Interfaith - a large pill to swallow

Today in a discussion regarding faith I was asked about my own journey to the present day. My rather truncated explanation sounded more like a site seeing tour from Catholicism to Wicca, to Hinduism, to the Hari Krishna's, to various types of Buddhism and back to Christianity with many stops along the way. At the conclusion of which I was asked, "Yes, but you like Christianity best, right?"
I didn't really know what to say.
I often (wrongly) assume that having an interfaith view of God and the spiritual life is a perfectly normal perspective. However, as I was reminded today, while looking into the hopeful face of this lovely woman, it is not a "normal" perspective and for many the very idea of Interfaith is too large a pill to swallow.

To me it will never be a matter of which religion I like best. The fact that I choose to be a part of a Christian faith community does not mean a choice to stop learning or growing. The knowledge and peace I have gained through my own spiritual journey is the greatest reward I could ask for.
I have experienced the beauty of so many forms of liturgy and ritual, been overwhelmed with joy by singing hymns and chanting mantras in a variety of languages. Often while reading scripture of various faiths I must stop for a long period and just sit, to consider how I feel about what is written. Often I am confused, angered, challenged by what I read which forces me to consider my own cultural and religious ideals and prejudices.The more we learn about other faiths the more we understand others, thus breaking down the barriers of culture, sexuality, class, language or even simply geography. When we can open our hearts and minds enough to learn about the faith of another we inevitably learn more about our own.

For me it was by reading about the monastic life of Buddhist monks that brought me back to Christianity. I was explaining to a collegue what I was reading and he said, "Well if you are interested in monasticism you must read Thomas Merton."
So I did and what I encountered was not at all the Catholicism that I was raised with. I couldn't believe it. Here was a man talking about meditation, contemplation, austerity, compassion. So I read more and more. It was then I discovered the incredible book, Living Buddha Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. My eyes were opened to the immeasurable similarities between the teachings of the Buddha and of Jesus and I wanted to know more. A new world was opening up in front of me, maybe I didn't need a label, maybe I could love the words of Christ and the saints as much as that of the Buddha or any Hindu sage. The more I learned, the closer to God I felt and the happier I became.

I know now I am only just scratching the surface, my journey is only just beginning. I also know that Interfaith spirituality is not for everyone. We all need boundaries, ways of identifying ourselves that allow us to feel comfortable and accepted.
My hope is that through Interfaith dialogue we will find a common voice to reach out, not only to those who suffer persecution but also to those who persecute. That we will one day see the divine in all people and maybe take a small step towards peace.

Namaste