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Thought you'd be interested in some excerpts from the sermon delivered on 4/24 at the National Cathedral by Rev. George Rigas. I was there with a group and not really in a position to walk out, although I was tempted and am now embarassed by lack of moral courage to do so.

Full text is available at www.nationalcathedral.org

“Interpreting Christ in a Pluralistic World”
The Rev. Dr. George F. Regas
Rector Emeritus, All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA, guest preacher

In today’s Gospel, John puts words on Jesus’ lips that have led Christians through the centuries to claim an exclusive way to salvation. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” . . . The first thing I want you to explore with me is this: I simply refuse to hold the doctrine that there is no access to God except through Jesus.

I personally reject the claim that Christianity has the truth and all other religions are in error. Unfortunately, this is the position of the new Pope, Benedict XVI, who says salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ.

The Religious Right has drowned out everyone else with their absolutist claims. . . . Now faith in Jesus has come to be known as pro-rich, pro-war, and pro-American.

And yet in the name of this loving Christ, some of the most vicious acts of exclusion are perpetrated. . .

. . . [exclusivity] is the source of the most deadly conflicts over the centuries down to this present hour. . . We have mounted deadly crusades against Muslims, and Christians have killed other Christians in the brutal wars of religion—all in the name of bringing others to the correct understanding of how God is uniquely known in Jesus Christ.