Tom Zimmerman: Value of other religions

The Dec. 25 letter “Only one resurrection” seemed to suggest that the uniqueness of Jesus Christ’s resurrection somehow makes Christianity superior to other religions.

As a Catholic Christian, I am grateful for my religious heritage and for those positive values that it has imparted to me. At the same time, I have come to appreciate that many of the other world religions – Judaism, Islam and Sikhism, to name a few – can be equally as meaningful as Christianity in leading people to a knowledge and love of God and to faith-based service to our fellow human beings.

Casual observation has informed me that Christianity does not have a monopoly on saintliness. Moreover, religions prevalent in other cultures may be more meaningful to the people who profess them than is Christianity.

In God’s sight, I believe that all people are loved and valued equally, regardless of their particular religious tradition. It is time for people of all faiths to acknowledge the value of other religions and to cease claiming superiority of any one religion, an attitude that promotes discord and is the antithesis of love.

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Tom Zimmerman: Value of other religions."