Religion Gone Astray

Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman—now known as the Interfaith Amigos—started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, is former minister and head of staff at University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle.Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, and Imam Jamal Rahman—now known as the Interfaith Amigos—started working together after 9/11. Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor to audiences in the US, Israel-Palestine, Japan and more. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam, brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News and NPR.Their second book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith, probes more deeply into the problem aspects of our religious institutions to provide a profound understanding of the nature of what divides us. Their work is dedicated to supporting more effective interfaith dialogue that can bring greater collaboration on the major social and economic issues of our time.Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, founder of meditative synagogues in Los Angeles and Seattle, is author of A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tree of Life and coauthor of Judaism For Dummies.Imam Jamal Rahman is a beloved teacher and retreat leader whose passion for helping people deepen their spiritual lives and cultivate interfaith understanding has inspired audiences throughout the world. He has been featured in the New York Times, on CBS News, the BBC and many NPR programs. He is cofounder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, adjunct faculty at Seattle University and a former host of Interfaith Talk Radio. He is author of Sacred Laughter of the Sufis: Awakening the Soul with the Mulla's Comic Teaching Stories & Other Islamic Wisdom and Spiritual Gems of Islam: Insights & Practices from the Qur'an, Hadith, Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind (both SkyLight Paths) and The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam; and coauthor of Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi & an Imam and Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith (both SkyLight Paths), among other books.

"Exuberant and courageous … an inspiration and example for us all in these sadly polarized times. It is a reminder that it is possible to reach across the divisions and find not only common cause but hope and affection."—Karen Armstrong, author, A History of God: The 4,000-Year-Old Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and many other best-selling books"Remarkably readable, insightful and even entertaining.… Highly recommended for individuals and groups."—Marcus J. Borg, best-selling author, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith and other books"Part of [the] divine call, helping us to live as neighbors in the blessedness of our shared world…. This is that rarest of books, one that teaches us both how to live and how to live with each other."—Amir Hussain, professor of theological studies, Loyola Marymount University; editor,Journal of the American Academy of Religion"An urgently needed interreligious message for our turbulent age…. Candidly confronts the troubled past, while ultimately providing today's Jews, Christians and Muslims with realistic hope for the future."—Rabbi James Rudin, author, Christians and Jews: Faith to Faith—Tragic History, Promising Present, Fragile Future“Reminds us that when we can lay down our doctrines and share [our] struggles with open minds and hearts, we will find rich relationships and common cause … and love of neighbor … which is the point, after all.”—Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune, founder and senior analyst, FaithTrust Institute“Brings hope-filled proof that interfaith affection and respect are possible in our divided world…. Challenges us to join in as they wrestle more of the hard questions separating God's faithful into disparate camps.”—Phyllis Tickle, compiler, The Divine Hours“Looking at the good, the bad, and the ugly in their respective traditions, these three men of faith will restore your faith in the human spirit. A courageous, open-hearted and immensely generous book.”—Lesley Hazleton, author, After the Prophet and Mary: A Flesh-and-Blood Biography“Once again the three Interfaith Amigos give us an important contribution to interfaith understanding.”—Stuart M. Matlins, co-editor, How to Be a Perfect Stranger:The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook; publisher, Jewish Lights

• PrefaceINTRODUCTIONWhat We Found at the Heart of InterfaithCHAPTER ONEExclusivity: Staking Claim to a One and Only TruthCHAPTER TWOViolence: Justifying Brutality in the Name of FaithCHAPTER THREEInequality of Men and Women: The Patriarchal Stranglehold on PowerCHAPTER FOURHomophobia: A Denial of LegitimacyCHAPTER FIVEUnderneath It All: God and RevelationCONCLUSIONGoing Astray toward Greater MeaningAcknowledgmentsNotesSuggestions for Further Reading