What we need is a bigger church

In your Press Easter basket this morning is a celebration.

And a controversy.

With full-throated joy in the meaning of Jesus’s resurrection, it’s also a matter of celebration that other faiths’ focus extends to the theme of renewal — namely becoming better people.

Think of all religions as being cooperative rather than competitive, seeking to bring out the best in everyone given this incredible gift of life.

Yet, not everyone sees it that way.

The latest controversy in our community’s lap, as if it needed another one, comes compliments of the City of Coeur d'Alene and a group of churches known as the Kootenai County Ministerial Association. There are some splendid spiritual leaders representing large flocks in the association, but they do not speak for all Christian faiths, let alone all faiths with followers in Kootenai County.

Newly elected Coeur d’Alene Mayor Jim Hammond apparently crossed a line the ministerial group did not appreciate. Hammond checked with council members and then invited other churches to join the rotation of giving a brief prayer at the beginning of City Council meetings. Previously, only association members were granted that privilege.

The pushback is reminiscent of an earlier time between the ministerial association and The Press. Every week, the newspaper published a religious column that rotated among ministerial association member pastors.

However, some 18 or so years ago, The Press asked that faiths outside the association — namely, leaders of Catholic churches and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — be included in the column rotation, or at least be given the opportunity to participate.

Sadly, the request was denied. Without a more open and inclusive representation of faiths in our community, The Press discontinued the column. Its disappearance generated little comment, pro or con.

Now, similar concerns rather than hope and spiritual growth are being resurrected. A limited slice of the Christian pie has been served at the City of Coeur d’Alene’s table. Some supporters of that slice have apparently judged the Catholic and LDS faiths as being non-Christian.

Municipal leaders representing all their citizens should not limit the brief meeting-opening prayers to one flavor. In fact, why should Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Bahais, Hindus or others who live in our community be prohibited from saying a public prayer once a year or so?

Understanding and compassion grow with exposure to different thoughts and beliefs. That exposure can validate our core beliefs, and it can also build stronger bonds in a community. Nothing is lost in respectfully sharing our differences; much can be gained.

We applaud Mayor Hammond and the Council for not feeling threatened by broader representation of the people they serve. We can’t help but think Jesus would approve, too.