has run Omega House, he said.

"The Internet has created an opportunity for global communication in an unprecedented way. We live in a time not only of unprecedented change but also of unprecedented access to all world cultures," Lang said.

Lynn Blanche, who serves as the ministry associate at Omega House, experienced a shift in her spiritual views because she participated in interfaith groups at the Ashland center.

"I came to Omega House seeking to deepen my faith and to better understand theology and theologies of Christians. I found it to be a safe and supportive environment to explore an interfaith approach, and I've come to see the common ground we all share," she said.

Blanche worked as an art director for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, for Disney's Epcot Center and for Patagonia, an environmental clothing company, before deciding to pursue spiritual work, she said. In addition to her role at Omega House, she serves as a freelance art director.

Ashland lends itself to interfaith dialogue because locals tend to be unprejudiced and receptive, Blanche said.

"There's a common thread of open mindedness that I appreciate here. There's respect and honor for the wisdom and values of each other and an interest to share."

According to Lang, who cited an SOU sociology study, Southern Oregon is the least churched region in the country and Ashland is the least churched city in the region.

"We live in a very secular culture. Most of my students are secular and unchurched, so they don't identify with any religious traditions. So we start with where the students are," said Lang.

In his estimation, about half of Ashland locals also don't identify with a particular religion.

"I have friends who are deeply atheist and they tell me they might take whole religion thing more seriously if there were more places like Omega House," Lang said.

The nonprofit organization is largely well received by people of all faiths, he added. The Presbyterian Church USA, The United Methodist Church, The Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ financially support Omega House, in addition to donations from individuals. Lang is seeking a grant writer to help Omega House apply for more funding for programs.

In addition to the new Interfaith group, Omega House offers book groups, music gatherings, and Saturday events such as "Buddha, Christ, Shakespeare and the Goddess," which will be held Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Lang plans to bring interfaith author and organizer Matthew Fox to speak in Ashland later this year.

Although the new community group will focus on learning from others, Lang will also encourage participants to seek knowledge within, he said.

"The art of contemplative practice is missing in our culture today, because were so driven by technology and careers. I've seen a growing longing in our culture for serenity and a sense of the sacred in the midst of the secular. We want to care for the soul while empowering all faith traditions," Lang said.

Ashland Interfaith Community will meet on Sundays from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at Omega House, 371 S. Mountain Ave. The meetings are free and open to all. For more information call 488-2304 or e-mail omegahouse@charter.net.