With all due respect, after spending on this thread several hours, I cannot contribut much more. But, perhaps, you could read #431 of mine.
You are right that if one progressed TOO FAR in the direction of inclusiveness, there is a danger of diluting the meaning of one's belief. I would not ever expect that from my Christian friends; in fact, I would earge them to remain steadfast in their beliefs ---- especially because of the PC climate and anti-Christian attacks from the elites.
The question is that of balance, and it is not unique to the religion. One's courage can become recklessness; patience turn into cowardice; assertiveness into egotism. What differentiates them is (i) the degree and (ii) circumstances.
Even within Christianity there are divisions and even within the same denomination there are regional differences. Does that mean Christians of, say, Greek Orthodox persuation and Catholics cannot find a single prayer on which they agree? If they do, the benefit is clear: friendship, unity, and more trust among people; most importantly, they both stand on the same side against the Leftist, atheistic crowd.
If they do find one prayer that, while not addressing the full deapth of belief for either side, does not offend either side -- does that mean they betray their heritage? Of course not.
In our country, chaplains (including the congressional one) and other clergy routinely find such unifying prayer. This minister did not. That is all I said.
Now, GIVEN that this happened, what should the reaction be. Without a doubt, not only I would not walk out as these senators did (I am also Jewish), I would note but overlook whatever words were disturbing. These senators did not act as Jews: they acted as atheis leftists --- who may be from Jewish families as an accident of birth but themselves are no longer Jews.
So, there are two sides to the story. On this thread, I immediately blamed the senators for not overlooking the transgresssion against the protocol. But I also qwuestioned the wisdom of the minister. It is at that point where all h-ll broke loose. As you can see from the post of Dense Messa, if she tolerates someone saying "hello" to her in a foreign language (shalom in Hebrew), then someone must be tolerant to join her in her prayers. Just one example of something that I find extreme and disturbing. In sum, I ask (do not say, but ask), "Can we find some common ground," and in response hear, "H-ll no, these are my beliefs; you want common ground ---come to my side."
Not all form of unity is a sellout to policital correctness, and I am sorry to see that many people fail to see that.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. Have a good Easter holiday, if I do not see you before then.